Whenever traveling between Maine and Quebec City, instead of stopping en route for that ubiquitous fast-food cheeseburger, I savor a taste of Quebec at Les Pères Nature in St. Georges. Fresh, flavorful foods with an authentic regional accent fill this combination market, gelato bar, café, and fine dining restaurant housed in a cheery orange, blue, and yellow building with can’t-miss mural and a windmill (really!).
Eat, dine, picnic, or nibble at Les Peres Nature
I usually create a picnic to enjoy at either an indoor or outdoor table or along the riverfront by pairing buttery, flaky croissants or a crusty baguette with Quebec farmstead cheeses–try the tomme de Kamouraska, a semi-soft raw sheep’s milk cheese, the migneron de Charlevoix, a semi-soft cow’s milk cheese, or the rassembleu, a raw milk bleu. Complement these with fresh fruit, smoked salmon, housemade pâtés, terrines, and confections.
Sometimes, I opt for selection from the salad bar or prepared foods counter, maybe a smoked-meat sandwich. But I always finish with a scoop from the ice cream/gelato counter or something delicious from the eye-candy dessert case.
When I’m craving a hot meal, sometimes I’ll duck into Le P’tit Grand Café, serving crepes and omelets, croissants and beans for breakfast and a set three-course menu for lunch. I’ve yet to enjoy a leisurely meal in what many have told me is one of the region’s finest, white-tablecloth restaurants, La Table du Junior at Père Nature, serving regional French fare for lunch and dinner. The choices are extensive, but a fixed-price menu is available.
Pick up delicious souvenirs at Les Peres Nature
En route home, in addition to stocking up on cheeses and other goodies, I always pick up a Quebec meat pie to warm and serve as a taste-full souvenir. This time, I also purchased a Tortierre du Saguenary, which is currently warming in the oven. Pared with a salad, I expect to replicate a night in one of Quebec City’s traditional restaurants. C’ést bon!
Père Nature in St. Georges is two-minutes off Route 173, about an hour north of Jackman, Maine. Turn west (toward the river) at the traffic light with Canadian Tire. Just look for the windmill. Bon appétit!
