The start of the school year. “Boom.” This powerful word that evokes both the end of summer and the scent of nostalgia that fills us inside and the return to a routine that honestly feels good. A daily framework that puts everything in order, after months of rest and relaxation that were beneficial and necessary, and which inevitably involve obligatory expenses that suffocate our already tight wallets.
We needed a month more lightness! A month full of sunshine and festive meals. We will have it, thanks to the Labonté family, which is launching a menu at really affordable prices throughout September in its four beautiful restaurants of the Dix30 group.
Children, let’s go to a restaurant!
You should have seen the faces of my children as I greeted them with trumpets during the last days of vacation before an autumn in which lunch begins again, in which spontaneous excursions are rare, in which we go to bed early and in which we empty the refrigerator, would like to acknowledge in reinventing the leftovers: “We’re finally going to the restaurant!” Not too big, but so exciting.
The Theater Café
The Labonté family’s head of organizational development and special projects, Andréanne Caron-Labonté, made this turnaround possible with the La Rencontre des Chefs project. A real treat for the customers of one of their four establishments, allowing them to go to the restaurant with their friends without breaking the bank.
The reality of costs is no less difficult for restaurant owners than it is for families, and the experience they provide through the end of the month seemed surreal to me. So let’s talk specifically about the price. At each of their restaurants, La Tomate Blanche, L’Aurochs Steakhouse-Salle à manger and L’Aurochs Steakhouse-Espace, you can enjoy a three-course family meal for $45. And beware at Le Café du Théâtre Brasserie Française, two courses for $40 for lunch and dinner, including dessert. And the highlight: a selection of wine at half price. Let’s face it, this is what we’re talking about.
The white tomato
Please again, Mom!
We treated ourselves to a tour of the Grand Dukes where the aromas overwhelmed us. How can I tell you that harvest season is my favorite season? I can’t get over the zucchini and tomato cream. I would have taken a dozen mason jars to take it out.
As someone who rarely eats meat, I chose the classic roast beef with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and mustard sauce, hoping not to share my dish with others. Failure… my kids ate from my plate. Which didn’t stop her from rolling around in duck tagliatelle with the right mix of mushrooms and chanterelles, cherry tomatoes, small weights and generous chunks of mozzarella.
Finally, we played the musical plate, our game that allows us to sample each person’s dessert, chocolate cake, chocolate fondant and cheesecake, with me mentally telling myself that the bill is the same as before. Let’s take advantage of it.
Aurochs Steakhouse