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L'Abattoir
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants French Canadian (New), French [Edit]
217 Carrall StVancouver, BC V6B 2J1
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
(604) 568-1701
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
104 reviews for L'Abattoir
Review Highlights
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"The Confit of Albacore Tuna was really good." In 9 reviews -
"Dungeness crab and chickpea toast 12." In 9 reviews -
"I had the Scallops and Oxtail Dumplings, which were insane." In 9 reviews
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104 reviews in English
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Review from David K.
North Vancouver, BC
5/20/2012
Overlooking the overboard hipster cocktail service. L'Abattoir is just a stupendous dining experience. 5 of us eating, and every course was fantastic. Pouched egg with a cheese custard over wild mushrooms - ridiculous. Crab salad in chickpea toast - sublime. Scallops - a huge portion - so perfectly cooked. Steak Diane with a perfect veal reduction....
We were all stuffed but could not ignore desserts, all of which shone. Apricot clafoutis, ricotta cheesecake, amazing chocolate mousse, etc.
All in all - not cheap, but well worth it! -
Review from Ellen L.
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
We were fortunate enough to sit in the greenhouse-esque area with lots of natural lighting. Rustic yet sophisticated.
Food wise:
Complimentary bread basket rocked my socks off! Anchovies in bread? Whodathunk?!?!
Smoked Sturgeon Carpaccio - this appy is good for group sharing. Lots of dimension in the flavour - tartness of the grapefruit, creaminess of the avocado, and a bit of punch from the jalapeno.
Duck Breast - I was savouring every bite of my entree. Duck was tender with right amount of fat. The foie gras sauce (hoity toity term would be "blanquette") was creamy and complemented the duck well. The only critique would be the other sauce on the plate - it was overly sweet (actually made my tooth ache a little).
Steak Diane - I had a couple bites of this one. Tender steak, though missing that meat zing. Great peppercorn sauce and not overpowering.
Dark Chocolate Pudding - lovely. Not overly sweet. Very dark chocolate like. Would have loved more creme fraiche.
I was very impressed with the food. The flavour combinations can be a bit unusual, but really worked together. The presentation was well done. When someone else's Roast Scallops hit the table, I honestly gasped a little because it looked like a work of art. I don't often say this for the pricier restaurants, but you betcha I'll be back to work through the rest of the menu!
On a final note, l'abattoir = slaughterhouse. Man, French makes anything sound beautiful.Listed in: Culinary Highlights 2012
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Review from Amy T.
Updated - 5/17/2012 5 photos
A very sweet and thoughtful friend of mine took me to L'Abattoir for my birthday since it's one of my favorite restaurants. She's not a fan of the decor, but I love exposed brick with modern furniture and glass touches everywhere. But one thing we did agree on was the food!
We ordered:
Albacore tuna crudo, which I would have preferred the fava beans on the side since it didn't enhance the dish eating it with the tuna, but that's my own preference. (Note: This is gluten free) http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
Terrine of duck foie gras and it was sandwiched between 2 pieces of thinly sliced sour dough bread. This was the most prettiest presentation of the bunch. http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
Halibut with olive and saffron crust, which was delicious and even better when eaten with the pasta, peas and vinaigrette. http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
Duck breast roasted on the bone was my favorite dish and I wished I had ordered it myself. They roast the duck on the bone, but then remove it out so you don't need to worry about it. It is served with beets and foie gras blanquette. The duck just melted in your mouth and was honestly the best duck I have ever eaten in a French restaurant to this day! (Note: This is gluten free) http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
Another plus for L'Abattoir is that they take reservations now. I can't wait to come back here!Listed in: Date Night Suggestions, My Faves
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/17/2010
Dungeness crab and chick pea toast? Albacor tuna with smoked duck fat??? YES please!
I love… Read more »
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Review from Ashley B.
Vancouver, BC
5/23/2012
Gorgeous space, impeccable service and gorgeous food. One of the best restaurant experiences I've had as of late.
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Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
5/10/2012
No idea how I missed posting all my Vancouver reviews - I'm in the city often enough - but I decided to just mass Yelp since I was there last week to stuff my face.
A frenemy first took me to L'Abattoir, so it was nice to go back recently with a friend. Friends are normal and the best company. Frenemies cause indigestion.
I first went in January 2011. It was just as memorable and buzzworthy this April.
This Gastown restaurant serves ups creative elixirs and witty cocktails that only serve to complement it's décor and culture. I say culture because something about this restaurant exudes personality.
L'Abattoir's principals have quite the resume. Between them they've worked at Market, a Jean-Georges restaurant, Chambar, a former Rob Feenie establishment, and Fat Duck in England. That concludes the history lesson, back to the fun stuff.
The appetizers all sound intricate and include terrine of pork hock, as well as a foie gras and a poached egg, quinoa, and swiss chard concoction.
I had the Dungeness crab and chickpea toast both times because I love crab, though I'm allergic - that's what Benadryls for.
Their mains are rich and luscious and their desserts are as cute as some of the waitstaff ;)
FYI, the service was impeccable both times.
I'm so glad I have a new memory to overwrite the frenemy. -
Review from Josh L.
Vancouver, BC
4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
What a pleasurable dining experience. Everything about L'Abattoir reflects a deft touch; service that is friendly and helpful without invading your meal, food that is at once perfectly executed and delicious while at the same time not fussy, and cocktails that are carefully prepared with a focus on fresh and tasty combinations.
The waitstaff were keen and ready to help negotiate the menu and made useful (and delicious) suggestions.
Tip: Forget what you know about escargot. Here a pan-fried escargot is paired with the most tender poached egg and the results are heavenly. -
Review from Hannah L.
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
The web of branches and the wall of brick drew me in. A sip of the Slaughterhouse and a bite of pork shoulder made me never want to leave.
"My heart it tumbled like the stock exchange/Do you feel what I feel, dear?"
Only if you're lucky. And here. And oh I do....
My night at L'Abattoir was one of the loveliest, most utterly smile-inducing-delight-filled evenings I've ever spent. Sipping and supping with decadent abandon: every forkful was worth savoring, and they all disappeared far too quickly.
We began the evening at the bar. And had I been fully aware of just who Shaun Layton is, I might have been afraid to talk to him as a mere lowly drinker in the presence of excellence....It was only through overhearing snippets of his conversation with some people seated farther down that I happened to hear he's previously guested behind the bars of Tavern Law and Canon. Which happen to each be about a one-minute walk from my place, in different directions. And which told me that this was my kind of celebrity sighting (of course, confirmed by my recent visit to Tavern Law and noticing one of his signature drinks, the Meat Hook, on the menu).
All you need to know is that he's Vancouver's best mixologist, and has been winning awards for years. Anyone that Jamie Boudreau invites down south to work Canon's bar is stellar, and had I done my proper research I would have planned to perch there for the entire night to watch a master at work. If you're looking for the best bar in Vancouver, this is it. Just get the Slaughterhouse: baby, it's apropos.
But one cannot live on some beautiful arrangement of liquors and infusions and bitters and sugars and delights alone, so it's off to the back of L'Abattoir, slipping past the kitchen into the lovely space of windows and the web of branches suspended like a rustic room-length chandelier above the tables.
First, the dungeness crab in a beautiful tall cylindrical toast, topped with a gorgeous garlic custard. It crumbled in waves under the onslaught of spoons, each bite a delicate mix of sweetness and brine and crisp...And the on to the mains.
I knew I had to have the pork shoulder soaked in milk when I read a review and another Yelper said she couldn't help laughing at her first bite, it was so exquisite. I had exactly the same reaction, each taste eliciting utterly uncensored glee that expressed itself only in the purest, most sacred constant mantra offered up for food: holy s**t, holy s**t, holy s**t. The pork melted onto my fork, in my mouth, brightened by the lively salsa verde and surrounded by just enough roasted root vegetables and wilted savory kale to offer delightful distraction. My man's Steak Diane was a an elevated preparation of a classic (almost rivaling the perfection of the pork) and had the added bonus of a small piece of fried bone marrow, the most excellently succulent morsel of tenderness one might desire.
At this point I don't even remember what we had for dessert, as L'Abattoir's menu shifts from time to time.
But I do remember we had two, one of which was the chocolate caramel ice cream bar. Because, why not?
And like a surreal and sublime and vivid dream that ends too soon but leaves behind an unfocused aura of bliss, it was done, and the bar was too packed, and so out into the cold night and onward home to join the other world of the awed and mediocre. Just like the man says.... -
Review from Kyle M.
Vancouver, BC
4/12/2012
If you want to get someone's pants off, take 'em here (myself included)
L'Abattoir. One of my top 3 restaurants in Vancouver.
I'm a sucker for French food - I'm French trained myself and am absolutely obsessed with French food philosophy. The French are the creators of modern day cuisine and it's their technique that is used most prominently in haute cuisine kitchens.
Most of my favorite recipes are French peasant food - perhaps that's why I love L'Abattoir. They take simple, approachable every day but brilliantly fresh ingredients and transform them into something magic. Ok. I've said something remotely intelligent and thoughtful without cursing or using sexual references. I'm going to hold out a little bit longer.
3 reasons to try L'Abattoir:
1 - Drinks. These guys make amazing cocktails, although I just end up having this guy over and over and over. The Clover Club Refashioned.
Gin, fresh raspberries, sweet vermouth, lemon, mint & a little egg white to make it like velvet in your mouth.
#2 - The food.
This is a casual chicken dinner. Beautiful roast breast, a sausage made of the leg meat and wrapped in crispy pastry, cauliflower puree & cheddar roasted cauliflower, pan roasted mushrooms... the whole thing was incredible. Honestly I've been to this place a million times and the food is always amazing. Problem is the food is so good half the time I forget to take pictures because I NEED IT INSIDE ME NOW.
#3. Dessert. I've made a blog post about this guy before - the pear tarte tatin (for two) - it's like they're mocking me for being a fat pig by saying it's for two people. But whatever. It's worth it.
So now - great food, great drinks, an excellent wine list and desserts that I'd probably sell most of my family into slavery for. That's why I love this place.
In fact, it takes everything I have not to turn into the drunk Las Palmas baby when I'm there. The reality is, the baby and I are pretty much one & the same. -
Review from Marilyn T.
4/26/2012
L'Abattoir is located in the hip Gastown area, which has a lot of character. there's a small entry way when you walk in, but it actually opens up pretty deep. Still, there aren't THAT many tables, so I'd definitely recommend a reservation.
Between cold dishes, warm dishes, and mains, there are about 5-7 options each, but there's a good variety. They feature more modern French cuisine that's decadent but simple and not snooty.
The awesome mixologists add an even more hip feel to the place, with unique combinations that are also beautifully presented. Definitely try the Commercial Driver, which is an awesome sparkling cocktail with citrus that's not too sweet. Their take on the Aviator is also good, and other classics like an Old Fashioned are nice and strong. They also leave a water jug on your table, so you can keep your glasses refilled.
We started with an irresistible bread basket, with freshly baked warm bacon brioche, parmesean twists, and a nutty paprika flatbread.
For starters, the beets are rich, with a tallegio custard, sweetness from pears, crunch from pumpkin seeds, and a nice kick from some peppers. Though it's a vegetable dish, it's pretty heavy. The dungeness crab and chickpea toast was recommended as a house favorite, but the garlic custard was a little overpowering, and the dish was too creamy for me. The poached egg with pan fried escargots is filling enough to be an entree, though I wish there were more spatzle underneath.
Moving onto entrees... Seared scallops were generous in portion (4 large scallops) and very flavorful. The accompanying gnocchi was lightly pan fried, and the whole dish came together very well with a ton of flavor. Halibut with an olive and saffron crust was tender and well seasoned with the textured crust; the pasta and peas underneath were light, but maybe not what I would have paired with the halibut. Pork shoulder soaked in milk?? Talk about tender, rich, and melting in your mouth.
We were definitely too full for dessert.
So why not more stars? First off, we felt a bit pressured to order more. Then, the pacing was a bit off for us, as one of us ordered an appetizer as a main, but it was served with the other appetizers, leaving that person to nurse the same dish over the entire dinner. Each course takes a while, which is fine, except it was a little unbearably warm upstairs, to the point where the servers were obviously sweating, too, and there was an unsavory old dishrag smell that was hard to escape.
Prices are on the higher end, but the dishes are executed well. Unfortunately, the smell looming over the area of our table and the warmth compromised the meal, though the food and cocktails were otherwise worth nearly 5 stars. Maybe it was an off night for ambiance, but that plays a huge role in the overall meal. -
Review from Annie W.
3/29/2012
Almost didn't come here tonight, but minds were changed at the last minute and boy am I glad they did!! I was a little worried as I'd heard they didn't take reso's, but luck was on our side and we landed a table right away...15 minutes later the place was fully packed.
What a dark and sexy space filled with lots of beautiful people and even more beautiful staff. Seriously, I am pretty sure "hotness" is part of the job description here because everyone from the hostess to the servers were enviously beautiful.
The menu had me at foie gras, and it was EXCELLENT! Seriously, the way they do their foie gras here exceeds the much more touted one at Hawksworth in my opinion; part of it is the gelée that tops the L'Abattoir one, it is more subtle and complimentary of the foie gras itself. I personally like to smear the stuff on various forms of carbohydrates, so this is where the excellent bread basket gets bonus points from me. The complimentary basket consisted of a really lovely assortment of bread sticks, crisps, and rolls - nothing like the sad little "toasts" Hawksworth charges $4 for to go with theirs.
For our main we shared the Pork Shoulder Cooked In Milk. While the salsa verde sauce was delectable, and the kale was a perfect pairing vegetable, I was just a little let down by the pork itself. It was definitely tender and far from dry, but I guess I had envisioned more of a melt in your mouth kinda pork experience. Perhaps my expectations were set unrealistically high by the salivating description.
A Chocolate Caramel Bar capped off the evening. While I was not thrilled with the chocolate caramel bar itself, the banana ice cream that came with it....omifuckingod was it good. The ice cream and the *almost* equally delicious banana cracker/crisp on top of it more than made up for any disgruntlement I might have felt towards the chocolate caramel bar.
I am definitely coming back for more of that foie gras, and this time I am not sharing! -
Review from Felicity D.
Vancouver, BC
5/18/2012
Went here for a rare high-end night out. Though my wallet still aches a little, I cannot think of anything that would have made our evening here better. We had escargot with a poached egg, veal sweetbreads on toast, the duck entree, and the scallop entree. The scallops were so generous (5 huge scallops, bacon, fava beans) that I had half of them wrapped up for a midnight snack. Usually, we are strictly wine people when out at restaurants, but their cocktails and premium spirit selection had to be sampled. With over 10 premium gins to choose from, the man was in martini heaven. I had a "Gastown Swizzle": Plymouth Gin, passion fruit, aperol, and more, fantastic and girlie but maybe a bit overwhelming to pair with a dish so I sucked it back quick before our food arrived. We had a lovely BC Riesling by the glass with our entrees and, though we were too full for dessert, I had an Amaro and the fella had a Cognac after our meal. Half the fun was picking through the extensive liquor selection... it's really rare for me to encounter so many unfamiliar spirits on a restaurant list and it was exciting choosing what new thing to try.
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Review from Don B.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
L'Abattoire is a must-stop for anyone in Vancouver who values quality cocktails. The 5-star rating can rest solely on the shoulders of the talented barmen at this hip establishment. The high quality food is simply the (amarena) cherry on top.
If you appreciate the craft of fine alcoholic drinks, grab yourself a (somewhat) comfortable seat at the bar and watch these gentlemen at work. Whether you order off the menu or go dealer's choice, you'll not be disappointed. I sampled many cocktails over the course of our dinner and was impressed by all - even a Fernet and Mint Pastis drink served up for a digestif.
The food is quite good as well. It's very chef-driven, with all sorts of process-heavy foods as well as classics like Steak Diane (yeah... right?). I was impressed by most all of the food - our tuna sashimi is good and the beet salad is magical - with a cheese custard sitting beneath sweet, unctuous beets. I could dine on that all day long. The steak presentation (as can be seen from photos attached to this biz listing) is gorgeous, but I found the meat to be less than tender. It was surprisingly chewy. But the flavors were all spot on.
My experience here was such that I'd return in a heartbeat... even if only for the drinks. They're worth the stop alone. -
Review from Robin M.
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Baby-faced bartender; masterful mixology; curated cocktails; downing Don Drapers; slaughterhouse solarium but best at the bar; Meat Hooks in a (food) porn paradise.
It's all Hanky Panky at L'Abattoir.Listed in: Which town? Gastown., Goings On and Going Out, Craft Cocktails
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Review from Kevin F.
Vancouver, BC
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I had faaaar too much fun (alcohol?) to remember exactly what I ate and drank on that fateful night that our friend decided to celebrate her birthday at L'Abattoir, but it is easy enough to say that it was hands down the best restaurant experience I've ever had in Vancouver. Drinks, food, service, and ambience were all impeccable.
And no matter what your mind tells you, go with your gut and order the tarte tatin for dessert. I didn't and it was the only error of the evening. And a big one at that. -
Review from Sam S.
Vancouver, BC
2/16/2012
Came here for my birthday during the summer and the food was worth the wait. The atmosphere is classy and the folks dining were dressed up. The servers were great and the room in the back is like no other in Gastown. Back to the food... it was simple, tasty and presented really well.
When I first heard of this restaurant I thought it was inspired by the butcher as a chef, but after my visit, I wasn't sure. Perhaps I heard wrong, albeit the food taste great despite not knowing its genre. Perfect for dates, dinners, lunches....etc. It's a great getaway in Gastown. -
Review from Justin G.
Burnaby, BC
3/5/2012
Had a reservation but had to wait a bit for the table to be ready.
It was nice that the bar is kind of removed from the tables, makes it just feel more natural to hang at the bar as we waited.
The service was definitely top notch. Our server may very well have been psychic as she only seemed to show up exactly when we wanted her to.
The food was delicious, from appetizer to entree to dessert.
And, being allergic to nuts, it was a bonus to find out from the server that the owner also has a nut allergy and so the premises are nut free. A big plus in my books!
When I'm looking to treat someone to a great night out, when it comes to the dinner portion of the evening L'Abattoir will definitely be one of the first places I'm going to consider. -
Review from Annie M.
Vancouver, BC
L'Abattoir is a nice and cozy place The decor is modern and has an energetic vibe. The waiters are attentive and friendly.
I took my parents here to try and they loved it so much.
The bread basket - bacon brioche, some sort of cheese twist was warm and fresh.
Appetizers:
Pork pate was melt-in-your-mouth delicious
Steelhead and fried potato salad was cooked perfectly.
Entrees:
Duck breast and leg meat sausage was fabulous and presented nicely.
Homemade pasta stuffed with braised lamb shoulder was a bit chewy.
Fillet of pacific cod with spicy chorizo crust was huge and excellent.
Desserts:
Chocolate caramel bar, Banana ice cream - dying for a perfect dessert!!
Earl Grey pot de crème - great
Pinneapple upside down cake - Just ok. -
Review from Curtis H.
Vancouver, BC
1/16/2012
I can't say enough great things about this place. I have never received anything but stellar service here. The food is always delcious, and interesting, and if you really want a personalized experience, let David or Chris customize a cocktail for you from behind the bar.
They also have a great selection of beer (my favorite is the Pranqster)
All of the mixologists are amazing, and just watching them work is 5 star entertainment.
If you are looking for great food, and delcious drinks, then this is your place. -
Review from Karen R.
Maybe not the best place for 3 vegetarians...heehee, just kidding :)
This is a great place for carnivores though. I've come here a few times for cocktails - the bartenders are really good and are part of the culture in Vancouver that is trying to up the ante when it comes to the cocktail scene. I am a fan of any of the cocktails that these guys make with sparkling wine. I also like how there is a vast range of options that are sweet or fruity or spicy or smoky or...pick an adjective, they've got it!
The food is really good but be forewarned; the portions look small but it's the right amount because the food is very rich.
They started us with an amazing bread basket - bacon brioche, parmesan and scallion twists and a sesame cumin flatbread. Fresh, crispy, warm and tasty. Woot x 1.
We ordered the crab and chickpea salad - it's weird looking coming in a melba type tube topped with creme fraiche but really good. It actually had lumpy pieces of crab that were a good size - they definitely didn't cheap out on that. The beet salad was beautiful - chock full of tender golden and red beets atop a cream taleggio custard. And finally the sweetbreads and veal tongue were phenomenal - heaped on top of a nice piece of . That dish was very rich so definitely share it - it's too much for one person. Woot x 2.
