If there is one family event not to be missed this summer, it is without a doubt the International Balloon Festival of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu from August 9 to 18. There is something for all age groups: rides, shows and of course hot air balloons, all on one magnificent site! We encourage you to combine your outing to the Hot Air Balloon Festival with a dinner at the restaurant first.
The day starts early at the International Balloon Festival of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Early risers can enjoy the hot air balloon flights starting at 6:30 a.m. every morning, weather permitting. Otherwise, other flights into the sky are planned around 6:30 p.m., just before the start of the shows.
The restaurants near the International de Montgolfières site and the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu airport are also ready for takeoff. See our outing suggestions below.
As for the shows, Avril Lavigne, Bryan Adams, Charlotte Cardin and Simple Plan will be on stage, as will Matt Lang and Ludovick Bourgeois.
Children will be able to have fun at the mascot party, in the inflatable games or giant games and on the rides at Beauce Carnaval.
All of this is of course perfect if you start the evening with a restaurant outing.
Les Frères Moreau
The Moreaus have been operating this restaurant since 1963, located in the decor of Boulevard du Séminaire and now owned by the sons of Guy Moreau, one of the founders. Today, the place is still a mecca of gastronomy in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu despite the changes made over time, among other things due to two major fires that broke out a few years apart.
The Moreaus are therefore ready to welcome you and offer you grilled meats and seafood, including frogs' legs, scallops and pasta with rosé or Alfredo sauce.
Tables d'hôte are available for lunch and dinner. For example, opt for a crab cake starter and osso bucco as a main course. Classics like perch fillets or an 8 oz roast beef are also available.
Nic & Pic
The Nic & Pic resto-bar is a real institution in the Richelieu. The kitchen, open from Wednesday morning to the early hours of Saturday night, offers you breakfasts without interruption, because it is always possible to have the taste of eating one of their good omelettes.
Otherwise, it is possible to choose from the 20 poutine options, possibly one of the best in town.
At Nic & Pic, the dishes offered are made in the traditional way, without any frozen products used during preparation. Everything is fresh! And if you have a smaller appetite, half-portions are available on request.
It is possible to enjoy your meal on the terrace.
A children's menu is of course available.
Bistro L’Imprévu
The bistro L’Imprévu, serving elegant French cuisine, offers you its dishes from a gourmet and quite eclectic menu. Grills, seafood, fish, tartares and a mussels and fries special on Wednesdays and Thursdays!
Their wine list includes an excellent selection of whites, reds, rosés and sparkling wines.
In addition to the mussels on sale, discover the menu for 2 (three choices of starter, three choices of main course, a dessert and a bottle of wine) or the offers according to events.
Discover their lobster bisque, their gratin escargots châteautifs, their confit duck leg (with port sauce, berries, puree and seasonal vegetables) or even the Argentinian shrimps fambées au grand Marnier (creamy sauce, tabasco and orange zest, basmati rice and seasonal vegetables).
A children's menu is also available.
Cambodiana
Here is a suggestion from Cambodia, one of the rare restaurants offering fine Cambodian cuisine, Cambodiana. On the menu, you will also find specialties from Vietnam and Thailand. No matter your choice, it will be healthy, fresh, natural and refined food!
Among the specialties and therefore the most popular dishes of the restaurant, watch out for the papillotes of Indochina (envelopes of pork meat and fried shrimp, imperial sauce), the Thai salad (salad, fried noodles, bean sprouts, green and red peppers with our homemade sauce), the emperor shrimp (sautéed shrimp, chili and lemongrass) or even the Bangkok soup (curry soup and vermicelli).
At lunch, a daily menu is offered and it changes every day! You are entitled to a starter, a main course, a tea or a coffee and a dessert.
Casa Grecque
We said in the introduction that the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu International Hot Air Balloon Festival is a true summer tradition and this is also the case with the last suggestion on our list: Casa Grecque.
Since 1980, lovers of authentic Greek cuisine have been meeting at Casa to enjoy their grilled meats, pasta plates and of course seafood and fish.
For those who are undecided, it seems that the land and sea duo plates were designed for you: a 7 oz filet mignon and three butterfly shrimp, three bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin medallions and three butterfly shrimp, a 7 oz Casa steak and three butterfly shrimp or chicken breast and three butterfly shrimp.
This summer, Casa Grecque has developed a few special starters with lobster.
And don't forget to bring your own wine or beer!