Cheese, Please!

So the whole cheese and wine thing is such a luxurious and gluttonous spoil that it's kinda surprising that it's totally taken off here in Vancouver. I mean, when Salt opened up in Blood Alley, who knew it'd be such a hit? Admittedly, walking past rats and druggies and the homeless only to arrive at a chic and sophisticated cheese and wine bar does have its charm. Maybe that's why I prefer Salt to most of the other wine and cheese bars that have cropped up since. Like Soma off Main Street, for example, which has now closed its doors.

A friend I know has opened up his own place out by the water over in Steveston, called Gudrun and is toting itself as a "fromagerie"! Definitely will need to make the trek out there to check it out! If you're out in the Steveston/Richmond area, do stop by and see how it is and report back!

The latest cheese-ery to open is from the owners of the cheese shop Les Amis du Fromage, with another French-titled place - Au Petit Chavignol.




WhippetSnippets and I went to see what this was like earlier this week, and already I've gone back for a second helping!! She took these great photos of our evening there, where we sat at the bar and dined on a plate of cheese, drank wine and sparkling pear juice, and noshed on some delicious mac and cheese!





Upon my second visit just last night, I opted for their amazing Croque Monsieur sandwich, sampled some charcuterie, downed some rose wine, and even sampled the dessert!

Overall, this place is FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC!!! The service is friendly, the food excellent, the space small but fun, and just a great way to spend an evening with a friend or two. I do love Salt, but the parking situation is better near Au Petit Chavignol, though the neighbourhood is still a bit on the sketchy side (johns and prostitutes meet just around the corner), but as long as no one's hurting one another, right?

Plus, I felt more comfortable here than I do at Salt, just because Salt has become hip and trendy and has attracted all the beautiful people whereas Au Petit Chavignol has more of that community, all inclusive vibe. In one corner sat some lesbians, while two old ladies took the window seat, two gay men sat at the other end of the bar, and everyone in between mingled and took up the rest of the seats. I even ran into several people that I know and have only been twice!



They don't take reservations, and seating is first come first served, so expect a line-up if you're gonna go during prime dining hours. They close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which I think is pretty smart since a lot of places are closed Sunday/Monday, and those of us who do venture out on those days now have somewhere cool to go!