Where can I find real home-made-style pie in Montreal?

[SpellMan]

I love Montreal, but hailing from Halifax and then spending 10 years in Ontario, I think I've become so accustomed to some kinds of desserts (especially pie) that Montreal's glazed, sugared and super fancy fair leaves me somewhat wistfully yearning for a great slab of home made cherry pie. Or blueberry..or even apple. I just can't find it anywhere in Montreal. Help me someone.

[BRIANTHEFOODUDE]

QUINNS FARM The best apple Pie in the West West West Island
I think its in a city called Rigaud?

[Moosemeat]

They make fantastic pies, and you should get them whil you can. The Farmers Quinn anounced they are planning to retire and sell the farm in the next couple of years.

p.s. They have a pick your own apple orchard, so if you're looking for an activity to do this weekend...
http://www.quinnfarm.qc.ca/

[mainsqueeze]

Is it already apple season?

[Moosemeat]

The Quinn farm website seems to indicate that the first apples matured in late august, and that different varieties will be available into October.
I tend to think of apples as a late Sept. / early Oct. fruit, but I guess it varies from year to year.

[maisonbistro]

We were up in the Eastern Townships for labour day and went to the Monastery to buy some cheese and pick some apples. They were in full swing.

I did try some Macs and Paula Reds at the market yesterday and they just didn't do it for me. I might just have to wait for the first crop of cortlands - YUM

[kpzoo]

Hiya - what monastery? Tell me more!

[Venusia]

I called Verger Lafrance (they also do cider, lots of fun). They have Jersey Macs and Mackintosh right now, and should start Empire, Spartan and Cortland on Sept. 20. I believe the Spartans are the ones with the least pesticide residue.

[maisonbistro]

The benedictine one in St. Benoit sur le Lac. They make their own cheeses and have an apple orchard - pick your own.

Warning- they now also sell apple crumbles and cakes and pies. Not so good (I tried the crumble - what the heck, it's for a good cause)

[kpzoo]

Oooh - that sounds nice, I may have to make a trip, thanks for the info!

How 21st century - the monastery has a Web site. ;-)

http://www.st-benoit-du-lac.com/

Apple-picking info in French only: http://www.st-benoit-du-lac.com/vergers/cueillette2007/cueillette2007.html

And the store:
http://www.st-benoit-du-lac.com/magas...

[maisonbistro]

It really is nice. The orchard isn't too big, but it's certainly big enough. I don't like the new (well it's all relative) part of the church - too modern for me, but that's just a personal architectural comment. The apples are good, and the bleu benedictin quite smooth.

[Lucivious]

To be honest, I've never found a propper pie anywhere in Canada that wasn't home-made. Your best bet would be to endear yourself to a little old lady, and hope she likes baking.

[tonythetoad]

Hey there, I am from New Zealand and i am CRAVING for a goold old MEAT pie :) i have never ever had a decent meat pie this side of the world. Any suggested places to go? I would really apprectiate it. Thanks, Tony

[lagatta]

The Québec tourtière is a kind of meat pie, though not exactly the same as the variety from down under - sorry if I'm a tad ignorant but I don't know if there is a difference between the Aus and NZ varieties...

You can find serviceable tourtières at Première moisson, which has several outlets. The venison one is especially nice. Also a variety of tourtières at various butcher's and food shops at Jean-Talon Market.

[kpzoo]

Hiya, this site mentions a few places to get things like Scottish steak pies, steak & kidney pies, bridies, etc. - scroll down to Scottish Food Suppliers. Not sure how similar these are to what you're craving, though, but might be worth a try!

http://www.scottishvoice.org/communit...

One in particular looks fairly promising, never been there so I can't recommend it first hand though:

Patisserie Lavoilloise
487 90th Ave, Lasalle, 514-366-5151
"Specialties: steak-and-kidney pies, Scottish meat pie (meat, potatoes and onions), bridies (meat-filled pastries) Order the steak-in-kidney pies in advance."

[tonythetoad]

Hey guys, thanks for the quick replies i look foward to trying out these places. I will let you know how the taste test goes. Australian an New Zealand pies are pretty much the same, of course New Zealand pies are a bit better but then you can't expect too much from the aussies. My favourite pie is steak and cheese followed by potatoe top and of course every other flavour.
Cheers,
Tony

[mainsqueeze]

Although I've never eaten them, there are some good-looking pies at La Fournée des Sucreries de l'Érable, situated in the Jean-Talon market. I'm pretty sure they're baked on site?

[MrMuttley]

Having eaten some of the tarts and pies at La Fournee I can report that they are as good as they look with a crust that tells you this is not mass production. The lemon pie (unlike the Tim Horton products) will make your face pucker so all around will know you have been eating lemon. Quebec definitely has a pie culture but the pies are meant to be eaten when the temperature is well below zero and the body needs a jolt of fat and sugar. For those familiar with the American products Quebec tarte aux sucre is much like a smoother fatter sweeter version of sweet potato or bean pie sold on street corners in South Chicago. Because South Chicago size pants are so hard to find in Montreal I try to stay away a much as possible but wow they are good pies!!!

MrMuttley

[buttie]

For a great key lime pie mailbu on Monkland a store bought one try farmers market pies ......theyare amazing.....

[moh]

I had the pie from Eatz Encore (4824 Sherbrooke West) in Westmount. I tried apple and blueberry. I thought they were excellent. They were classic fruit pies. Hope that helps!

[carswell]

Quebec doesn't really have a pie culture, especially a fruit pie culture. I've never found a fruit or nut pie here that begins to approach good homemade. The crusts are always a letdown.

[chilipepper]

When it's in season, pumpkin pie at Au Pain Dore....mmmmm
Also their lemon pie whenever they have it

[phedre]

Honestly, I haven't found anything I'd call fit to eat when it comes to pies in Montreal. I'm a big fan of making my own pies. I know it's a fair bit of work, but it's really not that hard to make crust from scratch and fill with berries, and the lack of offerings hereabouts makes it a necessity in my eyes.

[mainsqueeze]

I don't mind the strawberry-rhubarb pie at Au Pain Doree. The crust isn't stellar but it'll do if I'm really craving pie.

[foodismyfriend]

There is a new place on St.Jacques, next to Via Route (strange industrial road) that is called Bonatarte (sp?). Anyway, I know nothing of it, but I am assuming pie must be on the menu. Hailing from Ontario but originally from the Gaspé, I hear your pie lament, but haven't seen any traditional pies in my 5 years in this city.

[C70]

One word: Rockaberry.

[SnackHappy]

Oh, no. Rockaberry is pretty bad, and nothing like homemade. They're more llke oversized supermarket pies and they're not much better. You might as well get a pie from Loblaws, but really you shouldn't.

[BLM]

What IYO is wrong with their pies(not that I neccessary disagree with you)? I usually order their apple crumble pie & it's very good(their apple & apple crumble pies are by far, their most popular pie), but I haven't eaten there much in a long time. I'm guessing you're mostly focusing on their cream pies(the bad pies). They use the fake stuff(the cream & no real lemons etc.)?

[SnackHappy]

I really don't like the pie crust at Rockaberry. It's too fatty and the texture is too crumbly. I just find the pies really heavy. The only time I've ever enjoyed one of their pies was when I was either drunk or high. I've never had good sober Rockaberry experience.

[C70]

people eat pie sober?

[C70]

I like them! The strawberry/peach crumble is fantastic.

[phedre]

I have to agree. I absolutely hate Rockaberry, but that's probably because I usually make my own pies from scratch (yes, even the crust!). Their cheesecakes are ick, and their pies... the less said the better.