Cru Restaurant

Very good food, but very pricey, We had the crab w/​goat cheese soufle, pea risotto, and hand cut frites. I think the risotto was a min under done but it was good. What’s up with pea shoots? It was on both our appetizers and at the buffet at River Rock they had it at the salad bar… anyway, great place!

Just awesome, favorite place for an upscale lunch with clients. Tables are close together so private conversation isn’t really possible, but great for casual talk. Really good coffee too. Best crème brûlée in town.

Been here a few times.
Was here tonight for dine out. Loved it all minus the panna cotta.
Wasn’t so a big fan of cardamom and chocolate being melded together for a panna cotta.
My top recommendations are the char-​grilled caesar salad and crème brûlée.
The crème brûlée is D-VINE.not too thick of a layer, so crisp, but perfect thickness to crack into.
I shoulda wore sweats to dinner…

Since I went there as part of event that closed the whole restaurant for the night I cannot comment on the regular menu but I will comment on the service and food quality.
First, service was great — both for the hors d’oeuvres that was passed around at the beginning of the evening and for the table service we had for the rest of the night.
What was the most amazing part was having four choices on the menu for evening and everything coming out for everyone at the same time with great quality. I have been to catering places recently that can manage this job on timing but not with the same single order QUALITY we received the night we were there.
I very much enjoyed what I had and looking at the completely empty plates around me it seemed that was the case across the board.
Job well done!

This is a cozy and good french bistro on Broadway. I have been CRU for few times and never disappoint me.
3 of us ordered 3-​course fixed menu, food were delicious and well priced.
Beef Carpaccio — fantastic and good to start with.
Beef Tenderloin — inspired balance of flavours and textures that excellent!
Ling cod with red curry sauce — it was so fusion and perfect.
Chocolate torte with lavendar ice cream — just a bit too sweet, still good!
Goat Cheesecake — a bit sour but very rich.

This is one of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver. Though it is on busy broadway, Cru has a quiet, warm atmosphere with excellent service and unbelievable food.
I have gone there on three separate occasions with my boyfriend and it never disappoints. As such, I’ve tried several of their dishes, and have yet to find one I did not enjoy. We get the small plates because we enjoy sharing dishes and we’re not huge dessert people.
My personal favourites are the Duck Confit, which is cooked to fall-​off the bone– perfection, and the Caesar Salad, which tastes like no other Caesar salad you’ve ever had and is served on one large lettuce leaf. (I suspect it’s calorie count may be outrageous, but it’s well worth it!)
The Onion Tarte is also mouth-​wateringly delicious; the pastry was just the right combination of flakey and moist, and it was sweet without being sickening. The Morrocan Lamb also stands out because the zucchini, egggplant and olive dish with which it is served is just as good as the lamb itself.
If you’re on a budget (as I usually am), it might be a stretch to eat there, but simply not ordering alcohol will cut down the bill significantly, and the food is worth every penny. If you’re looking to spend a little more, even the cheapest wines and champagnes they offer are good.
It’s a small restaurant, so reservations are a good idea, but I have found them to be very accommodating to walk-​ins and last minute reservations, especially on weeknights.
So, what are you waiting for, get yourself to Cru and see what all us Unilocalers are raving and drooling about!

Ordered the Beef Tenderloin Carpacccio, Beet salad and Duck confit. All beautifully prepared and well priced for the portions that you received. The croutons that came with the carpaccio had the best flavour of any croûton I’ve tried. I also loved my roasted golden beets — the vinaigrette was the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. Duck was fall –off-​the bone-​tender but not greasy and the spaetzel and cabbage and bacon accompaniments created nice contrasts and textures on the palate
The wine connoisseurs in the group thoroughly enjoyed their wines– although the wine pairing/​colour symbols were a bit confusing on the menu, as they had multiple colours next to each item and it wasn’t clear what the colours indicated at first, but once we cottoned on, the wide selection of quality wines was appreciated :)
Overall, service was polished, professional and unpretentious. Cru has been around for a long time, and in an economic downturn is it great to see a quality establishment continue to stay open and thrive!
Highly recommended!

