The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement

Where to celebrate La Poutine Week in Australia

Amanda Copp

Black bean poutine at Spotted Mallard, Melbourne.
Black bean poutine at Spotted Mallard, Melbourne. Hannah Spence

La Poutine Week showcases the gooey wonder that is Canada's national dish - and you have until Sunday to take part. Making its first appearance in Montreal in 2012, the festival is now taking place simultaneously in 20 participating restaurants from Argentina, Brazil, France, New Zealand, the UK, the US and Australia.

What is poutine, you ask? Only the best thing to come out of Canada besides ice hockey, moose and Justin Trudeau. Originating in Quebec, the dish is made with French fries, cheese curds and gravy. It's essentially comfort in a bowl.

While it's a relatively rare feature in the Australian food scene, this Canadian staple is making guest appearances at several venues across Australia for La Poutine Week. Check out poutines in Sydney at The Stuffed Beaver or Lord of The Fries (which is also serving up vegan takes on this hangover-friendly snack in Melbourne, too); in Wollongong, you can get your poutine fix at Le Montreal Shack, while Melbourne offers cheesy takes on the French fry stack at Big Huey's Diner, Belleville and Spotted Mallard.

Mexican chicken poutine at The Stuffed Beaver in Bondi.
Mexican chicken poutine at The Stuffed Beaver in Bondi.Supplied
Advertisement

"I'm a big fan of poutines," says Samanda Black, the venue manager of Spotted Mallard. "I always tell people from behind the bar that it's pretty much the best food you could possibly eat. It's gooey and it's great to share. It's seriously not a health food, though, but you'll be super satisfied after eating it." The Spotted Mallard is offering pulled pork, duck, and black bean poutine varieties throughout the week.

The Stuffed Beaver in Sydney is a North-American-themed dive bar, so it's only appropriate that the venue got involved in the festival.

"They're quite simple to cook," says head chef, Daniel Barrios, "but the volume we churn out is certainly up there. We have seven types of poutines now!" Barrios' personal favourite is the bar's La Poutine Week's specialty, a Mexican-style poutine topped with chicken marinated in chipotle, jalapenos, roasted bell peppers and sauteed onions.

If this sounds like the festival for you, you can download the La Poutine Week app to see where your closest participating restaurants are and vote on your favourite poutines.

Visit www.lapoutineweek.com

Advertisement

The Stuffed Beaver, 271 Bondi Rd, Bondi Beach, stuffedbeaver.com.au

The Spotted Mallard, 314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, spottedmallard.com

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.

Sign up

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement