Malee Sebag
Google
This was our first time ever, as a family of 6 and experiencing Sugar Shack season in the Montreal region (been 15yrs since entering CA!). We landed here as a "fall Back" because our original attempt at Sucrarie de la Montange
Fell apart (search my review several days prior). This review is also to counter/juxtapose several negative reviews that were posted a few hours before this one.
Not knowing what to expect at all, we had a great experience. Making the reservation online was soo seamless, and they took us 40min earlier due to no wait. The cabane is spacious (looks like a summer camp chow hall). Our sever, Nancy, was very helpful and sweet, really trying to help our non French speaking American selves! The food comes in 3 courses. The largest being the second (pig!) course: who knew pig could be chopped up and served like 5 different ways all at once!?!? It was interesting and tasty, and A LOT of food for all of us. The maple themed petit dessert where a delightful hit! We never asked for seconds, and how was that possible? Plus my 4yr old toddlers didn't eat much, only 3 of 6 pea soups were given upon our request. We still took 4 boxes of leftovers home. When the bill came we were charged 2 toddler prices, a big kid price and 3 adult portions. Having worked in food service 25yrs ago, and we had "all you can eat" days, customers would come in and try to milk every dollar from that to "get their money's worth"....AND leave a terrible tip to go with their terrible attitude. Never good for business. So, I'm not sure what the total was, bc my hushand handled the bill this time, but I'm guessing $50pp x 6? And we left a 20% tip.
Then we spent the next 90min enjoying the complimentary/included outdoor activies: little jungle gym, a big field to play ball, a small petting zoo, maple taffy over ice, lovely balloon art and face painting artists. It was a gorgeous sunny cool spring day. It was low key and no pressure to leave... all while country music was playing the whole time (and this city girl didn't mind!) My family left happy, and grateful for the memories made that we get to bring back to NYC. That's what mattered to us.
Some critiques, like anywhere: .... not every worker was a joy (but most seemed cool), hubby and boys said their toilet area smelled worse than expected. Although the outdoor area was fun, it could have been a bit more "fleshed out" and organized. Maybe a mocked up demonstration of what it's like to tap a real maple tree? Or more like those Agritainment Farms we have in the northeast during apple picking season.
I would recommend Sucrarie Bonaventure 100%, and use it has a base point for next year when we come back to try/compare other Sugar Shack venues.