L'Abattoir: Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

"L'Abattoir is located in the center of Gastown between historic Gaoler's Mews and Blood Alley. The restaurant was built in the 19th century and is the site of Vancouver's first jail. Originally buttressed to the city's main butchery and meat packing district, the name L'Abattoir pays homage to the neighbourhood's colourful past." - L'Abattoir


L'Abattoir features intriguing, complex menu items in a hipster gastropub environment.

Romano, server extraordinaire, took very good care of me!  I sat solo at the two top bistro table between the open kitchen and the bar as beautiful plates were served.

 


I began with a lovely aperitif: a Alfonso made with
Sparkling wine, Dubonnet, sugar, Angostura bitters, citrus oils.

I found the smoked sturgeon carpaccio to be overwhelmingly tart.  The grapefruit and fried jalapeno overpowered this appetizer with acidity.  The avocado seemed out of place and the caviar was just so-so.  It was, however, a beautiful dish.

The pan-fried (veal tongue) sweetbreads on toast with rich, creamy, herbal sauce gribiche was amazing! 

Veal tongue sweetbreads

Smoked sturgeon carpaccio with grapefruit, fried jalapeno, and caviar.

The description of the next dish was the most interesting I've ever read!
 Loin of rabbit stuffed with its legs served with radish, panisse, bacon, and mustard sauce.  It was wonderful; tender, flavorful, sweet and savory meat.  The bacon really completed the dish!

Another dish that was bland but pretty was the Dungeness crab, chickpeas, in a toasted brioche cuff with light garlic custard and carrot pickles.  The presentations was lovely, the execution, not so much!

Stuffed rabbit loin

For the most part, I enjoyed my meal at L'Abattoir; from the decor, history, service, and beautiful food.

I definitely recommend visiting if ever in Vancouver!

Ceiling candy 1

Ceiling candy 2

http://www.labattoir.ca/index.html

My favorite taxi driver during my visit!