Vancouver Island's Amusé Bistro

Excellent Local Cuisine on the British Columbia Restaurant Scene

Aug 11, 2008

Amusé Bistro is an outstanding addition to the Island restaurant scene being called "the best restaurant in the Cowichan Valley" by late chef and author, James Barber.

Using quality, local ingredients, one’s palate and stomach are sure to be amused dining at this intimate, neighborhood cottage hidden along Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road.

Amusé Bistro is owned and operated by young entrepreneurs Chef Bradford Boisvert and Leah Bellerive. Leah manages the front of the house while Chef Boisvert puts his Culinary Institute of America (CIA) skills to work in the kitchen. Chef Boisvert, originally from Rhode Island, trained at the CIA and returned to complete his CIA Bachelor Degree in Restaurant Management. His resume includes The Aerie just outside of Victoria, The Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, and his own Sunflower Café in Ladysmith.

Leah and Bradford take the time to grow their own vegetables. Even into the fall, they’ll continue to harvest their own chard, baby greens, New Zealand spinach, purple carrots and Russian Blue Potatoes. Dining at Amusé Bistro, there will always be an array of home-grown vegetables as well as many others from the Cowichan Valley fresh from the farm to your plate. Farmers, cheesemakers and bakers pull up to the doors to the open kitchen delivering their local fare. Their meats are also locally grown with lamb, beef and pork from Quist Family Farm and chicken and duck from Hill’s Half Acre and Cowichan Bay Farm.

The duo have passion for their work and their love of food and wine which is clearly evident in the creative menu. Their French influenced cuisine is surprisingly reasonably priced with a daily changing three course prix fixe menu always under $40. Chef Boisvert’s combinations of fresh, local ingredients are both skilled and artistic. Hors d’ouevres such as assiette de charcuterie, fruits de mer, or an artisan cheese trio, $8-$14, are a natural beginning to entrees that show a level of focus attributed to both his training and enthusiasm. The hazelnut encrusted pan seared escalope of lamb with preserved lemon, rhubarb and mint jus rallies for first place on the plate with the incredible pomme de terre dauphinoise which are deliciously rich. The pork tenderloin with risotto croquette and organic arugula salad is also a top contender, both under $30.

Casual Elegance and Local Vancouver Island Wine

The simple, main floor dining room is very comfortable and inviting. The décor and ambiance is enhanced by elegantly set white clothed tables and framed, old black and white photographs of France taken by Leah’s father. The small bar tucked in the corner holds many Vancouver Island wines including Cherry Point Vineyard’s Blackberry port-style wine which is fabulous with Amusé’s chocolate tryst. The perfect ending to the perfect dinner.

The copyright of the article Vancouver Island's Amusé Bistro in British Columbia Travel is owned by Kathryn McAree. Permission to republish Vancouver Island's Amusé Bistro in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.