Brunch is one of my favourite meals: where else can you get the goodness of breakfast with the satisfaction of lunch? and Vancouverites are well known for liking their brunch. You might say we have elevated this meal and made it a bit of an art form.

Enter L’Abattoir. 

Located in Gastown, in the historic meat market district, the restaurant offers brunch 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It can get pretty busy, so make sure to make reservations.

The best way to start your L’Abattoir experience is to order one of their freshly made baked goods, like their Current Scone, served with jam and clotted cream ($7). Mine was still warm and was deliciously crumbly.

Of course, freshly pressed coffee was in order.

One of the must-try items on L’Abattoir menu is their Poached Eggs and Smoked Pork Belly ($17). This was a phenomenal dish. Created with homemade English muffins and cheddar sabayon instead of a traditional hollandaise sauce, the gamble pays off.  The pork belly was perfectly crispy – such a good combination of flavours. I highly recommend this dish.

If seafood is what you’re craving, the Shrimp Frittata is what you want ($17). It comes with roasted potatoes, hollandaise sauce, smoked peppers and it’s topped with fresh arugula.

Another thing L’Abattoir is well known for is their cocktail menu.

My cocktail recommendation is the Avocado Gimlet ($15).  This drink is made with fresh avocado, Apfelkorn schnapps, rosemary and olive infused gin and fresh lime juice. I found it to be refreshing and different. definitely worth a try.

After our brunch, we toured L’Abattoir’s new private dining space, which consists of a total of 1,200 square feet, and may be divided into two separate rooms with a noise-reducing barrier. Guest have the choice to rent the entire space or just one room, depending on the size and style of their event. Either room comfortably accommodates up to 24-seated guests, while the combined space accommodates up to 50-seated guests or a standing reception of up to 70 guests. The rooms get booked quite quickly and they’re almost sold out for the busy Christmas party season – so book early to avoid disappointment.

Follow L’Abattoir on Twitter @LABATTOIR_VAN

Disclosure: I was a guest of L’Abattoir and my meal was complimentary. My opinions are a true representation of my experience and L’Abattoir did not see this article before post.