I wanted to give this place 5 stars, I really do. Here's a little tale of my dining experience. My lady and I arrived on a Saturday night about 7PM. The place was half full, mainly because of a small wedding celebration in the back. Seated instantly. We opted for the three course menu for $35 per head. It's a pretty good value for the quality of food you receive, with decent portions. French food is known for quality vs. quantity, and I didn't leave the restaurant hungry. Here's what I ordered: First off, I need to mention that the bread was FREAKIN' FANTASTIC! I seriously could've eaten a whole loaf for dinner and been satisfied. I do note that I wish they had regular salt that wasn't placed in a simple shaker. It would be cool if they had fleur de sel or lavender rock salt. #pretentious First course I had the Fresh Herbed Goat Cheese Terrine. Arriving with pickled beets, it was bit too rich for my taking and I ended up spreading the terrine on the bread. I had a bite of the Salmon tartare with crushed avocados, and I highly recommend that! It's basically great sashimi. Main course was the Duck Leg Confit with mashed potatoes and zucchini au gratin. The zucchini took the plate here! It was perfectly baked and had just the right amount of cream sauce. Enough to flavour the zucchini thoroughly, but didn't leave a pool of cream at the bottom of the bowl. Mashed potatoes were as expected,with the duck leg having a crispy skin, and sufficiently fatty to keep the meat moist. It was consumed with vigor, and the slightly sweet citrusy gravy. Had a bite of the scallops, and they were one of the best scallops I've ever eaten. Worth it. Dessert was a fabulous crême brulée. Just what I expected, and enjoyed it. For drinks, we both had an Absinthe Martini and a glass of red wine. The martini was done well, and left ice cubes in the glass to sweeten the absinthe as they melted. I preferred it if they left the ice in the shaker. The red wine was appropriate for the meal, and at $12 per glass they are generous pours. Good enough to last two or three courses. The main thing preventing me from giving the place 5 stars was the service. It was friendly, but forgetful. Both of our dishes were mixed up, and the waitress forgot to bring the wine. After a reminder, she brought the wine but the wrong bottle. It was a simple mix-up, but I took notice because a) the resto was half full, and b) I expected better service for the price of the plate. Will I be back? You bet, the food is too good not to notice. It's a welcome addition to the Drive. read more

Absinthe Bistro - Absinthe martini - French Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This gets a high rating. The atmosphere is small yet open. A friend and I had reservations for 7:30 on a Thursday, which was a good time to go because it's not too busy at this time. Great because this place apparently gets very busy. The food was great. I tried the tuna appy along with the crab cakes, which I especially liked. It comes with a basket of bread & perfectly made whipped butter. For the entrees, a friend had the lamb & I had the scallop & potato dish. It was so satisfying & delicious. The scallops were seared to a perfect texture with a sauce that made them taste even better. The lamb fell off the bone as it should; however, it's on the heavier side. To accompany this, I had the absinthe margarita, which was unique. The service is great, and I would love to return to try their other dishes. read more

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This restaurant is located on the Drive. The restaurant isn't very big so you will need to make a reservation to get a table. The owners are super friendly and service is good. We brought our own wine for a $24 corkage fee. There are only 3 starters, 3 entrees and 3 desserts to choose from on the menu. I really like small menus. The portions are generous. We were stuffed by the end of the night. The fixed menu is the best value. We tried the octopus and it was good but the portion wasn't huge. The pork hock terrine was delicious and was substantial. The terrine has meat texture and wasn't just a pate. That was my favourite starter. I tried the sablefish and lamb shank entrees but I enjoyed the poached sablefish more than the lamb shank. The shank was too gamey for me. For dessert, we shared a creme brûlée. I especially liked the creme brûlée because it was very light and not overly sweet. This place is more $$ rather than $$$. I think it was good value for the food quality and portion size. read more

