This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
New products, events, temporary activities… Each week, the Plaisirs section brings you gourmet news not to be missed.
Friday meeting
We look forward to them every year and they will be back from June 3: The First Fridays on the Olympic Park esplanade. This street food event is back for a tenth year and, to mark the occasion, a new culinary concept has been developed highlighting the different cultural communities of Quebec: the cultural street. In addition to the kiosks and traditional food counters, a space is reserved for the culinary theme of the month. Mexico will be in the spotlight on June 3.
To present the special Mexico cultural street, Les Premiers Dimanches have chosen as guests of honor Maria Chavez and Hector Veladiz, owners of the Maria Bonita restaurant, located in the heart of Montreal on Saint-Laurent Boulevard for more than 20 years. Other merchants such as Ariz5, Mad Mexican, Arriba Burrito, Calaveras, Mi Corazon, Masa, Andros El Tacos and Lili et Gordo will also be on hand to introduce this fine cuisine to hungry Montrealers.
Other new features this year: a 100% Quebec space made up of local merchants, a new Cuisine libre trailer run by chef Clément Boivin (La cabin next door, Pied de Cochon), local farms and a counter from the Distillerie de Montreal.
A musical atmosphere will be provided thanks to the talent of several DJs, and there will be more than 40 restaurateurs who will offer the best of Montreal street food.
First Fridays, from June 3, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., on the esplanade of the Olympic Stadium, free admission
Cora enters the grocery store
The popular breakfast brand is launching two new pancake mixes: plain and chocolate. To prepare Cora pancakes, simply add milk or the vegetable drink of your choice to the mixture. Two minutes of cooking in the pan are necessary, then it’s served!
“Cora pancakes have been a staple in our restaurants since the very beginning! Plain or with the addition of fruit and various toppings, they are popular with both adults and children who want more. Our wish was to create moments of happiness in the homes of our loyal customers and also to rediscover our pancakes for lovers of good breakfasts”, underlines Mrs. Cora Tsouflidou, the founder.
Pancake preparations are therefore an interesting choice to get out of the routine of a busy weekday morning or for an outdoor lunch, while camping. Cora pancake mixes are available in a 700 g family size, the equivalent of 28 pancakes. The practical format of the resealable packaging allows to preserve the freshness of the product during 12 months.
Available in Quebec supermarkets for $8
A new beer garden in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
Chef Paul Toussaint joins forces with the Belle Gueule brewery to create the experience of a beer garden to Montreal. Since May 17, and for the whole summer, Montrealers can go to 5579 avenue Christophe-Colomb, north of Laurier Park, to enjoy good food and refreshing beers. The pub Aux Quartiers Belle Gueule offers an elegant restaurant-pub with an industrial look, as well as a beer garden lively well hidden amongst graffiti and greenery. Currently, the beer garden Belle Gueule can accommodate more than 200 guests, and thanks to ongoing renovations, the place will eventually be able to seat more than 300 people.
For Paul Toussaint, the creation of the menu for the restaurant-pub Aux Quartiers Belle Gueule, and its beer garden, is an opportunity to use your creativity on carte blanche by drawing inspiration from the beers of the brewery. In this adventure, he will be accompanied, once again, by his sidekick Xavier Richard-Paquet who will be the room manager.
Chef Toussaint will also share his creative responsibilities with Jan-Philippe Barbeau, the brewer at Belle Gueule responsible for research and development of the brewery. Jan-Philippe’s innovative creations can range from German kellerbiers and scotches lagers to unorthodox beers containing ingredients like vanilla, coconut or raspberry. The marriage of the heads of chef Paul and Jan-Philippe Barbeau guarantees the creation of a menu that will satisfy enthusiasts of bold and delicious food and drink.
And what about this menu? Master Armando Vendittozzi’s sizzling BBQ, calzones, sandwich brisket, fish ceviche, grilled quinoa and vegetables, some pizzas, and Paul’s famous and delicious mac and cheese and his world famous jerk chicken. Tantalizing!
The pub Aux Quartiers Belle Gueule and its beer garden are located at 5579 Christophe-Colomb Avenue in Montreal. Tuesday to Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday, noon to midnight.
An exceptional alcohol for Quebec
Inspired by Montreal culture, Fove launches its very first purely Quebec spirit: Acerum blanc, an eau-de-vie made from the fermentation of Quebec maple syrup. Behind the birth of Fove and the launch of its very first fine alcohol is Corinne Cluis, a doctor in molecular biology with more than 20 years of research experience, who has been able to use her background in in-depth knowledge of biochemistry to develop a distinguished first product. True to its name, Fove, from the Latin “warm, cherish, nurture”, promises a range of exceptional spirits finely distilled by craftsmen, offering fresh and subtle flavors in each bottle.
“What interests me is understanding the biological and chemical foundations of the art of distilling, and using research to go even further in the creation of naturally flavored alcohols. In Quebec, in addition to having celebrations and conviviality rooted in our culture, we are more and more fond of local and refined products, inspired from here and elsewhere. I want to include Fove in this movement, of a modern, innovative Quebec close to its territory,” says Corinne Cluis, founder of Fove.
As for the Acerum itself, from the Latin acer (maple) and English rum(rum), it is distinguished by its delicate aromas of crunchy pear and citrus, enhanced with notes of fern, white pepper and sap, to offer a long and unctuous mouth reminiscent of the sweetness of a brown caramel. Like Scotland and its scotch, France and its cognac, Mexico and its mezcal, Acerum is naturally positioned as the alcohol of choice for Quebec.
Available in small batches at the SAQ for $46.50