Le Crocodile

This is such a superb restaurant in every way. The decor is modern yet welcoming, with clever design decisions to keep noise levels reasonable.

From the moment you are greeted you can tell this is going to be a welcoming yet very professional experience.

The menu is modern French in all the best ways, with a focus on flavor and flavor combinations.

My hamachi starter was an exquisite combination of complex flavors in balance, from grapefruit ice to serrano pepper. My companion’s foie gras brulee was also wonderful, and provided us with both an appetizer and a dessert course.

My lamb entree was good, but was overshadowed by the flavorful simplicity of her chicken, incredibly moist and tender.

The small cocktail list belies just how great the mixology here is. The Vesper is one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had, and puts all other Vespers to shame as far as complexity and nuance–a great way to start the meal. The Dazed and Confused was a wonderful after-dinner choice.

The wine list is extensive (which rhymes with expensive) but will reward careful perusers with some great choices.

Service could not have been better. A wonderful experience.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/le-crocodile-restaurant-vancouver

Tableau Bar Bistro

Tableau is a nice, traditional French bistro with a classic menu. We went for Sunday brunch, and the menu is fairly egg-centric, as you would expect. I had the Lyonnaise salad, which was topped with two poached eggs, lardons, and the addition of crispy duck confit. It was good, although the confit was pretty chewy.

My companion had the French onion soup, which was classic in all respects. Nicely done.

We started with the smoked fish dip, which was fine, but a bit odd. It was a rather low-brow presentation of a scoop on a plate accompanied by a half dozen saltine crackers and, inexplicably, an order of french fries.

My favorite item was Le Vesper cocktail. Their version is prepared with Citadelle gin, one of my favorites. It was perfect.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/tableau-bar-bistro-vancouver