This place changes their price fixe menu regularly. Last night I had their raw tuna which I felt to be quite fishy tasting. I didn't like it. Friends had the soup with crispy prosciutto which they enjoyed. I had the sablefish as the main which was better. The fish was cooked perfectly. Last I had the creme brûlée which was generously portioned but it was soggy beneath the brûlée though friends has the same but theirs were more set. Also tried the lava cake. It was cooked perfectly with the centre melting but not too sweet. The open air kitchen is nice but leaves your hair and clothes smelling like it after as well. read more

Absinthe Bistro - Raw tuna on a bed of funnel and other garnishes. - French Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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We had beef carpaccio and octopus ( the best octopus ever, soft and grilled slightly)entree. Scallops & fish ( very tasty) and rabbit ( not to my liking) for main. Lava cake for dessert. . The menu is pretty smaller (3 choices for entree, 3 for main and 3 for dessert) Excellent place and reasonable price. read more

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We ate here 2 years ago and decided to go again as they had a menu that appealed to us. The service is very good. We decided to have an appetizer and main course each. My husband had the steelhead with goat cheese, pecans and beets and I had the potato veloute with shrimp. They were both good but when I asked my husband what he thought of his entrée he said that he was expecting more as in more food and possibly a bit more finesse. For entrees my husband had the steamed sea bass with shrimp and I had the lamb shank. They were good but the lamb shank was no better than lamb shank that I make at home. When I asked my husband about his sea bass he said it wasn't as good as what he had on a cruise we were just on - I said "but theirs was really exceptional", he said that it also wasn't as good as the sea bass at another of our favorite restaurants. We felt that the restaurant really is somewhat overpriced. It is a nice enough restaurant but it is not the sort of place you would go for a nice romantic evening out and yet the prices charged are what you would pay at a fine dining restaurant. It was nice but we just didn't feel that the value is there. read more

Wow! Amazing! I think this is the best meal I have had out in a awhile. All three courses were fantastic and I'm really glad a friend suggested we go here. We decided to order one appie, 2 mains, and one dessert which came out to be around 40 ea. The appie we ordered was Salmon Carpaccio. We both got the Filet Mignon which was melt in your mouth fantastic! Lastly we had the Classic French Vanilla Creme Brulee which was a little shallow but it tasted like perfection. I enjoyed every single course and even the bread given to start you off. Someone seated next to us ordered the Butter and White Wine Poached Tiger Prawns, and they looked so good. The service was excellent. I loved the pinot noir I had ordered with my meal and she wrote it down for me. I believe the waitress is part owner with her husband who does all the cooking. Now, it is a small place, so you want to make reservations. We had to go early, like 6 pm, but I'm so glad we came here. The ambiance is dark and intimate. The tables are small and close to others, but it's b/c it is so small. I love this place and will definitely be coming back! read more

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My wife and I had our anniversary dinner here and the food, service and ambiance was excellent!

Amazing food and vibe! Loved the crab cakes and Creme brûlée but honestly everything was great!!!

My wife and I have loved eating here for the last few years. The food is marvellous, as good as Bishops at its best! Juliana looks after everybody as if each person is a special friend, Cory is an incredible cook. We have worried about how they both would cope with the restaurant closure during the Covid 19 epidemic, but today we ordered the set-menu as a take-out and it was magical. I suppose not quite as good as eating in the restaurant but still a very lovely evening meal. If you want really lovely French food in Vancouver Absinthe Bistro is the place to go.! read more

Wow, this place had delicious food! Crab cakes were full of crab and seasoned well. Steak was again seasoned well and very delicious, I wish I had tasted chimichurrri sauce like this before. The scallops and prawns were succulent. For what we had tonight, and the price we paid, you could pinch me and wake me up from dreaming. The gentleman that took care of us was full of life, knowledgeable about the neighborhood, and really treated us like friends. read more

The appetizer and main course here were excellent. Very high quality and presentation. Very nice and professional servers. We felt the desert could have been better, and overall we felt the money for value wasn't quite there. If the $40 set included a drink and better desert this would be a 5 star. read more

