- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee |
- All
Categories: Cajun/Creole, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
3014 Granville StVancouver, BC V6H 3J8
Neighbourhoods: Fairview Slopes, South Granville
(604) 732-7550
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
15 reviews for The Ouisi Bistro
All Reviews
The Ouisi Bistro
8/29/2010
It's been a while since I've had Ouisi for dinner. This was back in the day when the prices were quite high, and I think things have changed still. The menu looks great still.
What I do know is breakfast.
There are about a million kinds of bennys. The usual suspects: Florentine -Brie, Regular, Smoked Salmon. And a few wild cards: Crab Cakes, Chorizo and Creole Sauce, Gouda and Bacon.
If you're looking for something lighter though, may I recommend the "Egg on Me" - poached egg, tomatoes, greens, cucumber, cheddar with ouisi potatoes (spicy).
The service is friendly and quick and if it's a nice day, the back door garden will be open for seating.
If you're like me, maybe you need a little pick me up in the morning. Mimosas, Caesars and my fav, Mint Juleps are on deck to start the day off right.
The Ouisi Bistro
7/26/2010
I've been working on South Granville for the past 5 years and only now have I discovered this neighbourhood gem.
Never having tried Cajun food, I'm honestly not sure if this is the real deal. I don't care. The food is rich and flavorful.
Today I went and wanted a patio seat. I was told we'd have to wait a while so we just opted to sit inside. As we placed our order though, we noticed room outside so we asked to switch. No problem. So we were hanging out in the sun, waiting for our food when the server comes apologizing profusely that when we switched, he had forgotten to punch in our orders. He gave us two mimosa on the house for the wait. Great for me =)
Then our food comes and I'm done my mimosa so I remind our server that we had originally ordered beers with our meal. He comes back and another two beers on the house and much apologies. The sun was out, the food was good so I couldn't have cared less. Free booze is always good.
I had the Jackson Square which was two poached eggs on crab cakes. Absolutely Delicious.
Last time I went for dinner I had the Hotter Than Hell chicken. It was soo tasty although I could only finish half before my stomach ruptured. The server came out with free ice cream to cool our mouths.
So far every visit to this joint has been a positive one and I'll definately be going back for more!
The Ouisi Bistro
7/22/2010
I really like Ouisi. It is my brunch and art date place. We go here for brunch and then we wander around and look at art after being satisfied with a high yumness factor.
I love corn bread and there is no shortage of it here! There Petit dejeuner comes with poached eggs, sharp cheese on corn bread, and some very seasoned potatoes. My other fave is the brie and spinach eggs benedict. Also there bean soup is vegetarian and great on a colder day.
If you get a chance in the warmer months, sit out back on there great garden patio.
Listed in: Best Hangover Cures, Best Veggie Eats!
The Ouisi Bistro
8/20/2010
I went in here to meet some friends eariler this evening (8/19) and the agrro barkeep/manager/ahole behind the counter started on me immediately like I was there to score drugs or something. I didn't see my friends and he was snide to me on my way out. He said something like "f*cking freak" and when I flipped him off he started to threaten me. Loudly, in front of at least 10 customers.
Glad I intercepted my friends outside so I didn't end up giving them any of my money. I suggest you don't give them business either. Beside, it didn't even smell like a cajun restaurant, so I doubt the food is anywhere near worth the attitude or high cost.
The Ouisi Bistro
5/8/2010
The service and the rest of the staff were good. No complaints about that.
The food, however, was awful. I took a friend who had recently returned from New Orleans for a dinner hoping it would remind her of her trip. I asked her honest opinion of the food and she said it's nothing like the "real thing." That's fine... you can't expect it to taste exactly the same. In general though, the taste was just bad. The Gumbo might as well have been straight out of a Chunky Soup can. The Jambalaya might as well have been an Uncle Ben's recipe. The tasted like it was cooked in Campbell's tomato soup with a dash of safeway Cajun spice mix. The muffuletta was basically just a small ham and cheese sandwich with some olive relish in it... at least it was edible.
The decor was nice, but the music was too loud for my liking. And it was empty... on a friday night.
I will not return.
The Ouisi Bistro
3/16/2010
It was alright, but not good enough for me to return...
I've eaten Cajun food in the US and ever since I haven't been able to find good Cajun in Vancouver. It may have been for lack of the 'Mardigras' people. I ordered on several occaions, the beef stew and a fish dish, but it didn't have much flavour and it was alright. I had to add lots and lots of pepper.
They also serve brunch there, for what I think it is a hefty price for what I got. Again, I don't think Cajun is a bunch of tomatoes mixed with hot sauce and add some meat to it. There's lots more flavours that needs to be added, and this was missing lots of flavours in their dished.
Again I was disappointed in their brunch as well as dinner.
I think for the price, it didn't deliver for the quality. The ambience is nice, it is dark and artsy inside with decor related to the old 'Blues & Jazz' paintings that are commonly seen in many places in VAncouver. Nothing special, so I wouldn't return or recommend this to a friend.
The Ouisi Bistro
4/18/2010
I would have had the alligator, except I'd had some gator nuggets a couple weeks earlier at Jethro's. Went for jambalaya instead. It was nice but could've simmered on the stove an extra few minutes by my estimation. I sort of liked the decor and paintings of jazz musicians, but I didn't like the Rhianna album cranked way too loud for us and the three other patrons in for lunch. The selection of 70 or so bottled beers from around the world will definitely draw me back again, just maybe not to eat. And maybe when there're enough voices to drown out the music.