A hidden french cuisine gem on broadway ! Thank you Unilocal for steering me towards this place … I went here for lunch with a group of 6 people. We weren’t able to make reservations online for parties of more than 4, but calling in ensured us a spot.
Let me start by saying that the service was excellent ! Our server guided us through the menu, suggested what went well with what, and checked up on us enough without being overbearing.
And then there’s the food… where do I begin. Everything on the menu looks amazing ! They have a lunch special where you can order 2 courses for $ 19 or 3 courses for $ 24. We went with the 2 courses, entrees and desserts (the soup of the day did sound tempting as well).
Our table mostly had the sablefish entrée and the Risotto. Both were a hit. The fish was cooked to perfection, the caulifower sauce hit the spot and the miso layer was a perfect pairing for the entire dish.
For dessert I had the brownie, and some people also tried the goat cheesecake (which I was skeptical about). But again, the desserts were amazing !
I left feeling full but not stuffed ! Would definitely recommend this place if you’re looking for a nice upscale lunch at a reasonable price.

Wow! Who’d a thought I could get excited about croutons?! Croutons?! Well let’s say that the amazing croutons were indicative of the entire meal.
When we first walked in on the stormy evening that was Vancouver last night we were immediately warmed by the simple, elegant coziness of the small room. We were greeted with warm smiles by all three of the calm, professional floor staff working the room with a quiet ease.
We were glad to have a table tucked far away from the door. The wine list is simple and nicely laid out into groups of juicy, smooth, etc. We ordered a bottle of Allegrini Palazzo delle Torre. The 3-​course prix-​fixe menu had the extended DOV price of $ 38 but it was noted as being $ 42 only anyway. We both chose the grilled Caesar salad which was the dish of the best croutons I’ve ever had. It was about a ½ head of romaine, grilled, loaded with cheese and delicious dressing. The croutons were lined neatly up on the side. At first I was going to pass on the little cubes of bread but thought I should at least try one. Made from fresh baguette then seasoned with butter, salt and garlic — I was instantly in love. I then had the mushroom risotto with truffle oil and the hubby had the beef tenderloin. Both were perfectly cooked and flavoured. We almost didn’t have room for dessert but we were in for the 3 courses so dessert we had. One was the warm apple spice cake and the 2^nd was the chocolate torte. Holy yumalicious!
Everything was absolutely perfect and we will be back!

I went to Cru for the first time recently for a dinner party for about 10 people. Reservations were at 6:30 and we did not get out of there till 10:30! Service was poor and delayed and was the only reason we were there for so long. We had to wait at least an hour before the server came to take our food orders. Bread came served with the meal, and by that time, probably at least 8:30, we were STARVING!
And we had to ask for EVERYTHING. e.g. Can we order now? Can we order dessert now? Can we get our bills please?
The only thing I really appreciated about the service was how she kept our water and beverage glasses filled. Definitely not worth the 17% mandatory gratuity for parties more than 7.
I ordered the pork, which was topped on barley and kale and some sort of shitake-​like mushroom. The pork was very tender and moist but it was heavy on salt and didn’t have much depth in flavour. The kale, barley and mushroom was tasty. Portion size was just enough (for a 5’4″ female).
I had crème brûlée for dessert, which was decent. Not too eggy.
Food was pretty good 3+/5. But service was ²⁄₅. Average 2.5÷5.
Probably wont’ be going back too soon. There are way too many places keep trying out in Vancouver!

This was the first of many more visits to Cru.
I loved the décor, it is modern and understated while still managing to be warm and comfortable.
The organic greens salad with the vinaigrette dressing was nothing to write home about although it was dressed to perfection. We all ordered either the 2 or 3 course lunch meal and all ordered the Sable Fish as the main. Across the board we all thought it was fantastic. The sable fish was plated vertically over a bed of mashed potatoes and creamed leeks. A bite that contained all 3 flavors and textures with a piece of the oven dried tomato was perfection. For dessert, we either had the crème brûlée or the chocolate torte both of which were excellent.
The service was attentive without fawning, just as it should be at a restaurant of this caliber.