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We came to try Absinthe strictly based on it's status as Vancouver's highest rated eatery. We came away absolutely convinced that it's lofty status is richly deserved! It's a tiny space, 10 tables inside, 2 out, with 3 chefs & 2 waiters turning out exquisite dishes for adoring diners for the insanely cheap price of $C 35 for the three course prix fixe. Awesome! Every dish we ordered was amazing and at a brilliantly affordable price point. Perfectly seared scallops, sous vide flank steak with chimichurri sauce, potatoes Anna, lava cake, rice pudding with salted caramel sauce, and a wonderful garden fresh gazpacho appetizer. We were sorely tempted to lick each plate! Suggestion: the noise level was fairly high. If they would hang some red (to match the red wall) swags from the ceiling it would hide the pipes and soften the sound profile. You must, absolutely must try this place before the masses discover it; you won't be able to get in soon! read more

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Food: 5/5 Drinks: 5/5 Ambiance/Service: 5/5 This is one of the best meals I've ever had. Hands down (and the boyfriend agrees). We went on a Wednesday night and each got the full 3 course meal. We each got the tuna ceviche as our appetizer and the sou vide filet mignon as our main. I got the chocolate lava cake for dessert and he got the creme brûlée. Starting off with the tuna ceviche - HEAVENLY. So light and the tartness was perfect with the lime juice. The avocado added just the perfect amount of fattiness as well. Oh! They also gave you complementary, fresh baked french bread with an amazing apricot, chive butter - it was addicting!!! The filet was incredible. Melt in your mouth soft, perfectly cooked, and the red wine sauce was a perfect pair. It also came with crushed potatoes and asparagus (both were also stars of the show). Finishing up with dessert: the chocolate lava cake was rich and served along side some of the best vanilla ice cream I've ever had, the creme brûlée was sweet and luxurious with the perfect crunchy layer of caramelized sugar on top. We also got drinks! How can you come to the Absinthe Bistro and not get drinks! My boyfriend started off with the "Black Fairy" (absinthe, black currant liqueur (?), and prosecco) and I had the "Absinthe Citrus" (absinthe, simple syrup, and lime juice). My drink was so delicious I went back for another of the same kind. By boyfriend thoroughly enjoyed his first drink, but went back the second time for an absinthe drip - this is where it gets fun. They bring out the glass with the slotted spoon and sugar cube and a whole big, beautiful, water fountain to drip the water over your sugar cube at the table! This was his favorite way to drink the absinthe. I know this review has gotten long but I just wanted to say thank you to the tiny family running the Bistro, we had such an amazing time and we're so thankful for all the love we could taste in your food, and the kindness that you showed us while we were there :) read more

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Happy 5th year anniversary to this wonderful bistro! My wife and I came here for the first time this week quite randomly - we had never heard of the restaurant or had any recommendations. We decided on them as a "new place to try" for us. The food was amazing and reasonably priced, but the best part of the night was the smile, care, and service from the owner, Juliana Pearson. It was a full service when we went, and she made her way around to every table with genuine care and attention to ensure that everyone's needs were met. She chatted with us and her warmth was infectious. My wife and I appreciate good food, but service certainly makes for more exceptional experiences. We will definitely be back....! read more

had wanted to come here for the longest time. Just had an amazing dinner with friends. Wonderful flavors and presentation of the dishes. Couldn't ask for more genuine and attentive service by the owner-operators. True, the menu is limited but everything is phenomenally executed. We ordered different dishes and shared between us so we can try as much as we could. Such a pleasant ambience too. We will be back! Facebook fan #808. read more

