Au Pied de Cochon’s ‘Shack Next Door’ Is Up and Running

The latest from star Montreal chef Martin Picard is here — La Cabane d’à Côté opened its doors in recent days adjacent to the longer-running Au Pied de Cochon sugar shack in St-Benoît-de-Mirabel, 45 minutes outside Montreal.

The “shack next door” is the first new opening in almost a decade for the Au Pied de Cochon founder and creator of foie gras poutine. Although he’s not alone here: one of his longtime chefs Vincent Dion Lavallée is a partner on the project, as is Pied de Cochon co-owner Marc Beaudin.

After its relatively quiet announcement a month ago, there’s still not a whole lot of public information about the restaurant. It’s known that the Cabane d’à Côté will take a more classic approach to Québécois cuisine, relative to the main sugar shack’s “twists” on traditional fare, and an evaporateur on-site will be the medium of choice for cooking that food. But the menu is strictly under wraps until diners arrive (although an Instagram post from a Cabane staffer does indicate that puffy pain de fesse is on the menu).

Even the interior is somewhat of a mystery — Eater has reached out for images and is waiting to hear back.

Those who are in for the surprise will put down a set $56 for the meal (before tax and tip, alcohol is available but not included) — and must dine in a group of four or more. While the original sugar shack is booked out for this season, there’s still a very limited availability. Most of the season (which runs through to mid-May) is full, yet those willing to act quickly can snap up the few remaining tables for this week and weekend.

There’s one other new development since the initial announcement — Au Pied de Cochon is also set to add cottage-style lodging at the site of the two shacks, named La Maison d’à Côté (there’s a theme here). It’ll cost $1,000 per night, but fits 14 people.

STATUS — La Cabane d’à Côté is open at 3595 Montée Robillard in St-Benoît-de-Mirabel from Wednesday to Sunday until May 13.

• La Cabane d’à Côté [Facebook]
• Au Pied de Cochon’s Sugar Shack Is Adding a Second Restaurant [EMTL]