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Diner Gastown

Behind The Scenes At “L’Abattoir” From Its Construction Dust To Opening Day

Portrait

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It was four years ago today that Lee Cooper, Paul Grunberg, and Nin Rai opened their critically acclaimed Gastown eatery L’Abattoir at 217 Carrall Street (the original Irish Heather location). Take a look below for behind the scenes images taken during construction, training, and on opening day…

  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | The first day of demolition
  • Paul Grunberg and Lee Cooper in the original Irish Heather space (before it was L'Abattoir)
  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | The mezzanine
  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | The mezzanine
  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | Looking down at the entrance from the mezzanine
  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | The bar area
  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | Paul inspects the ancient and sordid works of vandals
  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | Looking upstairs from the entrance
  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | The 22 seat solarium
  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | From the back hall looking toward the bar area
  • Demo day at L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | owners Lee Cooper, Paul Grunberg, and Nin Rai
  • L'Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown | From the solarium looking back toward the entrance
  • Exterior
  • Lee and Paul, pre-shift
  • L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir
  • David at L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir | Measuring 5 ounce pours...
  • L'Abattoir | Jake schools on the wine list
  • L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir
  • Nadia, Kristopher and John during staff meal at L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir
  • The staff at the bar, tasting and debating before opening night
  • L'Abattoir
  • Staff discussing the food...
  • L'Abattoir | Trying to decide on table settings
  • L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir
  • Staff discussing the food...
  • L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir | Paul and ice...nearly there
  • A fizzy berry dessert at L'Abattoir
  • L'Abattoir
  • David and Shaun tend the first guest of the night...
  • A light moment in the rush...
  • Romano readies to run...
  • Steamed ling cod with celeriac croquettes
  • L'Abattoir
  • Chef Lee Cooper of L'Abattoir plating a halibut dish
  • On the pass...
  • A chanterelle mountain...
  • Halibut with garlic sabayon
  • On the pass during the first service at Gastown's L'Abattoir
  • Opening night at L'Abattoir
  • Dungeness crab custard in chickpea toast
  • The mushroom turnovers with pecorino fondue spiked with black truffle
  • Flank steak with sweetbreads and potato fondants
  • Confit of albacore tuna | Smoked pork fat, egg, crispy bits
  • Mmm, Hillary's chocolate yogurt...
  • Post-shift debrief.

ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS

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