I ordered the scallops with oxtail dumplings.The scallops had the perfect sear on them and the dumplings were crispy, like fancy won tons. I loved the accompanying daikon, mushrooms and asian pears. My friend ordered the chicken and while I usually scoff at ordering chicken in restaurants this was amazing. Moist, with a beautiful sauce and potatoes. Woot x 3.
Now the showstopper was the apple and olive oil cake with ginger ice cream and sea foam. Holy hell this was amazing - the cake was dense and moist and the spiciness of the ginger was a great compliment to the bright apple taste and topped with the crunch of the sea foam...divine. I know that last description might sound douchey (or maybe this review sounds douchey) but it really was awesome. We also ordered the fancy nanaimo bar and it was good, it just paled in comparison to the apple cake. Woot x 4.
This is a great place to go with your friends, on a date, for a special occasion, for cocktails...just might not be the best place to go for vegetarian options.Listed in: Dinner Club
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Review from Brittany W.
North Vancouver, BC
12/16/2011
A warm 2-level restaurant and cocktail den that offers exceptional service, a small but perfected menu, and a cocktail list crafted by Shaun Layton (2010 Bartender of the Year) - an excellent choice for a refined cocktail or dining experience in the heart of Gastown.
My three girlfriends and I dined here tonight to celebrate the season. We had resos for 8:30pm and waited for about 10 minutes for our table. We were greeted well and brought drink menus while we waited. We haved stopped by on weekends twice before to have a drink, but had no luck with seating as both times it was just too packed! The weekend crowd seems younger and trendier on weekends, and the crowd seemed quite mature and sophisticated tonight.
Of the menu items I tried tonight, I was quite impressed by everything:
- Clover Club Refashioned - sweet for my liking, but very well-crafted
- Roasted scallops: cooked to perfection with succulent flavour
- Bacon-wrapped rabbit: well-seasoned, tasty, delicious
- Terrine of duck foie gras on toasted brioche was delicious. Two of my gfs refused to try it as they mentioned they didn't agree with the practices around it. I just learned how foie gras is produced and now that I know the horrible animal cruelty that ducks go through, omg, I'm swearing now that I will NEVER eat it again!
To be quite honest, I was more focused on the convos we were having rather than savouring and tasting every bite. Overall, yes, 4.5 out of 5. I definitely recommend it.
Comparable to Uva and Boneta (in terms of price point and cocktail/wine list)Listed in: Highly Exceptional Service
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Review from Gary M.
2/4/2012
For me L'Abattoir is one of those things in life that pleasantly come out of no where and make me smile and take a deep breath of satisfaction.
My first time there was with a good friend, his wife and my fiance. I had just moved back to Vancouver and I was not familiar with L'Abattoir. Upon entering the space for the first time I quickly understood what this place was all about. Beautiful environment, warm greeting staff, elegant layout and lovely smells from the kitchen.
I don't remember exactly what we had, but I know it looked lovely, tasted divine and I was pining to return.
Last week I was fortunate to come back. It was for dine out Vancouver and the room was abuzz with happy people in lively conversation enjoying the experience. We were served by exceptional wait staff who were friendly, cool and alive.
We chose Steelhead and fried potato salad as well as the gnocchi to start. Crisp, fresh and lovely, sipping wine and slowly savoring each bite.
The mains may have been taking some time but we didn't notice. The waiter brought us refills on our wine for the wait. Nice touch!
We had the Duck breast sausage and Homemade pasta with lamb. Lovely tastes, textures and presentation.
L'Abattoir is what Vancouver needs to keep it a world class city for lovely food experience. And to keep me happy to live here...
gListed in: My absolute best favorites
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Review from Lisa S.
Vancouver, BC
1/12/2012
Four stars for the food (which is five stars). I knocked a star off for the service on my last visit.
I've been to L'Abattoir probably four or five times. The first visits were great -- leisurely, amazing food, great experience.
The last visit, though, makes me think they're going downhill, at least on the service side. We got a babysitter and everything, so going out is much dearer these days. When I go out, I'm buying into four solid hours of peaceful eating and drinking (dinner plus a stop somewhere for a post-dinner drink). We had a 7:15 reservation. We arrived, ordered drinks, a starter and a main, and we were out by 7:55. Seriously? The starter (for me, poached egg & broccoli -- yum) was perfectly done, but showed up on my table not 5 minutes after ordering it. The main was out within 15 minutes of ordering. Seriously? When I'm paying this kind of money, couldn't you at least pretend that you're preparing the food to order?
My husband had wanted to order another drink in the middle of eating our mains, but could never get the waitress to acknowledge him. When she came with the dessert menus, we decided to go elsewhere for drinks and dessert. And we were still home within three hours. Sigh.
Maybe it was just an off night. Or maybe it was evidence of the service going downhill now that they've got a bit of age on them. (We hadn't been for about seven months.)
Go for the food. But know it could seem like a fast-food experience and the service may be off. -
Review from Rhett W.
Vancouver, BC
2/22/2012
Some of the best food and drink you will find in Vancouver!
See my full review - including cocktail recipes - on my blog (view my profile). -
Review from Sarah Y.
Vancouver, BC
Amazing mixologists, aka bartenders.
