Tomorrow is June 24th. This may be just another day to most of the world's population, but to Quebecers, it means P-A-R-T-Y!
June 24th is known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste day, or la fête nationale du Québec. It's essentially Quebec's national holiday. It's a day off work usually filled with bbq, beer, Québécois music and, if you're lucky, a friend's lakeside cottage.
But what if you're a Québécoise in hostile territory? I have no one around to share a Labatt bleue with, and no bbq to throw a steak on. Who else will walk around with a fleur de lys on their cheek?
Last year I decided to make my own poutine. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great. The lack of cheese curds and instant gravy made the results a little disappointing, but I was so desperate for a good poutine that I wolfed it down happily.
Well I have now been in London close to 6 months and have not had poutine in ages! Therefore, T and I have decided to make a pilgrimage to the Maple Leaf in Covent Garden.
Yes, if I was in Québec I would have rocks thrown at me for daring to enter a Canadian-themed pub called The Maple Leaf on this day of Québécois pride - but these are desperate times people! I've already been warned that they use onion gravy and not beef gravy, so my expectations are slightly low, but I'm willing to give it a try.
If you are a fellow Québécois(e) in London tomorrow help me take over the Maple Leaf and turn it into a little piece of Québec for the day. I need reinforcements!
A full report on this so-called poutine later in the week.
The Maple Leaf Pub
41 Maiden Lane,
London, WC2E 7LJ
Tube: Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Charing Cross
June 24th is known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste day, or la fête nationale du Québec. It's essentially Quebec's national holiday. It's a day off work usually filled with bbq, beer, Québécois music and, if you're lucky, a friend's lakeside cottage.
But what if you're a Québécoise in hostile territory? I have no one around to share a Labatt bleue with, and no bbq to throw a steak on. Who else will walk around with a fleur de lys on their cheek?
Last year I decided to make my own poutine. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great. The lack of cheese curds and instant gravy made the results a little disappointing, but I was so desperate for a good poutine that I wolfed it down happily.
Well I have now been in London close to 6 months and have not had poutine in ages! Therefore, T and I have decided to make a pilgrimage to the Maple Leaf in Covent Garden.
Yes, if I was in Québec I would have rocks thrown at me for daring to enter a Canadian-themed pub called The Maple Leaf on this day of Québécois pride - but these are desperate times people! I've already been warned that they use onion gravy and not beef gravy, so my expectations are slightly low, but I'm willing to give it a try.
If you are a fellow Québécois(e) in London tomorrow help me take over the Maple Leaf and turn it into a little piece of Québec for the day. I need reinforcements!
A full report on this so-called poutine later in the week.
The Maple Leaf Pub
41 Maiden Lane,
London, WC2E 7LJ
Tube: Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Charing Cross
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