For a variety of reasons (mostly due to a Disney cruise to Alaska by the kids and Jim’s mom and nephew), we found ourselves in Vancouver (that’s in Canada) for a few days. In addition to discovering the flagship Fluevog shoe store (a story for another time), we discovered wonderful food of all cuisines during our stay. The most memorable meal, however, was at L’Abattoir. The restaurant is located in Gastown, a part of town that is simultaneously edgy and touristy. It’s clear that the chef is passionate about his cooking and his ingredients, and our waiter, Roland, was knowledgeable and skilled. The vibe was described to us as “hipster meets one percenter,” and it is a particularly apt description. Altogether, it was a fabulous dining experience.
There were three of us at dinner, and we started off with a terrine of duck foie gras, accompanied by cherries, yogurt, and brioche
And a salad of tomatoes with fresh cheese served with basil pesto, peach, and gazpacho
And a tartine of Dungeness crab that is served with fried chickpeas, bean salad, and melon.
For entrees, we had:
Beef short rib served with chanterelle mushrooms, corn, and chard (which is technically an appetizer but a generously-sized one)
Grilled pork belly with plums, radichhio, and beetroot, and
Lightly smoked duck breast with a confit leg, apricot and beans.
While all the dishes were excellent, the duck was universally agreed to be the clear winner.
Only two desserts were chosen, a vanilla and yogurt panna cotta served with local cherries, cherry sorbet, and pumpkin seed crumble
And a coffee flour financier that came with a tonka bean mousse, coffee ice cream, and carmelized bananas.
If you ever find yourself in Vancouver, this is definitely a restaurant worth visiting! The cooking is fresh, innovative, and skilled. The address is 217 Carrall St, Gastown, Vancouver (www.labattoir.ca).
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