This was a bit of a last minute dinner plan, reservations made the day of, and served to tick another place off the list. The bistro is small and quaint, and the server was very friendly in a genuine way. Tonight was a holiday fixed price menu (which is a lot more worth it than ordering the starter/entree/dessert individually!). We shared everything (and ordered all different dishes of course). Here's the run down: Starters - Warm apple tart with cheddar and bacon: at first, I was like huh? Apple tart, but not for dessert? It was quite an interesting combination that was savoury definitely worked. The apple was of course not raw, but probably poached or similar. There was quite a strong sour/acidic taste to the tart that we couldn't pin point exactly, until we looked closer at the bite of tart and noticed the mustard seeds. It was a bit on the strong side, but not unmanageable. - Tuna tartare with cauliflower puree: there was quite a lot of tuna (from far away and the dim lighting, I could have thought it was tomato!). Perhaps the "lightly cured" part of the tuna gave it a bit of a strange subtle taste, but it was still good. I quite enjoyed the cauliflower sauce. - Bread: not sure which starter this came with (or if it's kind of like the complimentary bread at restaurants type thing), but the apricot/garlic butter was so delicious. You think that butter doesn't taste like anything, but I would beg to differ. Wow, achievement unlocked for making butter something heavenly (not just lard and salt haha). Entrees - Duck leg confit: this had a very Christmassy taste to it, if you can use "Christmas" to describe food. (I guess they did something right, if this is on their holiday menu and evokes images of Christmas!) The dish, although not extremely colourful, was very earthy, and the 3 elements (black pudding, chestnut squash puree, mustard glaze) that accompanied the duck all had their own unique flavour. The mustard glaze I may have mistaken for fig, because it had a similar sweetness and texture to it (probably the mustard seeds). - Lamb shank: the meat was fall of the bone tender, and sauce was characteristic of a strong red wine reduction. I quite enjoyed the mashed potatoes, which were scooped neatly beside a very cutely cut zucchini ball, which was perfectly cooked. Dessert - Chocolate lava cake: you can't go wrong with lava cake! This was definitely the best part of dinner - ooey gooey chocolate, with something else to it. There was a dark richness and depth of flavour that indicated detail to the nuances of what a dessert entails, aside from just the sugar. - Creme brulee: this was the "classic vanilla creme brulee." I love tapping my spoon to break through the hard caramelized sugar almost as much as I like eating the creme brulee itself hehe. The top was perfectly thin, and the custard bowl shallow as to give a perfect ratio of custard to crunch. I appreciated that real vanilla was used, evidenced by the black specks of vanilla remnants left behind after all the custard was inhaled. Though the dishes didn't seem to present as massive portions, we were all extremely satisfied by the end. Definitely the purees and sauces and richness of the dishes all added up haha. We both agreed that the starters and entrees were very good, but there wasn't one that stood out as giving a wow factor. Dessert had to be the highlight (though we both have a sweet tooth, so also may have been a contributing factor). It was a great dinner at Absinthe Bistro for sure! read more

The cultural variety just keeps getting better out here at the Drive and there is almost nothing better than soaking in the sun and enjoying some fine wines at a quaint French restaurant. The couple's story (owners) of how they met just adds to the passion of this small restaurant and that passion is translated into their deliciously chosen menu selection. Our night started off with an owner inspired Absinthe mojito and a beaujolais which was refreshing for a summer's day. Next came the appetizers; prawn cake with arugula and goat cheese with avocado spread. Our main menu consisted of duck leg confit and a salmon wellington. Both considerably moist and exploding with flavour. Not one bite left me hanging. Ask for the window seat in the evening. On a summer's night, there's nothing more laid back than spending some quality time and good food with loved ones. read more

Absinthe Bistro - Absinthe mojito - French Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

It's by far my favorite! The owner was sooo nice and it's a pleasure to be serve always by smile. The food is cooked with dedication. We enjoyed our dinner 100%. Will revisit for sure! read more

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If you like French bistro in a casual environment, you have to try Absinth. Start with an excellent cocktail and move into a rotating menu of French classics. Very solid cooking, my lamb shank was perfect, the sauces were spot on and the service was excellent. Recommended. read more

I don't remember the last time I had such a delicious meal! I had the two-course prix fixed meal (main dish & dessert) and it was stunning. Even the yummy French bread with chive-apricot butter was out of this world. Then came my tender lamb shank which was huge and delectable in its subtle wine sauce. It came with potatoes gratin which were fantastic, and braised leeks. To finish I ordered the creme brûlée', which was out of this world! The lightly torched caramel top wasn't too sticky, and the part underneath was creamy and delicious. The owners are delightful, welcoming and gracious, and I'll definitely be coming back here. The menu is small (they offer a selection of 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 desserts). And they change the menu monthly. Better to have a restaurant that does fewer dishes that are all outstanding, than offer pages and pages of dishes that are barely mediocre. Absinthe Bistro knocks of out of the park!! Highly recommended!! read more

