Date nights are such a rare occasion for me and my husband. So when we were invited to Jules Bistro a few months ago, we jumped at the chance to go. We were so excited to try some good French food and have a nice date night!

We arrived just before 6pm for an early dinner. The restaurant patio was full so we took a seat inside. The have a fabulous outside patio and the inside decor was so quaint. It reminded my of this little spot we had dinner when we were in Paris a few years ago.

We each ordered a glass of wine and started with Effingham Oysters & the Spring Salmon Sashimi Salad. This was my first time trying Effingham oysters and I found them to be similar to Kusshi oysters which happen to be my favourite. The sweet and saltiness of the oyster went well with the ponzu sauce and green onion drizzle.

The Spring White Salmon Sashimi salad appetizer was huge. You could order it as your main because it was that big. The amount of salmon was generous and I found the taste of the white salmon to be milder than the more commonly used red salmon. Our choice of appies were a great way to start off our meal.

The mains came quickly after our appetizers. I decided on the Beef Bourguignon and so happy I did, it was amazing!! Unfortunately, it is not part of their regular menu and was only a feature that night. I’ve had Beef Bourguignon in Paris a few times and I have to say this is the best I’ve had. The sauce was so rich and flavourful. And when you add the smooth buttery mashed potatoes to it I honestly have no words to describe how delicious this dish is. The beef was so tender that it fell apart when I picked it up with my spoon.

My hubby had the Alberta Beef Tenderloin. He loved his dish. I tried everything on his plate and thought it was good. The beef was tender, juicy, and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The ratatouille & scalloped potato were good accompaniments. My husband is a big eater and he was happily stuffed.

For dessert we ordered the Roasted Pineapple with Gingerbread ice cream with a star anise syrup. I'm not a huge fan of pineapple but hubby enjoyed it. In his words, it was a "great balance of sweet, tart, hot and cold". As for my dessert, I was a bit disappointed. I ordered the Sour Cherry Claufotuis. It was a bit undercooked and I wasn't a fan of the very sour taste.

All in all we had a fabulous meal with terrific service. I would definitely return to try more of their dishes. So if you're looking for a casual French restaurant that offers delicious & affordable French cuisine, definitely check Jules Bistro out. You won’t be disappointed!

Jule's Bistro
http://www.julesbistro.ca/
216 Abbott Street,
Vancouver, BC
(604) 669-0033
Tuesday - Sunday, Open 11:30am