The bread basket is to die for and if you just go there for the bread basket and drinks, that'd be okay too. They have this amazing roll...I can't remember the name but it's got salami or SOMETHING delicious in there...
The meals are great too. Order the scallops, you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Andrea L.
Vancouver, BC
1/23/2012
LOVED the food, loved the presentation for the seared duck and crab salad was amazing.
Great place for great food in Gas town, love to go back soon!
Loved the chairs and the washrooms too! Super modern! -
Review from David R.
North Vancouver, BC
3/20/2012
Great ambience, nice decor. Have only eaten here twice, but both meals were done very well. Especially one salmon dish which was exceptional (in a city where nearly everyone has a nice salmon dish, that takes some doing). Service was good both times and the price fair. Looking forward to going back and exploring a bit more.
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Review from Kim G.
12/30/2011
A foodie from Sydney, Australia, I have just spent the passed 6 weeks eating my way through the US and Canada and this was one of the best meals encountered.
Lovely space, we had a great view of the bar, good for people watching. Service was solid, not extrusive but fast. But the food was the memorable bit. Excellent bread basket to start, we shared the duck terrine which was pretty as a picture and had some great contrasting flavours (the jelly was a bit of a waste of space though.). The entrees were outstanding, the pork cooked in milk one of the tastiest dishes I've ever had. Dessert lacked the punch of the others (apple bread pudding) but overall an excellent experience. -
Review from Jac J.
Vancouver, BC
2/29/2012
I keep hearing great things and despite two not so great experiences I went back for my third disappointment. They have nailed the decor, staff and drink menu. It's truly great.
The food consistently not only falls short but is surprisingly bad. It is perhaps overly complicated with to much attention going into process and preparation and none to texture or good ingredients. Layered salty beige flavor on rubbery salty beige flavor with multiple sauces with salty flavored FOAMS! I get that molecular gastronomy is very exciting and makes you an impressive chef/ scientist but impressive and not delicious doesn't work in Gastown where the bar is set so high with Cobre, Boneta and Cork and Fin around the corner -
Review from Dave C.
Vancouver, BC
1/7/2012
Spectacular!!
Been waiting forever to stop by at L'Abattoir and finally squeezed in a reservation Friday night. I was a huge PITA and shuffled around my reservation and they amazingly juggled reservations around to accommodate.
Clean decor, great cocktail list and a decent selection of wines. Did I mention great cocktail list??!?!!
Bacon brioche - reminiscent of the ones from Joel Robuchon's over the top bread cart
Poached egg and brocoli, pasta, pecorino sabayon - simple enough ingredients, execution speaks huge about the reserves of talent the chef possess.
Steelhead and crunchy potato salad - Damn right the potato is perfectly crunchy, steelhead perfectly cooked, moist, velvety, almost a smoked salmon texture, the night is definitely heading in the right direction.
Loin of rabbit - Poor rabbit had its loins cut out and stuffed with its leg meat, wrapped in bacon and served on its favorite diet of silky smooth carrot puree. Pickled radishes and baby brussel sprouts (I detest brussel sprouts, these had no bitterness to them and were delightful little gems) complimented the dish amazingly.
Roast scallops and potato gnocchi with chestnuts, mushrooms, celeriac - Light sear on scallops, delicately cooked, perfect sweetness.
Trifle with berries - I loved the bitter chocolate used in this, how it refreshed the palette with the citrus curd and slight bitterness from the chocolate and rum to finish the meal off.
In all, it was an amazing meal, a great testament to the chef's attention in placing wonderful ingredients that brings together great dishes and still execute each and every component to perfection. -
Review from Gemma J.
Vancouver, BC
1/7/2012
Great room, great atmosphere, service was spectacular.
I came here for a date that he set up. This space is warm and inviting and we got the best table in the room. Started off with some champagne and terrine of duck. Flavors were great and dishes had finesse. For my main, I had the steak Diane (recommended to me by the server) and it was so damn tasty. My date had the pork shoulder. Good portion size. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive. We had 3 different servers check in on us and I love that. Shows that they all work as a team to make sure everyone is happy.
Really enjoyed our experience here. To top it all off, I sat near Sam Neill from Jurassic Park! -
Review from Michael U.
2/19/2012 22 photos
NYE 2011 - we were treated very well. Highlight dishes below:
Note, I was still recovering from food poisoning the night before at the time of this meal.
With a few specials in addition to the daily menu noted by Romano on his return and myself knowing early on that anything beyond a couple small plates would be pushing my limits we each made our selections with our server's guidance about portions and once we had settled on a couple of courses each plus a pair of cocktails for my sister and aunt Romano disappeared briefly only to return moments later with our first bites of the evening, a bread basket on par with the very best I've ever had at such an establishment featuring house made Bacon Brioche, Seasoned Flatbread, and Cheese Twists - each of which I tasted and enjoyed but am sad to say I could not indulge in nearly as much as I'd have liked.
With cocktails poured, a Clover Club for my aunt and Aviation for my sister, it would not be long before our appetizers would arrive and just as the menu descriptions and space seemed a modern update on classical stylings so would be the presentations, the first of which was the "Dungeness crab and chickpea toast" consisting of a rounded cylinder of thinly sliced crispy chickpea-flour brioche filled with whipped garlic custard, pickled carrots, and plenty of handpicked crab. Overall flavored something like a traditional crab cake but certainly more interesting in texture my favorite part of this dish was actually the custard - clearly from an ISI whip and an example of modernist cuisine used for taste and texture, not just style.