The Ouisi Bistro
7/21/2009
Went here for a friend's going away party Sunday. Every daily special is on special on Sunday.
I had the gator bites (spicy small pieces of alligator) and deep fried catfish for main. The catfish was so melt-in-your-mouth good, with a spicy mayo, that I don't mind what is reported here as a slow service. Four stars, would return. I would give it 5 stars if the prices were a little lower.
The Ouisi Bistro
5/10/2009
Very small, dark, intimate space, dressed up to be very Jazz/New Orleans oriented. It's casually fancy, if that makes sense.
I've never been a fan of cornbread, and however well they made it, I still don't like it.
That being said, I did order a lovely chicken and smoked duck sausage gumbo. I love the taste of file powder. It's so...distinct. And I greatly enjoy the subtle bitterness it adds to the dish. Thankfully, while not a fan of "smoked" flavour, I found it to be not overpoweringly smoked, but rather very complex and deep in flavour, with a decidedly "smoky" undertone.
Needless to say, it was delicous. probably could have done without the sausage. But the chicken was moist and flavourful.
The green rice that came as the side was a great compliment as well. The lime-flavour cut through the richness of the gumbo well.
The Ouisi Bistro
8/20/2008
Located at the north end of Gallery Row, Ouisi Bistro serves up some of the best Southern cooking this side of the bayou.
The menu is divided into two parts: Cajun and Creole. The former's "rustic, hearty and spicy" flavours are what distinguish it from the "more [subtly] seasoned and refined" of Creole cuisine. For those with more conservative tastes, Ouisi offers more standard fare that is delicately infused with both the Cajun and Creole spirit--it is guaranteed enliven the palette. The Provencal Chicken with its tomato-caper-green olive and artichoke heart hash, fresh herb butter and lightly sautéed vegetables is delicious. If you're in the mood for something hearty yet ighter, the Vert et Blue salad is sure to satisfy--tossed spinach, roasted pumpkin seeds and Danish blue cheese, all topped with a sweet calvados vinaigrette.
For those inclined to venture outside the realm of caesar salads, try your hand at the alligator bites (served with Cajun tartar sauce) or the Southern Fried Catfish with roasted squash and sage cream sauce. Both of which will surely render you into a well-sated stupor. Be sure to leave room for the pecan pie, though.
Softly lit with jazz posters adorning the walls, Ouisi Bistro is fine casual dining at its best.
The Ouisi Bistro
8/11/2009
While Cafe Barney and the other places north of here fill to line ups on the street on the weekends for brunch, I can always get a good table for 2. The brunch menu is good and the coffee well made. I suggest Hash it Out for the strong of heart or if you are going over to do the Grouse Grind after brunch. I sometimes drop in late for a small bite and glass of wine at the bar, they are always full but not as to make you wait for service. On nice summer days check out the hidden patio at the back. During the Jazz Fest they have live small band trios and duos mostly. As other HOT places in the hood close, they just keep on trucking, try the alligator your only chance in town to knowingly eat reptile, it does taste like chicken.
The Ouisi Bistro
1/15/2009
This is one of the few spots on South Granville to relax with an evening drink. But don't go if you're in a hurry or have a particular love of prompt service. The word of our evening was "Waiting".
By most considerations, this spot deserves at least three stars. But my review is that moment in life when a professor/teacher gives you a bad grade and dares you to do better because that teacher knows you can be excellent. I'm daring you Ouisi!
The beautiful interior is decorated with warm, soft colors and paintings of jazz musicians and dancers. Along one side of the bar stretches a bench in the same style as a park bench.
Our server was very laid back and friendly; however, repeated attempts to bring her attentions to our empty glasses failed. When three people have been sitting staring at ice cubes for 10 minutes, it's time to inquire about refills or the bill.
I found the bathrooms very clean, and the hand soap (from Rocky Mountain Soap Company) smells edible. I will return to Ouisi because I know it has four, if not five, stars in it. We just need to see it!
The Ouisi Bistro
3/25/2010
My husband and I were getting ready to hit the road back to Seattle and we saw this place...so glad we did. It was a perfect Sunday brunch spot. I had a great eggs benny and he had some spicy creole eggs dish that he loved. We also split an order of blueberry pancakes (It's a long ride back to Seattle!) and they were soooo good-crispy on the outside and not too gooey with blueberries on the inside. We will definitely go back the next time we are in town!
The Ouisi Bistro
11/17/2009
This is the only place I know of in Vancouver where you can eat a damn alligator (to be honest, the meat is a little rubbery.) Ouisi is dark but cosy inside, a casual but not too casual bistro with a nice ambiance. They mix some nice drinks and serve food right out of New Orleans. I can't vouch for the authenticity of the dishes - I haven't spent much time in the South. But the jambalaya, jerk chicken and po'boy sandwiches make this place a reliable favourite, and a great standby if you're headed to Vij's and find a two-hour wait.
The Ouisi Bistro
8/27/2008
Walking into Ouisi, you can practically hear the twang of a banjo as you are transported to the Deep South for the spicy taste of Creole and Cajun cooking. The menu here offers some pretty adventurous fare (alligator anyone?), but there are also some lovely salads with things like artichokes and chevre. Yum. This place is no paradise for the vegetarian, and since I am one, I can only comment on a few menu items, but there is a good portobello mushroom burger that is worth coming here for. The atmosphere is also tastefully done with pictures of the jazz greats covering the walls, and for a summer day there is a really lovely patio out back. The service here is consistently good and friendly, making Ouisi a Vancouver favourite.
