Everyone’s
darling for romance, relaxation and fabulous food
by Nancy Snipper
It’s
nearly impossible to find that perfect getaway – one that fills to the brim your
personal bucket list, but if you love discovering hidden treasures in places of
uncompromising beauty – then head towards Mont Rigaud’s greatest hospitality
gem: Auberge
des Gallant. Ranked within the elite group of Champêtre Hotels/Resorts,
this unique four-season country inn offers immeasurable rewards. Yes, it’s a
bit off the beaten path, but the good news is, it’s only 50 minutes from Montreal (almost all highway), and just over an hour from Ottawa.
Once there, you’ll instantly begin to unwind.
A peaceful cocoon
Nestling on 400 acres of wooded mountain land, the inn
enthrals with its surrounding natural wonders. Gardens, ponds, streams,
secretive pathways and trees, sweetened by birdsong greet all guests every day.
Every morning, I would open the sliding glass doors of
my spacious bedroom, step outside onto the room’s private walk out - coffee in
hand – and watch the birds dart about. Gazing into the gorgeous horizon became
my daily ritual. Rooms on the second floor have balconies. No view is
compromised.
The cedar façade of Auberge des Gallant blends in beautifully
with the landscape.
On April 12th, 2012, a fire destroyed all existing
guest rooms. However, this inn – once a century-old farmhouse is fated for
longevity. Thanks
to Linda Gallant’s tasteful vision, perseverance and talents - (she owns the
inn with her husband Gérard who bought it in 1972) – all the guest rooms were
flawlessly rebuilt. The expansion of a new wing made it possible to add more.
Now 41 rooms - all designed in a calming contemporary style feature comfort and
understated luxury. There’s even a fireplace, oodles of accessories, and the floors
have special hyper-allergic tiles!
Linda knew where to draw the line. She ensured the
integrity and character of the inn’s older areas were preserved – the
reception, dining and hearth areas. This appealing contrast between the old and new occurred
each time I left my room. Entering that Victorian area was like time traveling.
The vintage décor, fireplace and furniture cast a nostalgic spell over me; I
had the best of both worlds.
A quintessential Quebec tradition that the Gallant family
shares with thousands of sugaring off enthusiasts is the family’s enormous sugar
shack. It s walls were built from the maple trees that fell during the 1998 ice
storm.
Linda pointed out that the Auberge des Gallant’s location enjoys an
enviable micro-climate which allows the family to be the first in the province
to tap the 10,000 maple trees that stride their vast terrain. The sugaring off starts at the end of February
and lasts until April end. Steven Gallant, one of three sons, is the maple
expert and oversees all forest operations. He’s the ‘family tree man” – so to
speak.
All Gallant maple products use only 100% pure maple
syrup.
I feasted
on a traditional sugar shack meal, but this one was gourmet delicious. Neil
Gallant, Gérard’s son is the Executive Chef of the Auberge, and Michael,
another brother helps prepare the food and maple taffy. Together with Chef Linda Del Rosario, they
make maple-sugar magic. It filtered into almost every dish - the tortière,
beans, even the amazing coleslaw dressing.
The desserts were astounding:
Maple sugar
pie, sugar cake topped with a creamy maple icing, apple crepe soaking in
caramelized maple.
Even the poor man’s pudding cake was rich in maple flavour.
My sweet tooth ached for more. I dipped my stick of maple
taffy into snow set on a table just outside the restaurant.
A horse-drawn wagon
takes visitors back and forth between the inn and the sugar shack though they
are within walking distance. No wonder people climb aboard: it’s hard to walk
back after so much eating!
Easter brunch feast
Every
Sunday, Auberge des Gallant serves up a brilliant brunch, and on special occasions,
the brunch becomes a humongous, sumptuous affair. Fortunately, I was there
during Easter. What I witnessed was exceptional. Over 400 people gathered
around the three banquet tables during the two reserved seating times, yet I
never felt hemmed in.
The choices were staggering.
Cold platters included over
30 dishes: poached and smoked salmon, jumbo shrimp, clam chowder, mussels,
devil’s eggs, a multitude of salads, regional cheeses, veggies and more.
