When it comes to choosing my next culinary adventure, I usually heavily rely on word of mouth and Google reviews. Once in a while, a place randomly catches my eye — and that’s how I unexpectedly discovered Stable House Bistro.
Stable House Bistro is located just off of South Granville Street. I would have probably missed it if I didn’t stop to contemplate the beautiful mural. A quick look at the menu was enough to convince me it was a place to try.
The Atmosphere
When I looked through the window, I immediately liked the quiet and intimate vibes radiating from Stable House Bistro. At the back of the restaurant, there is a seating area with dim candle lights — a perfect setting for a date. There are also a few counter seats and a table secluded in a little nook where I could observe the entire restaurant from.
The Food
At Stable House Bistro most dishes are meant to be shared. The menu is seasonal and — although it is not publicly advertised as such, the food was really French-inspired. I liked how they made a point of using local ingredients to craft their dishes, and how they emphasized their wines as much as their food. The concept is all about great pairing, and their drink list had a few interesting features.
Cheese & Charcuterie Board (three items- $21)
There is no better way to start a meal than with a Cheese & Charcuterie Board. We could choose three items from the menu so we went with the Chicken Liver Mousse, the Snapper Rillettes and the Buffalo Blue Cheese. Everything was fantastic, including the pickles, the honey, the mustard and the trail mix that came along.
The Chicken Liver Mousse was airy and deep. The fried onions sprinkled on top added some nice crunchiness to it. The Snapper Rillettes was fresh and light with some subtle sweet notes. The Buffalo Blue Cheese was strong, but not overpowering, and it paired fantastically with the honey. The fresh bread was also a great addition to the board.
Lamb Tartare ($10)
If I had to vote for the winner of the evening, it would be without the shadow of a doubt the Lamb Tartare. It was absolutely fabulous. The meat was fresh and tender and the flavors were well balanced. The lemon and sour cream probably toned down the rich lamb taste, but not to the point of making it bland.
Carbonara ($16) & Local Pink Scallops ($18)
I rarely have pasta cravings, but I was in the mood for Carbonara. It was well done, but I have had better ones. I would say this was the most average dish of the evening. A couple more bacon bits would have been welcome.
Local Pink Scallops ($18)
We ordered the Local Pink Scallops to end our meal. The waitress told us that they were closer to mussels than actual scallops, but it did not deter us. I am glad she warned us, or I may have been disappointed. The scallops were served in their shells, bathing in a flavorful and creamy white wine sauce. They were surrounded by apple dices and herbs. It was really tasty, and I would have loved a few more scallops!
The Drinks
Sparkling Red ($13) & IPA Beer ($9)
I started off with a sparkling red wine, and this was a first. This red wine felt really light —probably because it was served chilled and had fine bubbles. I love heavy-bodied wines, but this was a really nice discovery. Later on, I also enjoyed a delightful Greek white wine, which was sweet and fruity. The drink menu also changes every night so you can discover countless of great wines in this establishment, and that’s the fun part! If you are not so much of a wine lover, Stable House Bistro also has a selection of beers on tap.
Calvados ($16)
Last but not least, I was extremely pleased to see that Stable House Bistro had a solid digestive list. Calvados is about all I need to finish a meal, so this dinner ended very well.
Overall
Stable House Bistro delivered on all fronts. The food was delicious, the wines were excellent, the service was great and prices were fair. I can see myself going back regularly for a nice date.
It didn’t have that ‘wow’ factor that pushes me to give it 5 stars, but quality-wise, it was a great dinner. The fact that I didn’t expect much from it probably comes into play here, but regardless, I was not disappointed at any times — which is huge!
If you want to enjoy very good food and wine in a relaxed atmosphere, I’d say Stable House Bistro is a solid option. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
Stable House Bistro
Opening hours: open everyday until 10pm (opening time varies)
Website: click here
Address: 1520 W 13th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1P1
Telephone: (604) 736-1520
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
