Le Gavroche

A GuestLife Vancouver
Great Restaurant

One of Vancouver’s most elegant rooms, Le Gavroche exudes turn of the century charm, romance and intimacy. And while the extensive wine cellar houses some of the most sought after wines, some dating back a hundred years, chef Roger LeBlanc’s cuisine is modern, innovative, and decidedly French.

Le Gavroche opened in 1978, one of the pioneering fine dining restaurants in Vancouver. Owner Manuel Ferreira comments, “Over the years we’ve taken pride in keeping the restaurant inviting and fresh. Now we offer a mix of traditional dishes done in a contemporary way.” For example, a change from the conventional Venison with Bordelaise sauce sees a new twist: Venison Chop with strawberry ketchup finished with chocolate fig sauce. Yet the menu is deep in traditional French favourites, such as Rack of Lamb — by popular consent, the city’s best — and Le Gavroche’s classic soufflés are a perfect way to end the evening, light and sweet.

Le Gavroche is a proud member of the Ocean Wise program: in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium, LeBlanc selects seafood according to sustainability — and excellence. “Our philosophy is to work with smaller producers,” Ferreira explains. “We make sure we know where every product comes from, where it’s grown or raised.”

The restaurant owns Vancouver’s most enviable wine cellar, with selections from 17 countries and 25 bottles exclusive to the restaurant. Ferreira, a trained sommelier, has had a passion for wines since his days growing up in France. This is evident in the wide selection of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but also gems from around the world. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of Ferreira’s expertise and let him choose your wines. Or sit at the wine bar and treat yourself to a blind tasting led by Ferreira. Fast becoming another tradition is Les Deux Compagnons, a five-course menu of daily specialties selected by LeBlanc with wine choices by Ferreira.

A visit to Le Gavroche is a must for every visitor to Vancouver. Experience the marriage of fine French technique with the freshest of local ingredients, complemented by the world’s most lauded wines.

Le Gavroche
1616 Alberni Street
For reservations call 604-685-3924

Menu Highlights

pictured: Duck with foie gras Cromoquis, Madeira pear sauce

Appetizers

Seared Diver Scallops with Oregon Black Truffles, Yellow Corn Fritters.
Pairing: Château Baret 2002, Sauvignon Blanc Township 7 2004

Veal Sweetbreads with Harrison Hot Springs Hazelnuts, Truffle Consommé.
Pairing: Rully Rouge Jaffelin 2000, Pinot Noir Reserve Cedar Creek 2002

Lobster — Dungeness Crab: Nova Scotia Lobster Carpaccio with Avocado, Dungeness Crab with Mango.
Pairing: Rully Blanc Jaffelin 2001 — Chardonnay Mission Hill Estate 2003

Main Courses

Salt Spring Island Lamb with Mustard Crusted Rack, Boneless Shank with Gnocchi.
Pairing: Château Vignelaure 1998, Poplar Grove Reserve 2002

Duck Magret — Confit with White Peach Reduction, Star Anise Orange.
Pairing: Château Tours De Combes 1998, Mt-Boucherie Summit Reserve 2002

Grilled Sablefish — Brandade with Fennel Purée, Preserved Lemon and Capers.
Pairing: Château des Nages Vieilles Vignes 2002, Meritage White Sumac Ridge 2003

Wild Salmon Filet Mi-Cuit Carrot Ginger Coulis, Green Papaya Mango.
Pairing: Tokay Château de Riquewhir 2003-Pinot Gris Tinhorn Creek 2003

Desserts

Crème Brulée with Vanilla, Lichi Li.
Pairing: Château Romieu Sauternes 2001, Kerner Tinhorn Creek Late Harvest 2003

Soufflé with Grand Marnier, Raspberry.
Pairing: Bastord Lamontagne Sauternes 1999, Symphony St-Hubertus 2003

Grilled White Peach with Coconut Ginger Sorbet, Rhubarb Strawberry Compote.
Pairing: Moet & Chandon Nectar, Inniskillin Sparkling Ice Wine

Best of the Cellar

Château Mouton Rothschild 1900

Château Vieux Certan 1928

Château Latour 1961

Château D’Yquem 1967

La Tache DRC 1962

Beaunes Vignes Franches Louis Latour 1937

Châteauneuf du Pape Château Rayas 1990

Heitz Martha’s Vineyards 1968

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Beaulieu 1969

Hill of Grace Henske 1992

Sasicaia Tenuta San Guido 1985