La Cena Épicerie Traiteur: Italian conviviality in Piedmont

In Piedmont, in the Laurentians, La Cena plays many roles: fine grocery, catering, butcher, sandwich shop – and it’s a true pleasure to enjoy everything they offer, always served with a smile.

Maya Ramacieri, a cook and pastry chef, met her partner Jean-Olivier Beaucage while she was studying at the ITHQ and he was attending butcher school. “We launched this project to show that cooking doesn’t have to be a chore. La Cena means ‘dinner’ in Italian, a word that resonates with our love for Italian conviviality. We enjoy exchanging, giving advice, and guiding people,” Maya shares. La Cena first opened in Villeray in 2013 before fully focusing on its location in the Laurentians during the pandemic.

The sandwiches are a real reason to make the detour. Served on focaccia, they are generous and indulgent. The standout? L’Olivier, a sandwich that gained popularity thanks to Olivier Primeau and has now become a favorite, filled with Italian cold cuts, cheddar, spicy mayo, and arugula. There’s also Giovanni (mortadella, pistachio pesto, rosemary focaccia), a nod to Maya’s grandfather.

La Cena is the perfect place for a quick lunch, shopping for appetizers, or grabbing a ready-to-eat dinner. “I like to say our products have three lives,” says Maya. You’ll find a range of items: butcher products, fruits and vegetables, cold cuts, cheeses, antipasti, ready-to-eat meals, private import wines, and pastries. Everything that can be made in-house is done so with particular care for allergies and a zero-waste approach from the start. “We avoid allergens as much as possible. For example, our sausages are made only with meat and spices.”

With a large terrace perfect for summer and ongoing work to expand the indoor space, La Cena is a must-visit spot if you’re passing through the Laurentians. The service is warm and personalized. You won’t be disappointed!

Enjoy the discovery!