Yum! This restaurant has great food — some of the best food I have tasted in Vancouver. On Wednesday nights they have a date night: a 3 course meal (for 2) and a bottle of wine for $ 99. Pretty good deal.
The reason why I wouldn’t give it a 5/​5, is because of the interior. It’s pretty dated. They desperately need to renovate and liven it up in there.

Cru is a small hidden restaurant on Broadway that offers fine dining with reasonable prices and personable service. This was a Monday night and the space filled up completely for dinner so reservations are highly recommended. Cru has a Three-​course Prix Fixe menu and it’s quite a good deal. I always get their Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio as an appetizer since it’s just delicious! We also ordered the Pan-​seared Qualicum Bay Scallops and Riesling-​poached Pear. Two scallops were lightly coated then seared and served with a lemon-​caper foam, it was very nice. The Pear was refreshing and light with side salad.
Entrees consisted of Pan-​seared Sockeye Salmon and Angus Beef Tenderloin, both perfectly made and flavourful. No skin on the salmon and cooked just right, over a bed of lentils. The Beef was oh-​so-​good!
For dessert I wanted something light so I substituted a Chevre cheese plate instead. Plain and simple served with crostini and sweet roasted walnut. The Little Goat Cheese Cake is not your usual ordinary cheesecake, this was served with fig jam, wine-​poached grapes and was sandwiched between ginger snaps. Absolutely delightful and not heavy at all.
I never say no to this place!

Hearing legendary things about the Vancouver food scene, me and a buddy wanted to sample some fine dining during our visit for the Olympics. A quick search for top restaurants on Google led us to Cru. Plus they were the only one still open and accepting reservations, this made our choice quite easy.
The space was small, with just two rows of tables lining the walls and single walkway in between. Very dark and intimate, the candlelit restaurant was quiet and romantic. Then come in two loud and obnoxious Americanos reeking of Crown Royal and poutine sporting the red, white and blue. Needless to say, I think it was obvious we were out-​of-​towners.
Regardless of our citizenship and the fact that the U.S. hockey team had just defeated the Canada team, service was friendly and attentive. We kept it simple and went with the three-​course prix fixe menu.
We started off with some beef tenderloin carpaccio, caperberries, truffle aioli and shaved parmesan. We also had the seared foie gras, a parsnip purée and a wine sauce drizzled over with a bit of toast. Pretty darn good. Raw beef and seared foie always gets my endorphins jump-​started and the fragrance of the truffle aioli was just titillating.
I believe the menu is reflective of fresh seasonal selections that are readily available so I was eager to sample the lingcod caught in local waters. Excellent fish, the flesh was white, firm and flaky with an amazingly sweet subtlety. Perfectly cooked, the lingcod sat on some greens and was complemented with a slightly salty, savory broth.
My friend had the beef shortribs, tender but slightly over-​seasoned in my opinion. I don’t remember much of his, I just remember being happy I ordered the lingcod and making him feel like crap for not doing the same.
We had dessert too. I think I had the goat cheese cake. One bite was all I could handle, the sweetness was overpowering but then again I’m quite sensitive. Girls like sensitive guys.
All in all a very satisfactory experience at Cru. It’s without a doubt that our neighbors to the north have an excellent array of fine dining choices and at a very agreeable price. If Cru is any indication of the cuisine that can be had in Canada, I’m a fan. I had a fine time and look forward to visiting again, until then, stay classy Vancouver.

