As March arrives, the sugaring-off season begins in earnest, and Montréal’s cultural calendar reaches a fever pitch. This week, we celebrate the return of spring’s sweetest tradition with a pilgrimage to the legendary Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon, where excess is an art form. Back in the city, the stages are set for a diverse and thrilling week of music, from punk-rock legends and Québécois singer-songwriters to Canadian indie royalty and metal’s new vanguard. It’s a week of abundance in every sense.
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🍱 Restaurant of the Week: Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon
📍 Address: 11382 Rang de la Fresnière, Mirabel, QC J7N 2R9
Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon is not merely a restaurant; it is a culinary pilgrimage site, a temple of abundance and excess dedicated to the glorious marriage of Québécois sugar shack tradition and high gastronomy. Founded in 2008 by the iconic chef Martin Picard, this legendary spot redefined the maple syrup experience, transforming a rustic rite of spring into a multi-course feast of staggering creativity and decadence. Now under the stewardship of Martin’s nephew, chef Philippe Picard-Labelle, the Cabane continues its mission of pushing boundaries, celebrating local terroir, and leaving guests in a state of blissful, food-induced awe.
Atmosphere & Décor
The journey begins the moment you arrive at the rustic location in Mirabel. Inside the large, magnificent log dining room, guests are seated at long, communal tables, fostering a spirit of shared gluttony and festive camaraderie. The space, which can accommodate just under a hundred guests, feels both authentically rustic and intentionally designed, with a grand painting by artist Marc Séguin hanging above the fray. For a more exclusive experience, three VIP tables, including one situated right in the kitchen, offer a front-row seat to the orchestrated chaos.
🍽️ The Experience: A Gargantuan Feast
Dining at the Cabane is not a meal; it’s an event. The formula is one of pure, unapologetic abundance—wave after wave of dishes, each more decadent than the last. The menu changes with the season, but the spirit remains constant.
The feast unfolds over multiple services. A typical progression might include:
- First Courses: A layered cake of foie gras, maple, and pistachios; the classic, soul-warming pea soup; a souffléd omelette with trout and herbs.
- Main Event: The legendary maple ham from La Boucannerie, served alongside pancakes fried in duck fat. Then, the pièce de résistance: a whole roasted guinea fowl (head included), accompanied by cabbage cigars stuffed with duck, baked beans, and a warm rapini “salad.”
- The Dessert Assault: A towering, seemingly endless parade of sweets: apple and maple mousse, maple ice cream with shortbread and taffy bears, pecan and maple pie, and the iconic St-Benoit cheese wheel filled with maple butter and cotton candy.
The seasonal menu also features rotating delights like gravlax trout with maple, ham and cheese croissant in the style of a jambon-beurre, and wine-braised baked beans with beef.
🍷 Drinks to Match
The beverage program is as thoughtfully excessive as the food. The wine list is comprehensive, featuring both grand formats in magnums and more approachable natural wines. A highlight is the house-made Touski sparkling cider from the Au Pied de Cochon cidery, whose sharp acidity is a perfect foil for the rich, fatty, and sweet parade of dishes. The bar also showcases the team’s own spirits, including chili vodka and Mononcle’s Gin, in creative cocktails.
Why You Should Go
Because Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon is a singular, unforgettable experience that defines Québécois gastronomic audacity. It is a celebration of excess, a tribute to the land, and a testament to the power of food to bring people together in joy and wonder. Securing a reservation is a feat in itself—they open December 1st for the following spring season and vanish almost instantly. If you are lucky enough to get a seat, prepare for a feast that will be talked about for years.
🔗 Visit the Au Pied de Cochon Group Website
📖 View the Seasonal Menu
📝 Read the Tastet review
🎤 Performances of the Week
🤘 Rise Against at L’Olympia
Legendary punk-rock band Rise Against brings its signature blend of melodic hardcore and powerful social commentary to L’Olympia for two nights. Known for anthems like “Prayer of the Refugee” and “Savior,” their live shows are a cathartic, high-energy experience. Joined by Destroy Boys and Koyo, this is a must for punk fans.
📍 Venue: L’Olympia, 1004 St-Catherine Est
🗓️ Date & Time: Thursday, March 5, 2026 — 7:30 PM (Doors: 6:00 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🎵 Lou-Adriane Cassidy at MTELUS
Presented as part of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, acclaimed Québécois singer-songwriter Lou-Adriane Cassidy brings her “Triste Animal” tour to MTELUS. With her poignant lyrics, captivating stage presence, and a voice that channels both vulnerability and strength, Cassidy is one of the most compelling new voices in Francophone music.
📍 Venue: MTELUS, 59 St Catherine Est
🗓️ Date & Time: Friday, March 6, 2026 — 8:00 PM (Doors: 6:30 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🎸 Sloan at Le Studio TD
Canadian indie-rock royalty Sloan hits the road for their “A Tour de Force,” stopping at Le Studio TD as part of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE. With a catalog spanning decades and a legendary power-pop sound, the band’s live show is a masterclass in melody and harmony. Expect to hear classics from every era of their celebrated career.
📍 Venue: Le Studio TD, 305 rue Sainte-Catherine West
🗓️ Date & Time: Friday, March 6, 2026 — 8:00 PM (Doors: 7:00 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🎤 Louis-Jean Cormier at MTELUS
Beloved Québécois artist Louis-Jean Cormier performs at MTELUS as part of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE. The former frontman of Karkwa, Cormier is a masterful songwriter and performer whose solo work, including his album “Les Entretoits,” is celebrated for its poetic depth and musical richness. A sublime evening awaits.
📍 Venue: MTELUS, 59 St Catherine Est
🗓️ Date & Time: Saturday, March 7, 2026 — 8:00 PM (Doors: 6:30 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🔥 Bad Omens at Place Bell
Presented by Heavy MTL, metalcore sensation Bad Omens headlines Place Bell on their “Do You Feel Love North American Tour.” Known for their genre-bending sound, massive production, and anthemic tracks, they are one of the most exciting bands in modern metal. Joined by Beartooth and PRESIDENT, this is a monumental show for heavy music fans.
📍 Venue: Place Bell, Laval
🗓️ Date & Time: Sunday, March 8, 2026 — 7:00 PM (Doors: 6:00 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
📚 Sources
