Au Petite Chagvinol–The Power of Cheese

Visited 7/7/2010, 01/10/2011

(中文)

The power of cheese! If you are one of those people, and yes I mean you! Always stunned by the selection of the cheese freezer in the super market! Always couldn’t resist the cheese platter. This is the place for you!

In honestly, the first time I visited a wine/cheese bar was when I visited Shanghai. My friend being one of the cheese maniac, recommended at tiny little place in SH. I was stunned by it completely. Apparently, wine/ cheese bar is pretty hip in Shanghai. The cheese and prosciutto were just mediocre over there but the atmosphere is superb. Come to think of it, we always have access to the one of the best selection of cheese in the world. Why didn’t we have something similar in comparison? Shortly after my visit to SH, I start digging places in Vancouver. How can the best place to live doesn’t have a nice and relaxing place to enjoy Wine and Cheese???!!! Au Petite Chagvinol is IT! Hidden on East Hasting Street in the middle of no where. I have driven pass it three time and still couldn’t see its obscured red neon “cheese” sign. There is nothing showing the name of the restaurant. Except the red neon cheese sign. But I guess that’s all it matters!

 

 

Tonight we are having end of the night desert after dinner @ Les Faux Bourgeois. (Perfect date combination if I may suggest) With a bottle of German Riesling and Cheese platter… let the chilling begins~ Three cheese tasting was priced at $11… very reasonable price compared to all the fancy “fine dinning” restaurants. We have ordered
1.la sauvagine (from cow)
2.bleu des basques (sheep)
3.aged goat gouda (goat)

All three cheese were outstanding, La sauvagine’s texture is very similar to Brie Cheese, soft and silky full of milk flavor with hint of grass. On tops of the hot plate it started melting away, perfect with the crunchy croutons. It totally melts always your tognue.  The bleu des basques is a kind of blue cheese, a nice unique salty flavor without overpowering smelly shoes smell. So even if you are not that adventurous in blue cheese. This one might be your entry course. The cheese has very deep depth, every taste is slightly different. Don’t take my words for it! Try it your self~. Lastly, the aged goat gouda has a very sweet goat cheese flavor, as the server described it is very thick. To be honest, I don’t think it’s good for tasting, but I could imagine how good it is if you spreads on tops of pizza or pasta. It will make your dish rise into the next level.

The best part about this restaurant is that it is also a Cheese shop. If you like any of the cheese that you tasted it. Simply go to the store next to it!

The only bad thing about it is that it closes at 10pm. Come on~~ With such environment, it is such a good place to unwind during the weekend. I wish it open later for night owls like us~

Worth the drive? Yes
Food: 25/30
Decoration: 23/30
Price: $20~$40
Notes: Please see my review on meals in the later post!



Reference: http://www.aupetitchavignol.com/