The
middle table offered eggs Benedict, sausages, roast beef, lasagne, mini
pancakes. The line-up of tureen-filled dishes seemed endless. The desserts
were sinfully addictive – a sweet feast beyond imagination. White chocolate lemon cheese cake, the army
of tarts, mini fruit mousses, sugar pies, pecan pies and many maple creations –
they were all irresistible. There was even a chocolate syrup swirl machine set
up at the fresh fruit table – just to tempt those of us on a diet. Too bad
Henry the Eighth couldn’t attend.
A magnificent dinner
Aside
from these special feasts, the inn's dining room offers stunning menus for breakfast, lunch
and dinner, along with a wine list featuring 270 kinds from almost every
country and at every price.
I opted for a dinner that represented the quality
and creative talents of Gallant gourmet greatness. Neil, together with
sommelier Thomas Le Guilly and Maitre d’ Mario Menard, have won countless
prestigious awards. The Neige Superstar,
an aperitif of pear and apple ciders with a star of anise floating inside won top
awards in a contest created by Hôtellerie Champêtre which involved creating a
drink made from a special apple from Hemmingford, Quebec. Auberge des Gallant beat
out 20 other hotels, and now this delicate drink is exclusive to the inn.
The
lamb shank I ordered was out of this world. The cooking reduction technique created
tenderness and delicate flavouring.
This main course was paired with a tangy
Shiraz 2006 Raices from Spain.
The crispy, onion and ginger jumbo shrimp was my awesome appetizer. It was complemented
by a glass of white refreshingly flavored Bordeaux. I chose the maple crème brulée for
dessert. It was heavenly.
Into the forest
So
much eating necessitates exercise. The outdoors beckoned me. Right on the
premises is L’Escapade, a 25-kilometre network of walking trails. Deer, ducks,
wild turkeys and Canadian geese can be seen here.
I spent three hours trying to
walk off half of the meal. It was a truly enjoyable way to trick myself into
thinking I had shed a pound. Instead, I
felt stiff the next morning.
Spa time
The
two words I have to say about this serene spot located on the second floor is: “go
there”! The spa is quiet and unpretentious. All kinds of facial and
corporal renewal therapies are offered using 100% natural products. There are
eight different kinds of massages. Optional exfoliants listed are a strawberry
smoothie, margarita lime, even a chocolate one!
Massotherapist,
Véronique Bélanger gave me the most sublime Swedish massage – even adding extra
time to my 50 minutes of heaven. She was determined I not leave with knots
still lingering in my shoulder blades. She used a tapping technique for each
trouble spot. She tapped away for 15 minutes, but she still had the energy to
give me a full body massage.
Her gentle manner lulled me into a state
of great relaxation. My aches were gone.
Wedding bells and conferences
This
year, Auberge des Gallant will host over 100 weddings. The grounds are
spectacular - perfectly suited for such a romantic and momentous day in one’s
life.
There are a variety of weddings packages. The simple No Stress one got my attention. Pizzazz picks up in the Vegas Style Package. It offers lots of pampering, including makeup application for both
bride and groom, a massage, an event planner, a wedding officiant and witness –
not to mention oodles of romantic perks.
Of course the gourmet food and wines
can be enjoyed right on the premises. By the way, there’s a helicopter landing
pad for those arriving by air, but as Linda says:
“Each
guest is equally important.”
Because
the inn has five gleaming white conference rooms, including two grand salons,
the sky’s the limit for event planning.
Three of the rooms are cozy and
charming. But all rooms come with a fireplace and TV. Sweet private sitting
areas off hallways are demurely romantic. The one near the entrance was my
favorite. It was cozy and utterly charming. I could see myself hosting a tea
party there. The huge pub-style room downstairs was perfect for casual birthday
parties.
Whether
you want a big wedding, a small reception or a brain-storming business meeting -
whatever you plan - you will not be sitting in a cold barren room around some
impersonal round table – that’s the Gallant guarantee.
Auberge
des Gallant is pet friendly. Leashes are provided. I fell in love with their
dog, Roscoe, a lab mix who loves to hang out with the gang, accompany you to
the pond or wait for you to throw him a stick. In winter, the Auberge can fit
you out with snowshoes. Auberge des Gallant my favorite place for respite and
remarkable food.
I
could have stayed on and on.
For
all information, including directions, services and facilities, room and meal
rates, plus all packages, please consult Auberge des Gallant’s extremely
comprehensive website at www.gallant.qc.ca.