Authentic French cuisine, "menus" at two prices, you can choose starters, mains and desserts with three choices in each category. We had the less expensive menu with just the main and desserts. I had the scallops with all the fixings and my wife had the lamb shank. Both were to die for. The menu is posted on their website daily so you can check it out. It changes frequently. Their bread is flown in frozen from Montreal regularly then cooked fresh at the restaurant. So yummy! Service excellent and I thought the prices were great for the quality. The chef trained for several years in Lyon, France which is the mecca for culinary training in that country. I lived there for a year in '84--85 probably before he was born or just after. Anyway, we're going back and you should go. You won't be disappointed. read more

An absolute gem on Commercial Drive. Opened just recently and is situated in a great foot traffic area just across from the park, near Havana and Biercraft. This place will surely be discovered and booked up soon. The amazing food and great value will help to seal its popularity for those who want to have great French food without the fine dining atmosphere and prices. Absinthe Bistro is all about comfort -- you will find no pretentiousness in here. It's small and unassuming inside. Cozy, clean interior with an open kitchen concept where you're literally enjoying the sight, sounds, and smells of the chef's magic while you eat. A three course meal is $35!! A great value considering how many times I said "wow" or "mmmm" during my meal, and also considering how large each dish was -- especially for a French restaurant. To start, I had the herbed goat cheese terrine with greens. This was lovely and light. The "terrine" of cheese was very spreadable and easy to eat on its own or enjoy with the bread served to the table. For my entree, I had the slow braised pork cheeks with scalloped potatoes and apple cider sauce. Wow. This might be some of the most tender meat I've ever had the pleasure of eating. You don't even need a knife for this dish. The sauce was a good balance of sweetness without taking away from the savory pork. I loved this dish and would absolutely recommend it. Lastly, I had the creme brulee. Suffice it to say -- it was pretty damn good. The crackle on top was great and the consistency was very pudding like which is how I prefer it. The owners (chef and his wife) are a young sweet couple that I'd love to see succeed. If they keep producing food of this quality -- I can't imagine they won't. The food is simple and delicious. I can't wait to come back here. Kudos to Simon K. for putting together a UYE so I could try this place out and have a fun evening with fellow Yelp friends. I managed to walk out of here feeling overstuffed thanks the obscene amount of bread and butter I consumed and (embarrassingly) the second order of creme brulee I consumed after sharing one with Isabelle G. Thankfully Mark H. helped me out with it. I normally have far more self-control but that creme brulee was wicked good. read more

