I was self-isolating up north a few weeks ago and I was able to eat only thanks to Petits Oignons'…read morepick-up service, which they offered at a time when most stores were not. They have a small store on their farm in Brebeuf but this review is for their general store located along the 117, slightly north of St-Jovite and the big grocery stores. I love their emphasis on local and organic produce. In addition to selling vegetables from their own farm, they partner with multiple producers in the region, so I can always find fresh eggs or chicken that was raised in the next town over. They also try to be as zero-waste as possible, offering flours, nuts, coffee, etc in bulk, which is not easy to find in this area. The pick-up concept is simple- you make a list of items you need and someone does your groceries while you're on the phone with them. I was really grateful because one of the employees spent over 10 minutes on the phone with me and made a lot of suggestions when something was missing. It's a small store but they have everything you may need, from fruits & vegetables, frozen meats, dairy products to shampoo bars and cleaning products. The pick-up service is free but delivery costs $15 and they only deliver within a 15m radius. My order was ready within a few hours and I picked it up on their porch. It was safe and it felt nice to know that my parsnip didn't travel a billion km before ending up in my basket.

1500th review. Full thoughts in the blog. A $35 destination meal. Highlights below…read more Located in Plantagenet, Ontario - a small town approximately an hour east of Ottawa Mariposa Farm likely doesn't register a blip on most 'foodie' radars, but to fans of duck, goose, and particularly foie gras it is a name that should be synonymous with a Homer Simpson-esque drooling sound. Set in the rolling countryside where the quacks and honks of Barbarie ducks and Embden geese are the only sounds punctuating the serenity of hundreds of acres Mariposa is a functional farm for168 hours a week - but for two hours each Sunday it is also a $38 three-course prix fixe brunch for ~40-50 diners lucky enough to experience Chef Mark Currier's handling of the farm's bounty. The Service: Having already met one half of the ownership team, Ian Walker serves as the dining room's host, captain, and maître d'. A pleasant man more than happy to share a story the rest of the service falls in line - each dish delivered hot from the kitchen with both the servers and Ian stopping by frequently to check in and make sure you haven't any wants or needs aside from, perhaps, a little more history about the farm or their many travels to farms across North America. Foie Gras Mousse Crepe with Apple Blue Cheese Salad and Parsnip Mustard: While the ladies were welcome to skip on the very reason we traveled to Mariposa Farm, I most certainly was not - I came for foie gras and with the rich liver in this case pureed into a smooth mousse and stuffed into a buckwheat crepe I can say without a doubt it was worth the drive. Starting first with the pancake, delicate yet toothsome and moving on to its ample filling the wooden board was further dressed with thin slices of sour Granny Smith apples tossed with bitter greens, black pepper, and funky blue cheese while a light layer of smashed parsnip tinged with mustard added a subtle heat. An excellent composition served in ample portion and touching on nearly every part of the palate it would not be hyperbole to say this was the best savory crepe I've ever tasted. Bison Flank Grilled and BBQ with Pulled Pork Mashed Potatoes, Black Pepper Aioli, Duck Reduction, Carrots: Served 'pink' but so lean that it was as dry as my aunt generally prefers in her well-done steaks the overall flavor of this particular cut was not dissimilar to prime rib and with the rich aioli and duck jus serving to add both fat and flavor the richness of the dish was bumped up another notch by the locally grown smashed potatoes mixed nearly 50/50 with savory BBQ pork. An overhand smash of flavors with both my mother and I fancying the potatoes over our respective carbohydrates my aunt ate nearly all of the flank on her own - another testament to the quality of the proteins coming from Mariposa's wood grill. Duck Confit Leg glazed with Maple Mustard with Sunchoke Spaetzel, Carrots and Rhubarb Reduction: Again noting that our trip to Mariposa was predicated on their signature birds I overlooked the fact that mustard was included in both my appetizer and my main course and simply smiled and savored the subtlety of it as enjoyed one of the best duck confit dishes I've had in recent memory. Reportedly rendered in duck fat for 8 hours prior to a brief visit to the wood oven the phrase "falling off the bone" came to mind with each bite and with a sweet lacquered exterior that literally crunched on mastication before the succulent interior melted in the mouth the accoutrements hardly even mattered aside from adding a touch of fibrous vegetal undertone to help balance the otherwise intense richness of the fowl. Quebec Cheese Plate with Apple Cranberry Puree - Unable to buy many of Quebec's raw and unpasteurized options in The United States I just couldn't justify passing this up for a mere brownie and with each cheese impressive while the Tomme de Joyeux was a sort of revelation in its floral sweetness I don't regret my choice one bit - particularly as some of the better restaurants in Montreal focused their collection on non-domestic options. The Verdict: If one were to rank restaurants as Michelin does with the concept of "excellent cuisine, worth a detour" constituting two-stars then by simple default of location Mariposa would garner deux etoiles even though the setting, service, and concept certainly are not targeting such lofty goals. Focused on rustic cuisine made on a hearth by a passionate team of people hosting weekly brunch in their home Mariposa Farm remains to this day the meal my mother remembers most fondly from our trip to Canada and while I cannot quite share that degree of enthusiasm considering some of the other meals we had I would not hesitate even a second to return or to give it my strongest recommendation for others in the area - it is definitely a special place committed to doing things not only well, but more importantly doing things the right.

