I am going to make a bold statement here in the world of Blogger: I think I have found my new love. Le Crocodile is the GEM of Vancouver. I am sure many of you would agree.
AMBIANCE | I described the setting of Modavie (my first blog post set in Montreal) to be very "old school Mary Jane". Today, I would describe Le Crocodile to be "Maria Jane". Modavie is a romantic down-to-earth country bumpkin restaurant (down to earth, I mean decor NOT prices). Le Crocodile is also a romantic, but upscale and smart French venue. Imagine Mary Jane flat shoes compared to Mary Jane stilettos. "Mary" being the shorted from "Maria" is such that both restaurants are similar in French cuisine and tradition, but Le Crocodile is much more sophisticated.
Le Crocodile is definitely an impressive restaurant for dates and anniversaries. While it is a swanky restaurant, its decor is far from flamboyant and extravagant. Its mood is very floral and clean. Simple with swatches of oak, burgundy and champagne, it is dated yet classic, minimalistic yet chic.
Valet service, coat check, ushers and servers, service is only the best. Our server's light humor was a pleasure.
My birthday was a few months ago, pardon the late post, I stalled on my post for Le Crocodile to wholeheartedly sit down, and do this wonderful restaurant the justice it deserves.
Mr. F ordered - Bisque de Homard parfumée au Cognac - Lobster Bisque served with Fresh Cream and Cognac
Carré d’Agneau Rôti, Jus de Thym et Sabayon à la Moutarde - Roasted Rack of Lamb, Fresh Thyme Jus and Mustard Sabayon
I ordered - Escargots Maison - Snails baked in Pastry Shells, with Garlic Butter
Caille Grillée et Foie de Canard Poêlé, Réduction de Calvados - Grilled Quail and Pan Seared Duck Foie Gras, Calvados Reduction
Dessert ordered - Panache de Sorbet aux Fruits Frais - Fresh Fruit Sorbets Made Daily
Crème Brulée a l’Orange - Crème Brulée with essence of Fresh Orange
Menu found here
FOOD | Le Crocodile is not marketed to be a "light" diner, all dishes are intricately designed to be rich and thick.Do not come with even a half-full stomach, come prepared to feast on quality food.
The presentation of the complementary starting bread is like a trailer to a movie. It is the very first impression and tasting of a restaurant, all while holding a suspense towards the courses to come. Many places surprisingly, in my opinion, fail to see the importance and significance of this starter - for I have been to many places with not only rock hard, but slightly stale, day-old bread. Le Crocodile left me with a smile on my face even before I started the courses. The choices of white and multi-grain fresh oven bread was warm and fluffy. The warmth melted further melted the butter into a golden essence. This sneakpeek was definitely a thrill before the main launch
Mr. F's choice of lobster bisque with lamb is a perfect combination. The creamy and smooth texture was a lovely entrance to a lamb entree. While lamb is quite filling, the side veggies complement the heavy sauces wonderfully. Mr. F critiques that Modavie's "lamb specialty" title still holds champion, but Le Crocodile's lamb is in a close second place.
The lobster bisque would not have eased me into my heavy duck main course, as the bisque is far too rich in flavour, but the escargots were amazing! Garlic and buttered escargots were sitting in thin crispy pastry shells looking not only adorable, but tasting golden and juicy. I even used the remaining complementary starting bread to soak up all the sauce left on the plate after we finished the shells. It hurt me to leave any bit of this dish to waste. The Escargot Maison, literally translated as the "House of snails", is my favourite dish on the menu and I say that with a certainty even though I haven't tried everything. My bird entree was beautifully tender and soft. A rather large dish, the sauce while a bit heavy, did not dominating the meat. I simply cannot get enough of fois gras - the luxury of this ingredient was cooked to perfection by Le Crocodile.
In all, I urge your to bring your loved ones here, you will not regret the experience.
909 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC