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I've walked by this place a few times, however, I must have been so self absorbed in my IPOD that I missed it...shame on me. I love French food, especially crème brulee. I am a bit of a crème brulee junkie. I will get more into the crème brulee later I promise. The atmosphere is nice and cozy, nicely decorated, however, not too pretentious which is refreshing. You can come as you are or dress up a little like I did for the evening. The bathroom is nice and clean and almost half the size of the restaurant which amused me. The staff are really sweet. Our waitress made a disclaimer being the only one on staff before hand, however, when you're with good company with good conversation, you don't notice the time for your food. This place is also perfect for dates. The husband and wife team look so sweet and in love that you can't help but be inspired by love when you're with that perfect date. Good food and love is what makes the world go round. The care they seem to have in each other is also in the food they plate. Whomever said that love is the magic ingredient in food is a genius 'cause these guys sprinkle this ingredient into everything. The prices are fair market and very reasonable in comparison to the upper stuffy joints. $35 for 3 course meal is a steal considering the quality. I had a hard time holding a conversation once the food came 'cause I was in culinary bliss as the flavors danced in my mouth. I don't know much about absinthe. I don't drink alcohol; therefore, I got a quick tutorial lesson courtesy of our waitress. I'm always interested in learning food history and methods (I am a Food Network junkie). the herbed goat cheese terrine with greens was so smooth that it went down my throat like velvet. It almost could be a dip with the bread. The cheese had nice fresh herb infusion. It was like walking through the farmers market captured in a brick of goat cheese. The slow braised pork cheeks with scalloped potatoes and apple cider sauce was amazing. The cheeks were nicely marinated and the flavors of the apple cider and the pork complemented rather than compete. You know that a dish is serious business when the knife can be kept on the sidelines. The Salmon Wellington with Beurre Blanc Sauce and Scalloped Potatoes was heaven in every bite. The fishiness of the salmon with the sweetness of the sauce complemented perfectly with each other. The salmon was wrapped in filo pastry, a warning for those on the gluten free diet. Last but not least...*drum roll please*...The crème brulee. I broke the tradition of having my crème brulee first since I was sharing it with another fellow Yelper Meana, however, it was worth the wait. The crust was nicely torched with a slight burn that tasted good with the crème, almost like a campfire treat. The center was nice and thick with a coolness in the center...the way a proper crème brulee should be. Compared to other restaurants, the portion of the crème was generous. I proudly walked into the restaurant in the beginning and announced my pride in having saved all my Weight Watchers points only to be laughed at. I was told that as soon as the meal comes out, that would all be thrown out the window. Everyone has free range to say, "I told you so." I am glad that I blew my calories on a good meal. It's nothing an extra work out at the gym and a walk from the train station can't handle. read more

Just writing this review is making me hungry and want to go back asap *pouts* Came here for a UYE after going from DT to Coquitlam then to here, within a span of less than 2 hours. Needless to say, I was exhausted and ready to eat some delicious food. I was not disappointed at all! Goat cheese terrine: Very very good. I loved the creamy, smooth texture and it was very tasty. It's thicker than a dip, but you can use it as a spread and put on bread. I wished I did, but I felt like I would be taking all the bread at the table if I did that XD Braised pork cheeks with scalloped potatoes: Holy crap that was good. Falls apart so easily so no knife is needed. The apple cider sauce went really well so you get the full flavours of the pork cheeks. The potatoes were awesome, a bit creamy and soft, just how I like 'em. Molten lava cake: Of all the things, this was my favourite. This is by far the best molten lava cake I've ever had. Sorry Beard Papa, but you've been beaten. When you cut into the cake, the chocolate from inside the cake oozes out and when you have the cake with the vanilla ice cream together, it tastes like heaven. Also, did I tell you how much I love having vanilla bean ice cream? Juliana, one of the owners, was our sole hostess and server and she was absolutely fantastic and gracious, along with her chef husband. She explained about the history of Absinthe and showed us how to prepare it. Needless to say, I was fascinated to see the sugar dissolve into the absinthe with water for the first time. Will definitely have to come back when I get the chance! read more

I have to recommend this place, it's a very decent French bistro with a limited seasonal menu with great wine prices but wait the best part is.... 2 course (starter + entree or entree + dessert) $28...yes $28 wow what can you eat for $28??? Well I started with the goat cheese terrine, very good size terrine with a side salad to start. Wait I forgot to tell you about the bread, it's a proper French bugette crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside served with super yummy butter (and the bread is FREE) Entree I had the Lamb shank (melt in your mouth) with veal demi glace, garlic mesh potatoe 3 course (starter, entree + dessert) $35 Dessert: must try Molten chocolate cake ( I can't describe how good it is, just try it yourself) Vanilla icecream is made in house with real vanilla bean It wasn't very busy when we went but they are a new restaurant, I'm sure by the time word gets around they will be fully booked every night. BTY, we ordered a bottle of 09 French Bordeaux for $45 (I think Liquor store price for this bottle was $22) Good value. read more

