Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
Published on May 11, 2018
Whether for a brunch or a slow breakfast, mornings spent in a restaurant between friends or with your family are truly very special moments. Here are five delicious gourmet options where you can come together in the Eastern Townships.
By Marie-Claude Masse
In Sutton, a few very busy bees work hard to prepare the most delicious breakfasts every day of the week. Le Cafetier is an eco-responsible micro-roasting coffee shop choosing quality over quantity as much for its creative menu as for its friendly and courteous staff. Locals and visitors alike abound on weekend mornings to savour their delicious, classic morning dishes (eggs benedict, omelettes, pancakes, French toast…), which they enhanced with their homemade veggie pâté, jams and muesli, merguez sausages, locally produced maple syrup and Simon Riel’s honey! When the weather allows, why not opt for their sunny terrace and afterwards, explore lively downtown Sutton! If you’re more of a nature lover, we suggest you head to the Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton, Mount Sutton’s network of hiking trails!
For an all-you-can-eat brunch formula, Auberge Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley offers what you’re looking for every Sunday. Early birds will be happy to know that their brunch is offered at a special price from 8 to 9 a.m., later, rates are still very reasonable ($22.00/$11.00 for children of 5 to 11 years of age) considering the many great choices offered. Croissants, homemade pickles, the chef’s choice of soup, rösti, pancakes, scrambled eggs, beans, bacon, sausages, pulled lamb shank confit, pecan pie, various cakes and a chocolate fountain (you should see the kids’ eyes light up when they see it!) are but a few of the treats you’ll savour! Once your appetite is satisfied, go for a walk through Katevale Marsh, an exceptionally rich nature heritage site. You’ll surely spot a few turtles!
For a royal treatment and a refined, impeccable brunch, Sundays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the restaurant of the Manoir Hovey in North Hatley is a must. You’ll find all the classics served throughout the week (French toast, waffles, warm oatmeal, pastries…) plus still more delectable options such as their soup of the moment, chocolate mousse and bread pudding. With its terroir inspired cuisine, its renowned know-how, its close association with local farms, its sumptuous decor and warm welcome, the Hatley restaurant will definitely have you experience an unforgettable moment. After your meal, you can take advantage of their magnificent site, nestled on the magnificent shores of Lake Massawippi.
The not-to-be-missed downtown Sherbrooke’s Auguste restaurant offers the most authentic brunches every weekend from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; you know, the type of menu that offers duck rillettes, black blood sausages and trout gravlax as appetizers! Or, you could try their signature dishes, English-style fried halibut, “steak and eggs” and a local beef tartare! You’ll also find more traditional selections such as eggs Florentine, pancakes and brioches. Whatever your preference, you’ll eat like royalty in a relaxed ambiance. Afterwards, why not take advantage of Wellington Street’s many shops such as the Boutique Joséphine or Belle & Rebelle… Or walk down rue Frontenac to admire the amazing murals?
In this what once was a general store, part of the “Cafés Village” network, you’ll find a brunch menu concocted with our regional specialties, offered inside a friendly atmosphere with the warmest welcome. The Café du Flâneur, located in Saint-Camille, the hub of a colourful fauna, emphasizes the importance of encouraging local producers and centre stages their products in each dish. Whether you choose the “Rang 2” Omelette (wild boar chorizo, cheddar and mushrooms) or the fisherman’s bagel (cold-smoked trout, cream cheese, red onions and capers), you’ll be sure to find a bit of the terroir! Then, under the same roof, fill your eyes by visiting Espace Hortense, where you’ll always discover beautiful visual art exhibits.
