Hello dear
Welcome to Is That French
Nestled in Vancouver's vibrant Blood Alley Square, **Is That French** is a charming wine bar celebrated for its exquisite blend of flavors and impeccable service. The menu offers a delightful array of dishes, showcasing fresh ingredients like halibut crudo and smoked albacore tuna, alongside creative shared plates such as spot prawn and scallop rolls. Customers rave about the intimate atmosphere and attentive staff, particularly singling out their exceptional wine recommendations. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared, presenting a unique culinary experience that invites guests to savor each bite. Whether indulging in a Basque cheesecake or sharing Northern Divine caviar, dining here is truly memorable.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
HALIBUT CRUDO
SMOKED ALBACORE TUNA
NORTHERN DIVINE CAVIAR SERVICE!
OLIVE A LA PROVENCALE
About
Is That French
Welcome to Is That French, a delightful culinary gem nestled in the heart of Vancouver at 45 Blood Alley Square. Here, the charm of a cozy wine bar meets the sophistication of finely crafted dishes, promising an experience that delights the senses. This unique establishment elevates modern dining with its thoughtfully curated menu, where each dish carries the essence of its ingredients from the lush landscapes of British Columbia.
At Is That French, the raw bar offerings are a revelation. Indulge in the Halibut Crudo adorned with vibrant capers, fresh jalapeno, and the luxurious touch of pink peppercorn—an invigorating bite at A$17.00. For those seeking a deeper dive into the ocean's treasures, the Smoked Albacore Tuna accompanied by Castelvetrano olives and a zesty citrus oil is a must-try at A$18.00. And for the true connoisseurs, the Northern Divine Caviar service, featuring rich crème fraîche and elegant potato chips at A$90, is an experience to savor.
The shared plates further exemplify the restaurant's commitment to quality. The Spot Prawn & Scallop Roll, nestled in a brioche bun with spot prawn aioli and delicate salmon caviar, is available for A$17.00 and encapsulates the spirit of coastal dining. Guests rave about the Olive à la Provençale, a simple yet profoundly flavorful appetizer at just A$7.00, proving that sometimes the simplest dishes make the loudest statements.
And no visit would be complete without indulging in their exquisite dessert—the Basque Cheesecake with yuzu citrus curd at A$11.00 that pairs impeccably with a glass of fine wine. This dish effortlessly wraps up your dining experience on a sweet and tangy note.
Customer reviews reflect a consistent theme of excellence. Patrons delight in the attentive and knowledgeable service, the surprising flavors, and the artistry behind each dish. One guest shared, "It might be one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to!" echoing the sentiments of many who find themselves returning for another taste of culinary magic at Is That French.
So whether you're a wine enthusiast looking for the perfect pairing or simply in search of a meal that delights and inspires, Is That French offers a welcoming atmosphere and a menu that captivates. Visit them at +1 604-499-0680, and prepare yourself for a dining experience that is not only French-inspired but uniquely Vancouverian.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Nice wine bar! Good selection of the wine and tasty foods but portions are smaller than other restaurants. If you like to enjoy a bottle of wine and good foods, this is the one. Enjoyed it a lot. I will definitely go back to try other dishes. ”
“ My friend and I had the BEST experience at Is that French. The food was incredible, the olives are a must try (we ended up getting three orders for two people), and the overall vibe of the place was perfect. Our server Taylor was also exceptional. She was attentive, knowledgeable, fun, and all around some of the best service I’ve ever received. I have been to a number of Michelin star restaurants and Is that French might be one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to! Can’t recommend this place enough. Thank you Taylor and the rest of the staff for making it such an unforgettable experience! ”
“ Had a great experience at Is That French?—a cozy wine bar and restaurant with a creative menu. I especially loved the fresh oysters and the small, well-curated portions that let you try a bit of everything. The salad was perfectly seasoned, and the pork belly was tender with a tasty sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. The only dish that didn't quite hit the mark for me was the gnocchi—it was a bit too soft and lacked texture. Overall though, I really enjoyed the meal and would love to come back to try more dishes! ”
“ Came in on a busy Friday night but the service was impeccable! Our server was very helpful with recommendations and accommodating. We don’t usually enjoy raw food but the scallops ended up being our favourite. All the food tasted like they were prepared intentionally with care. Special thanks to our red haired server for being so kind :)) ”
“ I predict this restaurant will soon be rated one of the best in Canada. Everything from the service, to the quality of the food, the taste and the wine pairing was SUBLIME!!!! My favourite dishes were the torched steelhead trout and the cured scallop with aguachile. Compliments to the chef! I want to give a special shout-out to our server who’s name I forgot (I think it may have been Kovic) He made the night extra special by offering his wine advise and some great conversation. ”
“ We recently celebrated our anniversary dinner here. Coming in was quite an experience as it’s hidden in an alleyway - there was no sign, just a question mark on the glass which sort of leads you to prompt - is that French? Clever marketing there with that little “aha” moment you get as a guest. Soon as you step in the vibe is completely different; warm and cozy with all the goodness being whipped up by the chef if in the back of house. We were delighted to learn that for the wine menu, offerings by the glass can also be purchased by the bottle - just multiply the cost per glass by 5 (roughly). So we indulged in one of our favourites - Synchromesh Riesling. For food, we had - Chilled Nova Scotia Lobster tail - Oeuf Mayonaise Ikura - Brant Lake Wagyu, Uni toast ikura - Lamb tartare - Cured Scallop aguachile -Torched Steelhead Trout - Basque Cheesecake (The fluffiest cheesecake you’ll ever have..) Service was excellent with very attentive and friendly hosts. The food was definitely prepped with a lot of love and the portions were just right. The ambience was lively but not too loud, great for unwinding after a long week. Definitely earned its five stars. ”
“ Our first time in vancouver and came here for dinner. Ordered 5 dishes to share between the 2 of us and then a dessert to share. Great wine selection too. Stars of the show were the duck tartare, cured scallops and wagyu toast. Also enjoyed the maple whiskey digestif! ”
“ This tucked-away gem remains one of my favourite spots in the city for practically any occasion: a delightful solo dinner, a romantic candlelit date night, a quick oysters-and-scallops stop, a glass of wine (or four) to round out the evening, really anything I could think of. Wine list is expansive in quantity and variety. Lots of fun, sexy, different things, and wines available by the glass change often. I believe they offer wine flights which are very fun and also nice lol. The food menu of small sharing-style plates is updated regularly as well. There are always things I want to eat! Oyster condiments are delicious. The uni toast (she is loaded) and cured scallops are always excellent. Currently, the duck tartare and torched steelhead are fantastic too. Yummy sauces abound. Kovic and the entire team are eternally welcoming, knowledgeable, and pleasant. Keep doing what you’re doing! Love you *all* xx ”