This is one restaurant that is worth the hype. Stellar service and absolutely spot on food at a great price point. Unpretentious and delicious the way french food should be. I'm french and this meal was better than a lot of dining experiences I have had in both Paris and Lyon. We had a couple good cocktails followed by the pâté en croute (which I have never found in Canada); the duck which was fall off the bone tender (though it's actually the accompanying braised cabbage that stole the show!) and crême brulée for dessert. Typical bistro fare that was uncommonly well executed. Just plain perfect. And boy was I was glad to be able to walk home as I was so full! Just one little thing: we had a reservation for 7:30 and didn't get seated until nearly half an hour later. Other diners could see we were waiting and still took their time. Yes it is a wonderful culinary experience worth savouring, but we were a little bit surprised to have to wait outside (though the lovely server did offer to heat the patio for us) and surprised by the attitude of other patrons. Delicate situation and we understand people couldn't be asked to leave, but this was a special meal for us, an anniversary and put a bit of a bad tasted in our mouths (which the rest of our experience did redeem.) read more

We always wanted to try this restaurant, but you have to phone or email to make a reservation. I admit that if I can't do this online, I'm slow to do it and then it can be hard to get in. The service was prompt and polite. The food arrives very quickly. The portions are a little on the lighter side (I had the scallops entree and it came with three), but the food is so rich both my husband and I left full. I found the prices very reasonable for such high quality food. The restaurant is very small so the tables are quite close together but overall, if you're looking for quality, flavorful food, you won't be disappointed. read more

A friend and b/f wanted the wife and me to join them for a dinner, and they had made reservations here. Had never been, had never heard of it... so was going in with a pretty open mind.... Reservations are pretty important... I like that they had a sign out front letting people walking in from the street know when the next available seating was (we had a reservation for 6:30pm, and the next seating avail. was 8:30pm on the sign when we showed up). The place isn't very big.. so it will fill up fast. I had read a few reviews here about the place before going in, and had checked out there menu online before arriving... I had set my mind on the 3 course fixed price menu choice... I went with the goat cheese and beet appy, the pork cheek main, and the panna cotta dessert. The appy was small, but a great size to get the appetite started out... the beets were cooked well, with a little bite left in them so as to not be all mush... the goat cheese was a hit all around as well (even from a non-goat cheese liking person). My main was super super tender... the accompanying mash potatoes were so smooth as to be a paste... and the accompanying veg mixed in (carrots) were like the beets... cooked, but with still enough bite to have crunch and texture. The dessert was not overly sweet, and it complemented the end of the meal nicely... I left feeling full, satisfied, and happy with the overall service (outstanding), quality and quantity for the price. Would definitely recommend giving this place a try... however until the menu changes (which it says it does frequently), I think I'll wait.... I'd like to try some different choices before going back again. read more

Fantastic food, wonderful service and a great environment. The personal touches and pride the staff takes makes this a splendid dining experience at a very reasonable price. read more

If I could give this restaurant a 6/5, I would--my boyfriend and I came here for my birthday dinner and were blown away. This family owned restaurant serves delicious food and what really made the experience 6/5 stars was the ambiance and service. There is so much thought that goes into each dish and the flavors and taste show it. We got the shrimp ceviche as an appetizer and we were served warm bread with outrageously delicious butter (I could have eaten that all night). For the main, I got the slow braised lamb shank and my boyfriend got the crab and salmon wellington--both presentation and taste were outstanding. For dessert, we were served the lava cake on a special birthday plate with a candle. The dinner overall was magnificent, but it was the service and the family vibe that made this dinner extra special. We 110% will come back here when we visit Vancouver again--this restaurant is a MUST. read more

