Ulasan 5-bintang Christina:
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner since I was craving foie gras really badly. It was the best decision we made, since we had the best dinner of the week of our stay in Vancouver here.
We called for a reservation at 815pm and had our coats checked shortly after we walked in. The restaurant was pretty crowded, but we had a nice little sofa seat near a corner, which was nice.
We started out with an amuse bouch - a tart of some sort with a custard-y filling with dungeness crab and some other ingredients that have escaped my mind. In short, it was heaven in a bite.
The bread basket was a little disappointing though, just white bread and a multigrain bread with sunflower seed, and regular butter. Would have expected something a little more special!
Appetizers
- Terrine de Foie-Gras et Crème Brûlée au Foie-Gras (Duo of Foie-Gras Tasting, Foie-Gras Terrine, Foie-Gras Créme Brulée, Icewine Gelée, Toast) $28 -- This is definitely the hands down the best dish of the night and of the week. The foie gras terrine (something like a pate) was light but flavorful, and the icewine jelly was a wonderful pairing which accentuated the taste of the foie. The Creme Brulee totally blew my mind. It was a sweet contrast to the savory terrine, very light and airy in flavor. Not too sweet, and not too strong in foie gras flavor. Gosh, I'm never having a normal creme brulee ever again!
- Filet de Boeuf Tartare préparé à la minute (Beef Tenderloin Steak Tartar) $16 -- This steak tartare was beautifully presented with a cracked quail egg on top. It was nicely seasoned, and went very well with the sauce that lined the plate. Wow.
- Bisque de Homard parfumée au Cognac (Lobster Bisque served with Fresh Cream and Cognac) $14.50+ -- We paid a little more for a split order so each of us could get a little more soup. Honestly, I felt that the soup was a little too watery (I like my lobster bisque thick and creamy). It also had a little too much cognac and I felt that I was drinking more alcohol than soup. Nonetheless, it brought out flavor of the lobster really nicely. My boyfriend (who doesnt like creamy soups) loved this though!
Entrees
- Magret de Canard et Foie Gras Poêlés, Réduction au Cidre de Pommes (Roasted Fraser Valley Duck Breast served with Pan-Seared Foie Gras and an Apple Cider Reduction) $40 -- Wow wow wow. This dish is definitely worth ordering. The duck breast, cooked to medium rare (or medium by California standards) was soft and tender. It paired very well with the pan seared foie gras which had a stronger flavor. The diced apple also added a soft crunch, and accentuated the flavor of both. They served this with a separate side of vegetable medley which I felt was a little "off", but I guess they couldnt find a way to fit it all on the same plate and still make it look nice. Maybe the vegetable isnt necessary ;)
- Nouilles Fraîches au Homard et Crevettes Grillées, Brunoise de Légumes (Fresh Fettuccine with Lobster Meat and Grilled Tiger Prawns, served with a Brunoise of Vegetables, Olive Oil and Fresh Basil) $29 -- I LOVE fresh pasta, and this fettuccine was VERY good. The shrimp and lobster were both so fresh that their sweetness brought out the flavor of the fresh pasta very well. I did think that the vegetables in the sauce weren't that great though :( I probably would got for a different pasta sauce next time!
Dessert
- Panache de Sorbet aux Fruits Frais (Sorbet selection) $10.50 -- 5 single scoops of sorbet, Coconut, Mango, Passion fruit, grape, and green apple if I remember correctly :/ The coconut sorbet was definitely the best, followed by passion fruit. Great way to end of a wonderful dinner :)
- Grand marnier soufflé - This is not in the menu but a special. It was heavenly. The souffle comes served in a small ramekin, and the waiter went ahead to poke a small hole in the souffle and poured the grand marnier cream into it to cool it down. Mm. I love how light the souffle is, which went very well with the tinge of the orange flavor from the grand marnier. Definitely order this!
Service
The waiter's service started out pretty lukewarm, but improved greatly after our appetizers were served. We ordered a beef tartare as one of our dishes, and she snottily asked, "do you even know what is it?", which came much as a shocker to us both due to the tone and the way the question was phrased. She read off a long list of specials which were not on the menu, and when asked to repeat it again, she sounded impatient :( However, she later warmed up to us quite a bit, especially after I asked her to slow down our food after our first two appetizers were served.
I love the wonderful pairings of the food that was served. The bill came up to be around $160 (after taxes, before tips) which is a VERY good price. I'm pretty sure the bill would have been near $250 or more if this was a meal in San Francisco. Loved our dinner here so much. Definitely would be back here again if I'm ever back in Vancouver again!