Vancouver Magazine

In times of economic uncertainty, it’s no wonder this savvy new effort from Stephan Gagnon (ex-Jules Bistro) and Andreas Seppelt (ex-Go Fish) plays to a packed house every night. The room is a delightfully unpolished gem devoid of tablecloths, linen napkins, or uniformed wait staff that offers budget-friendly bistro classics that appeal to our most base desires. Daily blackboard features supplement a fetching menu that never exceeds the $20 mark. Start with the escargots bourgogne ($8) before diving into steak with salty house-made frites, elevated by pungent garlic aïoli, a steal at $16. And for dessert, crême brûlée, chocolate mousse, and lemon tart (all $7). Oenophiles masquerading as servers maintain a spirited atmosphere of clinking glasses and lively chatter with hefty pours of the cheap and cheerful. Best call ahead.