Small, cozy little restaurant. Wanted to try French food within the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage for a later show of Les Miserables. The tables are pretty close to each other but as a fellow New Yorker, I guess I am used to this. The service and food was great… except do not get the selection of assorted cookies for dessert! I didn’t think they were anything special…

A bit off the beaten-​path, but worth the drive to Cru. For true.
I Unilocaled Cru Restaurant and wish to applaud my Western Unilocalers for their excellent reviews and savvy writing style. You gave it 4-​Stars on average and it did not disappoint! Cru offers the diner their choice of tasting menu: pre-​determined or custom-​built. Of course I chose the custom option.
We arrived a little early for our reservation and ordered a half-​bottle of Champagne from the bar. I always love it when you get to chat wine with the owner and I did so at the bar at Cru. It just makes me feel welcome and cool when the host or hostess digs your wine style (or humours me, either way it’s cool).
When we moved to our table, I was oh-​so-​pleased at their dining room layout: open-​concept with tables lined along two rows. This gives the New York style of bustling energy and conversation; just enough noise and excitement to peak your excitement of the meal to come. We were completely satisfied with the menu, featuring locally raised faire and interesting Contemporary French Bistro style selections.
If your visiting Vancouver, take the $ 14 cab ride from downtown out to Cru– you’ll get a nice view of the city and a lovely meal at a decent price.

I had a negative impression of this West Coast/​French spot for several years: I don’t like the font used for the awning, the atmosphere appears stuffy from without, and the menu always looked overpriced to me. I ate here this past week for a work function and was surprised at the diverse menu and the comfortable ambience.
We ordered: the duck confit, the beef tenderloin, the smoked tuna, the frites, the wild mushroom risotto and a few rounds of beet salad. Apart from an excessively dijony spätzle with the duck, everything was cooked well and thoroughly enjoyed.
Having said this, there are definitely some black marks against this narrow, South Granville hot spot. First, there is no draught beer (I always freak out over places that fail to offer sweet sweet brew on tap). Second, Cru has adopted the predictable (and trademark Vancouver) «small plate» format. That is, there are no full entrees unless you order the prix fixe, and diners are encouraged to order several small, dainty dishes (which usually add up to more than a single entrée at any good, popular restaurant). Lastly — and related to the above topic — every small plate was about $ 2-​to-​$ 3 too expensive. The food is great and the preparation is spot on, but I really did feel like I paid a tad too much per plate.
If you are in the hood, hit-​up Bin 942 rather than Cru.

So New York. Elbow-​to-​elbow, white linen, tiny pretty portions.
I’ve been twice and wowed by one dish, a seasonal onion tart that was outstanding. Very attentive service, knowledgeable staff.
It’s got more of a rushed feel than I like when I’m out for a fine meal. I find the seating less comfortable than ideal for a long, savouring meal and a private conversation isn’t possible if the next table is occupied.
This is a high quality dining room, it’s just not a favourite of mine.

An intimate sliver of a fine-​dining restaurant, it’s just two rows of white-​clothed tables and a cozy, modern place to celebrate a special occasion – such as your Golden wedding anniversary, your promotion to VP of your company or a modest lottery win.
Cru is well-​known for its award-​winning wine list, which makes it a great choice for those who appreciate fine wine and don’t mind throwing down some serious bank. The fixed price menu is three courses for $ 42. If price isn’t a factor for you (or someone else is paying the bill), you can try some unique dishes and original takes on old favourites.
For example, the Cellar Door Caesar salad is about a quarter of a heart of romaine lettuce grilled, served slightly warm with it’s outer edges singed. The thick dressing is beautifully drizzled and it’s finished with asiago shavings and an oversized garlic croûton.
Our server insisted on using the Royal We the entire evening. As in «And what will we be having tonight?» «Could I suggest we try the Albacore Tuna Loin this evening, it is looking especially divine.» He was well-​trained, knowledgeable, helpful and totally full of himself.
The menu changes, but whatever you find on it you can bet it’s going to be a culinary experience. They also have a small plates menu and an extensive by-​the-​glass wine list. The restaurant lives up to Ocean Wise standards, so you can feel good about eating their fish dishes.

This is a rather elegant restaurant that has some great tasting food. I had a steak here that was cooked to perfection and with the wine bar there’s no shortage of appropriate wine pairings.
Food is plated very nicely although the portions are very European (aka smallish). The taste is delightful so it makes up for the size.
If you go here expecting big though or needing big portions this is definitely going to be a disappointment.