Au Comptoir
French restaurant · Kitsilano ·
French bistro classics, buttery croissants, and a stunning bar
French bistro classics, buttery croissants, and a stunning bar
"The ideal Au Comptoir experience is grabbing a seat at the well-worn tin bar facing away from West 4th Ave., and settling down for a leisurely weekday lunch of tarte fine—a perfect square of puff pastry topped with peas, asparagus, and comté. Along with areallygood green salad. This casual but elegant bistro is extremely French in every way, from the classic Parisian food to the chatter between staff, to the occasionally stiff approach: the menu disclaimer that any substitutions and alterations will be politely declined is no joke. But that’s OK, because we like everything the way it is. Especially the Rossini burger with truffled raclette and foie gras available only on Thursdays at dinnertime." - Thalia Stopa
"I finished the evening at Au Comptoir, a cool yet cozy cocktail bar with a patio that stays open until 10 p.m.; the menu features spirits from Mad River Distillers (from an apple-brandy sidecar to a barrel-aged Negroni with maple-cask rum), seasonal mocktails, and interesting wine and beer options like an aged cava and the Alchemist Beer’s Heady Topper double IPA." - Valerie Li Stack
"Take a trip to an excellent Parisian bistro by way of the city’s beachside Kitsilano neighborhood, where up-and-comer chef Dan McGee and team are whipping up French standards with B.C.’s finest produce. The stunning custom-made bar comes from France, and even the serving staff are mostly French, although with the happy addition of Canadian manners. With buttery croissants in the morning, gooey croque-monsieur at lunch, and juicy entrecôte-frites with a mouthwatering crisp char at dinner, anytime is a good time for Au Comptoir." - Nikki Bayley
"Au Comptoir, opened by French expats Maxime Bettili and Julien Aubin, is an ode to traditional Parisian cafés. The bar counter, designed by Ateliers-Nectoux, serves as a focal point. Lunch plates include croque du jour and veal tartare, while dinner features carrot gnocchi à la Parisienne and four-spiced duck breast." - Abbe Baker
"French expats Maxime Bettili and Julien Aubin opened their ode to traditional Parisian cafés in 2014." - Abbe Baker