Crab bought by the roll, by the legs sizzling or chilly, in soup and salads — that is simply the beginning of a seafood-filled weekend idea lasting from now to the tip of summer season.

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The arrival of spring marks the start of recent crops, and it doesn’t get more energizing than the window of time when snow crab catches arrive in Montreal’s kitchens for barely a month and a half.
For Parasol, a usually summer-bound pop-up within the alley behind Mile Finish newcomer Beau Temps, meaning opening a little bit earlier with a snow crab shack.
Following on the success of final yr’s lobster shack, Montrealers will be capable of benefit from the hotter climate on an impromptu terrasse that’s embellished with maritime regalia. It’s open Thursdays to Saturdays.
“We’re going to stay to the identical really feel that we had with our lobster shack,” Parasol and Beau Temps chef William Cody says. “It’s going to be that conventional shack on the aspect of the street, close to the ocean. … We wish individuals to really feel like they’re driving to the ocean to seize some crab.”
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In accordance with the chef, Parasol has a straight-from-the-sea supply and acquired some product as quickly because the season started. “I used to be in a position to get my arms on some crabs on the market (final week), which have been fished at midnight when it was allowed, got here in on a truck within the morning,” and went straight to the kitchen for testing and tasting.
Cody’s menu will push utilizing snow crab to the restrict, from the sound of it: Whereas there are gadgets like fast and simple crab rolls alongside Beau Temp’s fried fish filet sandwiches, crab can also be being bought half and complete, both chilly or sizzling, with lemon, crab-infused butter and a do-it-yourself Outdated Bay seasoning that makes use of dried and powdered lemon, pickled jalapenos, onions and extra. Crab shell will probably be used to infuse an oil for a Caesar salad that’s dressed with smoked Matane shrimp in lieu of bacon, a heat seafood bisque ought to rotate on the menu sometimes, and extra.
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“We’ve got numerous stuff that’s mendacity in wait,” says Cody. “A bunch of concepts, and the menu’s going to evolve and develop as time goes on.”
Beau Temps co-owner William Saulnier’s curated wines, beers and ciders may also be accessible.

Pop-ups in Montreal aren’t all the time the temporary affair that the time period implies, however Parasol’s crab shack guarantees to solely final so long as crab season, which is often till whales start to reach within the Saint Lawrence River in Could. As soon as the temporary seasons ends, the restaurant’s authentic lobster idea is anticipated to return shortly afterwards.
That quick provide means they could run out of a day’s value of stock earlier than the final hour, so Montrealers are inspired to order orders by way of the restaurant’s web site.
Parasol’s Crab Shack is within the alleyway behind Beau Temps, 5439 St Laurent Blvd. and is open 4 p.m. to eight p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, midday to eight p.m. on Saturdays.
jpkarwacki@postmedia.com
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