Café Boulud, known for its incomparable French cuisine, has now introduced their Family Style Feasts. From that team brunch, to a catch-up with your closest friends, to cherished family reunions this could easily become your new go-to culinary destination for groups (ideally for parties of eight to 12). Forget the traditional high tea with swanky hats. Instead, reimagine the fine dining experience by breaking bread at a communal table while indulging in one of their extravagant three course spreads.
If you’ve never been, the space is unassuming as its pitch-perfect lighting sets the tone for a modern space adorned with Warholian-inspired pop art pieces, antique-brown textured walls and understated furnishings. The staff catered to our group with superb attention and guaranteed each meal was presented more elegantly than the last.
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For our appetizer we had a lovely autumn leaves mix that worked terrifically together to combine the flavours of calais pears, pickled walnuts, celtic blue cheese and cider vinaigrette. Not all salads are created equal and this was a fresh take on something that could have easily been basic greens.
Having visited family in Vancouver earlier this year, I still have memories of how rich and palatable the West Coast seafood was and I was salivating at the thought of our first entrée. The B.C. coho salmon was clay baked (with the Four Seasons tree poignantly etched in) which was a rich and gamy flavour complimented by confit fennel, roasted figs, cipollini and watercress.
As a hardcore Filipino, roasted pigs are a culinary staple in my culture. Chef Luke Kennedy took our second entrée option to mouth-watering heights and presented a suckling pig stuffed with boudin blanc & boudin noir paired with decadently sweet honey crisp apples and pommes puree. The pork was tender and rich with its skin prepared to a tasty crunchiness–perfect for nibbling.
Now let’s talk about sweets which are paramount to me in life. I’m a firm believer in ending meals with something sugary. Café Boulud is renowned for its desserts and it did not disappoint with their two decadent offerings. One on side of my plate I had the baked alaska, which consists of an outer layer of fresh meringue flambéed with Kirsch (reminiscent of campfire marshmallow goodness) wrapping its centre filled with pistachio, vanilla ice cream and raspberry sorbet.
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Not to be outdone by the baked alaksa, the other half of my plate had the tarte tatin or as I dubbed it last night to myself, “heavenly slivers of caramelized apples” was a flaky puff pastry that was equal amounts sturdy as it was crisp. I’m all about embellishments, in my fashion and in my food, so extra points for the gold flakes detail.
The meals were imaginative and well prepared, which is to be expected from this world-class Yorkville fixture. Serving each other and feeding each other is quite an intimate way to dine, which is why you should go for a tasting today. Trust me, this will the most extravagant meal you’ll have with your party-posse all season.
Note: Reservations must be made a minimum 48 hours in advance with a completed booking form.