Le Gavroche
Posted by George Froehlich of Savvy Insider
There is a lot to be said for good old-fashioned cooking and dining.
Good old fashioned cooking sticks to the tried and true, those classic timeless elegant dishes that are wonderful, robust; bursting with flavour and texture.
The kitchen at Le Gavroche in Vancouver’s West End is a perfect example.
A mainstay of the city’s culinary scene for 32 years this gently refurbished Victorian house (circa 1910’s) is a perfect spot for a romantic dinner that hits the spot.
At Le Gavroche small elegant touches (so important) are still evident such as having your Caesar salad or cherries jubilee prepared tableside.
A recent five-course dinner was an amazing journey of excellent food and service.
The first course – a small platter of fresh oysters with Champagne Mignonette, Lobster Sablefish fritters and gazpacho, was a delight in contrasting flavours and textures. The oysters, fresh, clean with that classic sea taste were nicely contrasted with the acidic champagne sauce. The fritters, creamy and smooth and that lobster taste came through in droves. The gazpacho a perfect little cup of garden goodness.
The fresh seared scallops from Qualicum on Vancouver Island served with tiny roasted Campari tomatoes from Oliver and a spicy basil vinaigrette fulfilled all the elements of a superb dish.
Seared sablefish slightly smoked (in house) with beautiful crisp skin on the outside, the inside, white soft-textured, mild and like butter, was outstanding. A tiny salty seaweed, sea asparagus, a delicacy from Vancouver Island and a classic lobster emulsion (a sauce) with tiny pieces of lobster in it topped off the fish.
A classic Caesar salad was perfect. The salad; crisp pieces of Romaine lettuce, the dressing coating the lettuce instead of drowning it as often is the case in many restaurants.
Another small but important detail that escapes a lot of chefs.
The Salt Spring lamb rack, medium rare, mustard crusted with rosemary garlic jus, was another classic dish well done.
And finally dessert – cherries jubilee.
What a way to finish off a classic dinner. The fresh cherries were bathed in sugar, orange liqueur, brandy and orange peel – all flambeed tableside, sitting atop some house-made vanilla ice cream.
Sublime.
Le Gavroche 1616 Alberni Street Vancouver 604-685-3924
Okanagan Food And Wine * Vancouver Food And Wine
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