One of my new favourite dining experiences in the World. Mariposa is roughly 40-50 minutes…read moreNorth-East of downtown Ottawa. When I arrived, I passed by a fire and beautiful gardens into a home style restaurant with tall windows from the floor to the ceiling. The kitchen is open style so you can see the food being prepared. When you arrive, they ask you to choose an appetizer, main and dessert. One of the toughest choices you will ever have to make. Most of the food comes fresh from the farm. They are known for their foie gras, which was spectacular. Note that you need to book a reservation at least one week in advance as they only serve lunch once a week on Sunday's. It is worth the wait. Also BYOB. After we ate, the owner, Ian, happily gave us a tour of the barn and grounds. There was also a trail to take a walk down to top it all off. I look forward to going back!

If you're passionate about organic farming, organic food and buying local then you definitely owe…read moreit to yourselves to know about Windmill Point Farms and the work of Dr. Ken Taylor. Doc Taylor was also the subject of the NFB film, "Organic Prophecies". With a PhD in chemistry, Doc Taylor is no slouch when it comes to looking at the ills of agro-business, genetically modified seeds and produce and the effects on human and environmental health. You can read about Doc Taylor and his work here: http://eap.mcgill.ca/MagRack/SF/Summer%2093%20S.htm You can purchase organic seeds and or seedlings through the website but I personally prefer going out to the farm and looking over the vegetables and fruits myself and even chat with Doc Taylor. He runs the farm with his family and they are very nice and interesting people to talk to who are also concerned citizens and put their money where their mouth is.

So the story goes, I have been frequenting Marche Jean Talon for years and I noticed a few weeks…read moreago that the first crop of summer strawberries was in. I purchased some for $12 for a smaller 2L type basket where I was feeling a bit gouged! On the box they were indicated they came from Fraisebec which is right near my house (but I had never visited). So one fiery hot summer Saturday in June we decided to go check this place out. For the record it's 12 min from my house which is awesome point #1. Awesome point #2 is the fact that it is $8 for a 3L basket which you can stuff as many strawberries in as physically possible. Basically if you pile them up strategically you can put around 4L per basket. The terrain for U-Pick is quite large and it's a nice feeling to be out in the country especially in the summer. Doing the crab crawl for strawberries may not be everyone's cup of tea. It's a great family activity with young kids. The day we went we got there around 10 am. *****Pro tip #1 if you want the wide open fields to yourself go early in the morning. They did have hay in between the strawberry patch as it was a bit muddy. ******Pro tip #2 Rubber boots or old shoes recommended as it can be quite wet mud. I did notice there was an outhouse if you need a restroom pause. No issue for guys. If this is not to your fancy then head to the washroom before or work to refrain from liquids. If you can't handle it there is a Tim Hortons and McDonald's just off the 640 in Terrebonne 10 min away. Overall we will be back as we had a great experience. Great value and tasty strawberries!