With my mouth and brain unable to resist foie gras even when my stomach says otherwise the final appetizer of the meal would be the least elaborate yet being a nicely prepared terrine of duck liver it would obviously be the best (at least to me.) Titled "Terrine of duck foie gras - Toasted brioche, quince, yogurt" and featuring the rich terrine nicely lacquered with just a touch of sweetness, black pepper, and sea salt atop a slice of buttery brioche the plate was completed with a circular accoutrement of sweet quince puree, tangy yogurt, and coconut gelee each highlighting a different note of the liver and only the yogurt - far too sour - failing to impress.
For the only "main course" item of the evening my sister let me talk her into the Boneless quail and crispy chicken sausage roll with roast foie gras, mushrooms, and cauliflower - the dish I'd have invariably ordered had I been feeling better - and just as expected it turned out to be fantastic. Beginning first with the quail, a similar presentation to that of Joel Robuchon with the lean bird's skin crisp and overlying a layer of foie gras, the flavors were intense yet nicely balanced by the tender mushrooms and crisp cauliflower while a layer of cauliflower puree and pan jus lined the plate for added style. Moving next to the chicken sausage roll, I can honestly say the plate did not need it, but with the same fennel tinged sausage as my aunt's dish highlighted much more impressively by a crispy shell flecked with sage I certainly wouldn't have turned it down either - and the same can be said for the nicely seared lobe of foie gras that sat at the front of the plate that went beautifully with the cauliflower puree and mushrooms both.
For the final savory of 2011, another appetizer and the sort of dish anyone who knows me would have assumed I'd order, "Poached egg with black trumpet mushrooms - Potato gnocchi, leeks, pecorino sabayon" would arrive in a shallow bowl with the gnocchi pan crisped but tender forming a little nest for the poached egg that was subsequently topped with shredded mushrooms, the intense cheese fondue, and crispy leeks. Combining two of my favorite things in gnocchi and a poached egg along with the textural contrast of the cheese and the leeks the only thing that could have made this dish better would have been replacing the trumpets with truffles and even though I really wasn't feeling it at this point I can only say that the taste on the palate justified the pangs in the stomach and I finished every bite knowing full well that doing so would render dessert an unlikely option.
For dessert, Caramelized apple bread pudding with Candy cap mushroom ice cream and honey crisp apples. Presented as two thin slices of layered brioche seemingly dipped in applesauce and custard before baking the bread pudding itself was an admirable example but certainly not the star of the plate - not by a long shot. Moving past the pudding, the accoutrements to this dessert would start out simple with sliced apples and apple gel and then move into the realm of "wow" with crunchy sugar coated mushrooms and a quenelle of what can best be described as the flavor of a mushroom amplified by five yet tucked behind a layer of sweetness that I'm almost certain came from maple syrup - truly an "experience" ice cream every bit on par with the basil sorbet at EMP.Listed in: Best Bread Pudding, Best Gnocchi
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Review from Joyce P.
Vancouver, BC
11/1/2011
If we were talking food itself, I would probably give them a 4.5 star review. But with my experience last Friday, despite the great food, I don't think I'll be back anytime soon.
We had reservations around 8 pm Friday night, weren't really seated til after 8:30 and ordered our drinks and then we were left til about 9:30 before we could order.
Their ventilation had broken down I guess it was a bit of a gong show and the server, sweet as she was, told us she'd take our orders but no guarantees on how long it would take for the food to come out. We were sooo hungry already I think we should've been told exactly how long the food would take so we could have the option of dining elsewhere? We didn't get our dishes until around 10:30 pm and by then most of us were tired of sitting in the smokey upstairs and just kind of killed the night for us.
To be fair, our server was very sweet, but they could've offered us drinks while waiting or just handled the situation differently . The bill wasn't outrageously expensive but it definitely was not cheap and for that amount, I would expect a better overall experience. -
Review from Chad T.
10/19/2011
How can you go wrong with a restaurant named "The slaughterhouse" in an old meatpacking district? This place reminds me a lot of "Animal".
Naturally, I was unable to turn away from the albacore tuna confit salad with rendered, smoked pork fat and egg. WOW! What an awesome starter. I think more place sshould put rendered smoked pork fat into their salads. I would probably eat a lot more salad.
I followed that up with the Loin of Rabbit stuffed with Rabbit leg, which reminded me of an Xzibit photo from the interwebs. That is to say, totally amazing. There was a cabbage puree, radish, and of course some bacon thrown in there too.
I think they could definitely beef (haha get it?) their wine list up a bit to make some more interesting pairing options. That said, their cocktail program is legit and I think it is one of the best I've seen in Canada so far so I'm not going to dock them for it. But Mr. Sommelier if you're reading this, please consider adding more wine options because that's the only thing standing between this restaurant and greatness! -
Review from Bedes B.
1/6/2012
A friend and I had an impromptu dinner here on New Year's Eve... outstanding!
To start, we each got a celebratory cocktail (my Gastown Swizzle was light and just sweet enough) and shared the chicken cannelloni with mushrooms. The dish was on the small side (2 half-sized cannelloni) but tasted perfect, without too much cream sauce and enough texture to keep things interesting.
