Gourmet shopping in the Eastern Townships

Brome Missisquoi is literally a vast open-air pantry. Between its vineyards, its orchards, its farm stands and many producers, you’re sure to find everything you need to fill your grocery basket locally. Here’s my own boutique selections where you can discover several gourmet products in the region. I hope they’ll excite your tastebuds as much as mine!

DOMENICA

You don’t need to go all the way to Montreal to find panettone, Buffala mozzarella, fresh pasta and arancini. Domenica Didio has taken a part of Little Italy and brought it to Knowlton. Her daughter Maya prepares all the pastries and creates her charcuterie boards with cured meats and marinated vegetables, each is as appetizing as the next. Buon appetito!

LA RUMEUR AFFAMÉE

This fine food store is a must when visiting the region. Whether in Dunham or in Sutton, you’ll find a vast selection of cheeses, charcuteries, breads, local grocery store products and meals prepared onsite, including sandwiches, quiches and pies. It’s never easy to leave the store with just what I had on my list!

LES JARDINS DE LA COLLINE

From marinades to desserts, prepared meals and jams, in this little shop everything is homemade by owners Sylvie and Raynald. You’ll also find locally produced meat and fresh vegetables from the neighbouring fields. I recommend the witch’s stew, with fresh tagliatelle pasta from Domenica and a glass of red wine you discovered on the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route to make everything taste even better!

LES SUCRERIES DE L’ÉRABLE

Head out to what used to be the general store in Frelighsburg and savour THE best maple syrup pie in the entire world! You prefer pies with fruit filling? You’ll be delighted to discover more than twelve different flavours here. As for the saltier than sweet lovers, they’ll find plenty to satisfy their cravings with the café’s quiches, vegetable and meat pies.

SAVEURS D’ANTAN

Just outside the town of Bedford is where you’ll pamper your tastebuds with all kinds of jams and jellies, maple sugar rolls (the traditional pets de soeurs) and other treats; you’ll also discover homemade, ready-to-eat comfort food. Or, why not order one of their custom-made cakes!

ROUND TOP BAGEL

It all started when the founder of this business, Frédérique Gauld, took on the challenge of finding the best recipe for making bagels. After a successful crowdfunding campaign, and supported by the public’s enthusiasm, Sutton now has a bagel shop worthy of those found in Montreal’s Mile-End. You’ll also find baked beans, homemade smoked meat, fresh pasta, local meat and vegetables. They even have gravlax for breakfast!

BROME LAKE DUCKS BOUTIQUE

Although the oldest Peking Duck farm in all of Canada needs no introduction, you might be interested to know that you can purchase all their products in their boutique. When you drop by the store, take a little time to visit their duck interpretation centre. As for me, with summer just around the corner, I’ll certainly be tempted by a grilled duck breast.