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I see everything when I visit restaurants and so do the lovely couple that run this restaurant! Right from entering the premises you feel like you have been taken into a boutique somewhere not in Vancouver. The decor and lighting is so welcoming. We had a warm attentive greeting and were seated right away (we had reso). My friend suggested this place for a girlfriends catchup and we went just last night (Saturday). The food was to die for. Every element on the plate was placed with purpose and executed with such precision. There was nothing that was "extra" or a gimmick here. I had the octopus salad and my friend the mushroom soup. The flavours, textures and colors in the octopus dish were sublime - a party in my mouth. For the next course we shared the black cod entree and the steak entree. Again nothing short of perfection; we asked for our steak to be done to a certain level and we got exactly what we asked for. The wine list is extensive and covers off a good portion of different types. We both had a couple of a glasses and it was a fab compliment to our meal. As we normally do, we started yapping whilst eating our appies (girl's catchup!!) and clearly our server could see this because our entrees didn't just arrive on our table "whenever" or too early as happens in a lot of places. Our entrees arrived when our server could see we had finished our appetizers. For me these things matter - a lot - bravo! There was also no pretentiousness or attitude at any point in our experience. In an expensive place like Vancouver this is the kind of service you want when you are parting with your dollars. I will be coming back here again and again to give your my dollars!! When I got home I read that its actually a husband and wife team that run this place - I love this story and wish them all the success! read more

3rd Time at this Amazing Real Deal French !st Class Bistro. This couple are so passionate who run this restaurant. It's a very small room with the open kitchen. I have to have a glass of Absinthe with my meal here. Just have to. We always choose the $35.00 3 course meal. This time I chose the Carpaccio to start and then I couldn't for the second time resist the Duck Confit. And to end my perfect meal I had the Chocolate Lava Cake. What more can I say except that I hope I can always get a table. The only small thing is I would love to hear some Jazz or french music in the background. read more

The definition of proper drinking and dining. Unmatched hospitality. Great food and cocktails. No more than 30 seats in the place because they understand that you cannot adequately serve more people than that and keep the quality. The husband-and-wife-duo-aspect of it just makes it all the better too. read more

In love with this cute little French bistro! A tiny menu that changes constantly to keep their offerings as fresh as possible, and the server to guest ratio was wonderful - our water glasses (without ice- how European!) never went empty. The atmosphere was lovely, as the kitchen and dining area were one space, It was like you had your own private chef cooking for you. I can not say enough good things about this bistro; you must eat here! read more

Absinthe Bistro - Apple Cider braised pork cheeks - French Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

The best service here! Staff are so happy here and makes everyone feel so welcome! The food was amazing too. Such great value for their set menu, and the option to choose just an appetizer and a main/ main and dessert allows for flexibility for those who don't like sweets. Must try! read more

This place is amazing! My bf brought me here for my birthday dinner and it didn't disappoint. The duck pate and glazed tuna salad were delicious. The show stopper was definitely the scallops. Don't know what was in the sauce but it was so good I could have drank it. The parsnip purée with the lamp was very unique and delicious. The lava cake was made with a dark bitter chocolate and I loved how it wasn't too sweet. Also had a bite of the creme brûlée which was good but a little too sweet for me. Overall, I'm so happy I came here. The decor and the fact that you can see the kitchen is so cool. Service was excellent also. Will be sending my parents and all other couples here because it makes the perfect date! read more

Absinthe Bistro - Scallops and lamb. - French Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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We LOVED this restaurant. The hostess was very friendly and attentive. The chef was FANTASTIC. One of our guests had some food allergies and the chef came to our table to assist her with making choices from the menu that would be suitable as well as offering to adjust a few dishes to make them OK for her to order. I will definitely come again! Thank you for such a pleasant and fantastic evening. read more

My favourite French restaurant in Vancouver! Every time I come here, it's a refreshing but familiar experience. The set menu is always similar, but with slight changes to keep things interesting. I absolutely love the soups, and every other item I've had is absolutely delicious! Prices are very reasonable for a set menu, whether you decide to have dessert or not, with alcohol being on the pricier side, which is understandable. However, their Belgian beer selection is great, and has opened me up to a few new beer choices. Good food and good service are the perks to Absinthe, every experience here is friendly, and personal, with the restaurant owner personally serving and conversing with you. You don't feel like another customer here, but a friend and patron, that they value and remember for next time. 10/10! read more

Absinthe is a great local restaurant . During COVID , you can take out a beautiful , perfectly cooked three course meal at a very reasonable price . Juliana is lovely and kind read more