grayelf Oct 29, 2009 11:39 PM

Small and dark and lean and lovely: venison at Chambar

I can't believe there is no thread devoted to this resto (maybe my mad search skills just didn't find it)... Anyhoo, took the SO here for his birthday dinner at his express request. When the SO asks for a resto, we go, as that doesn't happen often. It was a great excuse to try Chambar which has been "on the list" for ages. I opted for the infamous Blue Fig cocktail (fig-infused gin with a side of Danish blue) that lived up to the hype, with the sharpness of the cheese cutting the sweetness of the fig just right ($11) though I would have preferred it colder, which is a complaint I often have about martini-ish drinks unless the SO is making them :-). The birthday boy had one of the Trappistes, a Rochefort 8 beer ($11) which he was guided to by the helpful and well-versed server, steering him away from the hoppier options as requested.

I had to try their special poutine belge (the red wine sauce with tamarind, green peppercorns and blue cheese make it special) which was outstanding despite the absence of curds. Very sizeable portion (more fries than you get with the moules I observed) so a deal at $6. The SO went for a "petit plat" of coquilles St Jacques which he described as a deconstructed rumaki with scallops subbed for chicken liver (okay, I used the word deconstructed but that's what he meant with the Kurobata bacon and water chestnut and all) -- his favourite taste of the meal at a fairly pricey $16 for three scallops.

I went for Chevrreuil aux raisins (Cassis & juniper venison loin, stilton croquettes, braised belgium endive, coronation grape & aged sherry sauce $29) for my main which was fun as I don't think I've ever had venison loin before. The dish worked really well with the tastes melding nicely (popping a grape in with the meat and sauce was somewhat revelatory) but the endive was a dud. Too flabby, weird sweet marinade and what tasted like pumpkin spice -- no trace of the nicely bitter endive flavour that would I think have been a nice counterpoint to the somewhat sweet sauce. No matter, as the attending potato croquettes were delicious and the scattered brussel sprout "shells" added enough veg/green.

The SO opted for Omble de l'arctique et crevettes (crisp arctic char, coconut rice, olive oil & citus poached shrimp, corn & zucchini ratatouille $28) which was also a hit with the char cooked properly and a good crispy skin. The accompaniments were all well done, but I didn't taste any coconut in the rice which I would have called a risotto -- tasty but a bit confusing).

Since we had a Thomas Haas treat waiting at home we decided not to order dessert though there were several tempting ones on offer including a milk chocolate lavender pots de creme that I will have to investigate soon. I mentioned that was why we weren't ordering dessert and our delightful server brought us a dish of house-made truffles as she "couldn't let the occasion go by unnoted." Tres classy (and delicious) -- check out the rather dark pix attached.

The room is quite pretty if somewhat reminiscent of Campagnolo though cosier, and also quite loud though it was bearable. All in all, a very good meal, and the guest of honour was delighted which made it even better.

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Chambar Restaurant
562 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3, CA

Chambar
562 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC , CA