For the main course, I opted for the chorizo-breaded cod with white beans. It was both tasty and not too heavy. My friend also enjoyed her steak and potatoes.
Even the bread basket showed an eye for detail, with a delightful assortment of crispy, oily, flat, and biscuit-y breads. (The miniature biscuits had bacon baked in. Yes.)
Besides the terrific food, L'Aboittoire's waitstaff was incredibly gracious. The restaurant's interiors look fancy, but there are no pretensions here. Walking in on NYE, my friend and I definitely felt welcomed. Am looking forward to going back on my next trip to Vancouver! -
Review from Raffy E.
Vancouver, BC
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's places like L'Abattoir and the utterly magnificent food they serve that make me A.) want to be a synesthete and B.) wish they invented a machine that could write about the tastes I was treated to without needing me to try and grasp the experience using my feeble vocabulary.
TLDR-type of reader? Here's the short version:
Confit of albacore tuna = pretty damn delectable
Pork shoulder cooked in milk = face-meltingly good
Trio of bread to start (anchovy brioche, flattish cracker-ey sesame-seeded bread, and chopped bacon-topped rolls) = whaaa--I'm blind! I've been blinded by the wonders of delicious flavor!
(Our table asked for seconds of the bread--and we didn't get charged for it! Our server was awesome.)
We were told the scallops and oxtail dumplings were the hot menu item but they were all out that night. Curses! Looks like I'll be making another trip here soon.... -
Review from Vincci L.
A Saturday night at L'Abattoir. The decor is simple: a classic tile floor, mason jar enclosed hanging lamps, slanted shelves at the bar, which are quite cool.
We were here for the drinks. Lots of selection, and a great wine list as well. I got the Clover Club Refashioned, with gin, fresh raspberries, sweet vermouth, mint, and fresh lemon. A drink that's on the sweeter side, but the fresh raspberries are the highlight.
Also, we got a dessert: a warm chocolate tart with vanilla yogurt custard,and lemon mascarpone ice cream. This was amazing. The tart has a light souffle texture, with a rich chocolate flavour. The lemon mascarpone ice cream complements this perfectly, the right amount of sweet to sour ratio to the slight hint of bitterness in the tart.
Service was good, I had a much better experience than the first time I was here (refer to Hilda L's review), so I'm bumping it up to a 4 star review.
Plus the chocolate tart was just really really delicious.Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge., Sweet Treats.
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Review from Chuck T.
Vancouver, BC
2/23/2012
Went here a while back with my girlfriend... Our server was so knowledgeable on the whole menu. She recommended the right wines, appys, mains and after dinner drink. My one complaint was that the food was a tad too salty for my liking... Other than that, my whole experience there was absolutely amazing! Will definitely be coming back soon!
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Review from Alex B.
8/25/2011
Fantastic meal!
Pros:
-Loved the space, very nicely done. Cool bar entrance. We eat out back and enjoyed the space
- Food; excellent! Highlight for me were the Veal Sweatbreads - delicious!
- Service - Present when you needed, personable without being overly friendly or overbearing
- Interesting cocktail menu for apperitifs
Cons:
- Loved the wine list, but it could do with a little more of a price range. I had a Premier Cru Volney which was excellent, but over $100; there was nothing really bellow that jumped out.
This is a great place for French inspried NW cusine. I would certainly go back again. -
Review from Melanie W.
Victoria, BC
1/6/2012
Just a comment about front end staff....you took a reservation from us for Jan 2 a month ahead and then when we showed up you were closed for the night!! I arranged this with a group of foodies from the UK for their one night in Vancouver after a trip to Whistler...very disappointing. Thankfully, Boneta took us in and fed us.
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Review from Paula P.
Vancouver, BC
11/16/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Loved all the food and beverages we had the opportunity to try at dinner!
The bartenders craft delectable concoctions of joy- and you have a choice between traditional "boozy" drinks or lighter, gentler, complex elixirs.
The breads that come first are a mixture of textures, a brioche, a flat bread and a puff pastry swizzle. I appreciated all three, however my friend indicated an initial concern over the anchovy swizzle- I appreciated the small, salty flavor.
The cold starter, crab and chickpea starter is amazing and surprising.
It's light, flavourful, delicious and a textural delight - so unique. If you are sharing it - ask your server for a plate because it does not arrive in individual pieces but in cone shape. It's truly worth trying!
The warm canneloni starter with a mousse sauce was a heavenly rich delight.
I choose the scallop and oxtail dumplings, which in my opinion was a perfect plate - a combo of textures, flavors and taste. The scallops were perfectly cooked, the oxtail was brilliantly served in a springroll form, provided slight crunch, delicious shredded meat inside and not greasy. The plate also comes with perfectly done veggies which provide complimentary flavors and textures- super yum!
My friend had the pork cooked in milk which was so tender and delicious!
We finished with the tart-for-two which was perfect and actually larger than we thought- great for sharing between even three people.
The service was excellent. I tend to ask a lot of servers and they all responded politely, and kindly.
responded wonderfully - informative, polite and appropriately jovial.
Overall a marvelous meal!
Highly recommend this dining experience!
Enjoy.
