About Us

Au Petit Chavignol is a cheese lover’s paradise.  Located in a former naval reserve in the heart of Vancouver’s historic and charming Strathcona neighbourhood, the restaurant shares space with the newest and largest outpost of Vancouver’s best cheese shop les amis du FROMAGE. The petit 36 seat air conditioned cheese and wine bar is casual, fun and comfortable.

Since opening to rave reviews in 2009, we have continued to offer a carefully chosen selection of imported and local artisan cheese and charcuterie along with fondue, raclette and other seasonal  and familiar specialties, utilizing local ingredients like the SOLEfood Farm (supporting United We Can) wherever possible. Our philosophy is to create simple food, and to prepare it well. Whether it be lunch, dinner, or in-between, the long hand poured concrete bar is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine, a cold beer, and a bite to eat.

A little about the SOLEfood Farm

SOLE food is a non-profit, environmentally based social enterprise that provides urban agriculture education and employment opportunities for Vancouver's inner-city residents. Working alongside farmer and author, Michael Abelman, community residents are trained and employed to construct, plant, maintain, and harvest the farm. The organically grown food is then sold to neighbourhood restaurants and community organizations with similar aims of improving neighbourhood food security. Led by the farmers themselves, educational opportunities during the growing season will be available to the public interested in learning about urban agriculture. Employees see the farm as a place for self-growth and healthy community development, while beautifying the neighbourhood. It is hoped that the future of SOLEfood will grow to include a network of farms that help revitalize the neighbourhood, provide meaningful employment, and build relationships centered on the environment.

We are proud to offer an extensive, ever changing award winning wine list. Our passion is riesling, and our wine list reflects that.

Business Hours

Lunch 11am until 4pm

Dinner 4pm until late

Brunch Sat/Sun from 10am - 3pm

FAQ

Do you have vegetarian options? Yes.  Salads, fondue, raclette, and more...and of course cheese. Gluten free crackers are also available on request.

Do you have a dress code? Absolutely none.

Is Au Petit Chavignol wheel chair accessible? Yes. Much of our seating is high, but we do have some lower seating. A reservation is reccomended.

Who owns Au Petit Chavignol? Alice Spurrell, Allison Spurrell & Joe Chaput

Do you have air conditioningl? Yes

Do Au Petit Chavignol and les amis du FROMAGE accept the same gift cards? No

Who designed the interior? John Shields of Sculpinfish Design.

When did you open? We opened March 12, 2009

Can you tell us a bit more history about your building? Sure. Read about it here

Are you guys serious about cheese? Alice Spurrell, Allison Spurrell and Joe Chaput are members of France's prestigious Guilde des Fromagers Confrerie de Saint-Uguzon.  Alice and Allison are also members of the Confrérie des Chevaliers des Fromages de France, and the American Cheese Society (ACS).  Allison has been a judge for the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix and the ACS and she has recently received a certificate in Cheese Making Technology from the Department of Food Science at the University of Guelph.