As with many Indigenous cultures around the world, the traditional diet of the First Nations peoples of Canada were derived from the land. With their expert knowledge, they adapted their diet in rhythm with the plants and animals available at different times of the year, in different terrains and climates. Modern First Nations chefs are now reclaiming their ancestral cuisines and recreating interesting contemporary versions. In this post, I describe my experience into this new culinary world through my review of Restaurant Sagamité.
Restaurant Sagamité is a fantastic restaurant in downtown Quebec City that shares Indigenous culture through gastronomy. Owned by a Huron-Wendat family (in fact, their family portrait is part of the decor), it is named after the plate that has nourished the nation for centuries: the sagamité soup, consisting of the “Three Sisters”: corn, squash and beans. Their offerings include game meats and other traditional staples reimagined for contemporary tables.
My meal started with a phenomenal cream of vegetable soup. Peas, leeks, and other green veg were cooked with lots of herbs. It had a bit of a kick too. I could have eaten several bowls of this because it was SO GOOD. It even moved my vegetable-averted boyfriend.
My main was perfectly cooked deer and elk (known as wapiti in French Canada) with purée, vegetables, and an addictive meaty sauce. Despite being game meat, it was so tender that it was like butter. The sauce was to die for too.
To wash it down, I had a pint of hazy IPA by Kahnawake Brewing Company, the first Native-owned microbrewery on a First Nation’s territory in Canada. Seriously one of the best brewskis I’ve had in a while. Lots of flavour but still easy to drink.
This hearty meal helped fuel us for a good hike around the Montmorency Falls and park. Just outside of the city center, these falls are actually 1.5x taller than Niagara Falls.
Overall, visit to Restaurant Sagamité was a really delicious experience with friendly, informative service. It was a great intro to Canadian cuisine for my French boyfriend too. He was honestly amazed. I highly recommend to anyone visiting QC City!