They are one of the only to be open for strawberry picking this early in June and it's a great…read morething. I don't understand why people go strawberry picking when it's super hot and sunny. You will only get sunburnt on weird place and be uncomfortable really soon. Plus the place risk to be crowded with other people like you, in near boiling point. Go on an almost rainy day with good footwear and you will have an open field you for you. For a small fee you have a bucket and you are let loose to go and strawberry picking. You can obviously stuff your face, but I would recommend to fill your bucket and then eat. Otherwise you risk to eat now the pretty one and then because you had your fill just grab some ugly one just to get out. My only complaint is pretty major: You only have access to porta potty. I just can't even. When I went, it was really clean and sentless. However in the middle of the summer with a bundle of kids. That are going to touch their food after. The location makes it almost impossible to go at a nearby McDonald's. Call me Miss Fancy Pants, but I just can't give a 5 star to a place with chemical toilets.

While staying in Montebello, we decided to visit Parc Omega, this reserve for assorted wild animals…read morethat enables you to drive through a car trail, where you can even feed select animals. It was a super time, even though not all the animals in the park come in close proximity to your vehicle. The park provides English and French FM radio narrations with interesting details accompanying you while advancing along the car trail. My family had been here 11 years before, but the last trip I made to a place like this was NJ's Jungle Habitat in my teens. They knew to bring along bags of carrots, since you can feed certain animals. (If you don't BYOC, i.e., "Bring Your Own Carrots," you can buy them there.) You're mostly limited to deer type animals and discouraged from feeding males, since it's mating season. That being said, the male deer seemed docile and everyone disregarded that instruction. (Of course, do so at your own risk!) With different habitats, there were wild boar, bears, white wolves, caribou, to name a few - but we didn't feed these. The park staff does keep those all well fed. An Alpine Ibex did approach our car, eager for carrots. We did bypass the petting zoo portion, due to adjacent parking lots being full. While I would have enjoyed looping around a 2nd time, the others were frustrated with the traffic and decided it was time. Even though we tried to avoid the peak times, it seemed that wasn't the case. Definitely, Parc Omega is a wonderful experience, more engaging than a zoo. It's especially great fun for kids of all ages!!!

It's a half day trip and there is lots of chance to feed the deer and moose. Make sure that you…read morebring lots of carrot to feed the animals. The park also sell carrots in the park for $2 a pound. There are few different activities in the park. I join the wolves introduction and the wolves pack is there to see . Food is mainly fries or poutine. It took 40 mins to order and get the food. There are also tractor ride and jumping castle.

La Maison Lavande in Saint- Eustache is one of my favorite places to take a drive to when visiting…read moreMontreal. It's best visited in July or August to fully enjoy the lavender fields (I can't imagine going any other time). It's absolutely beautiful and such a relaxing spot to hang out with friends or family - very picnic vibes, like a huge open park without the park. It's perfect for photos, seems pet friendly too (saw lots of dogs!), and you have to try the lavender ice cream. It's so good! Don't forget to stop by the gift shop for lovely home items before you leave. And, don't forget to check their website for entry fees before you go.

First time here at La maison Lavande! Just beautiful! You can bring your own little picnic! Kids…read morefriendly place! You can take lots of pictures! Provide big chairs and couch for pictures and relaxing. Beautiful scenery! Will be back next year! Recommend this place

Terra Perma is a multifunctional site tucked away in the only pesticide free county of the…read moreprovince. There are eco-lodges, food forest/gardens, event spaces, a food truck, private lake, hiking trails, permaculture courses/workshops, work exchanges, and all kinds of goodies. It's a place to disconnect, as while you have wifi at the central sites, there is no cell coverage where I camp (yay!). My weekend trips are often spent hiking trails, in the kayak/SUP or swimming the private lake. Beware of bugs, come prepared! Particularly in COVID times, it has been a blessing to have a place to escape to that isn't some crowded camp site. It is a phenomenal spot to visit with kids as not only is there no worry of stranger danger, but there is also a play park and water trampoline. Not to mention, dogs are welcome! Want to stay in a Yurt from Mongolia? How about a cabin made of straw? For more details on their eco lodges, check their Air BnB page! Keep in mind this is rustic, most cabins don't have power :)

Nice looking produce with good selection but HORRIBLE service with empty produce bag distributers,…read morestaff that do not know what products are available or not and no toilet. What a disappointment.....

How am I just figuring out this place is about 15 min from my house? I really don't know!!! Took a…read moreleisurely long weekend drive to search for some fresh fruit and veg and came across 3 saisons. Loaded with local produce and fruit which is the jackpot! Prices are reasonable and quality looks good! Basically it is a 3 season country store. Don't you just love the selection in late summer early fall? Holy doodle I'm definitely returning back here!