Awards
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Where Magazine
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
BEST UPSCALE FRENCH RESTAURANT
Vancouver Magazine
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
FOUR DIAMOND AWARD (FIVE YEARS RUNNING)
CAA
1999–2004, 2009–2021
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Georgia Straight
2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Zagat
2004, 2013, 2014
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT (FIVE YEARS RUNNING)
Vancouver Magazine Readers Choice Awards
1990, 1991, 1994, 1998, 1999–2004, 2013, 2014, 2015,
Reviews
Gourmet Magazine, Caroline Bates
The menu of Michel Jacob, an Alsatian, confidently blends tradition and innovation. A purée of red pepper soup with scallops; an Alsatian onion tart; sweet spot prawns with swirls or mango sauce; a mustard-sauced gigot of lamb; white beans and a potato gratin; and chocolate-orange mousse to finish. A genuine place with very satisfying food at a fair price. If only there were a French restaurant like this back home in Los Angeles or San Francisco!
Vancouver Magazine, Brad Ovenell
If there’s a formula for producing happy customers, Le Crocodile has the patent. Simply great food and unwavering consistency are chef/owner Michel Jacob’s hallmark. All the essentials of French cooking are here, but some sauces, through some sleight-of-hand, manage to be both rich and light. The kitchen excels at seafood, sole, plaice, mussels–and does very well with organ meats such as sweetbreads, just-done liver with a rich herb butter, and kidney with Dijon and demi glace. Portions are generous, prices fair.
The Vancouver Sun, Mia Stainsby
FINALIST BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT 2004, 2014
Vancouver Magazine Critics Choice
Winner 1990, 1991, 1994 and 1998
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vancouver Magazine
FINALIST BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Where Magazine Critics Choice
2004, 2014
Le Crocodile doesn’t have the attitude that if you have to ask about the price, then, mes cheries, you can’t afford it. The crabcakes, for instance, are pure and simple Le Crocodile: crab, panfried, topped with deep fried julienned leeks, green mayo, garlic and Pernod. Not to be missed, the restaurant has an incredible selection of French wines. For the main course, I had roasted Barbarie duck breast slices, fanned out moistly and invitingly in a deep and dark citrus sauce. They were teamed with a potato galette, baby carrots and baby green beans. For dessert, I had an iced caramel soufflé with a thatched roof of spun sugar, which drew looks from nearby diners. They said goodbye to us with a friendly little chocolate and a relatively tame bill.
BEST FRENCH
Where Magazine
2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015,
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT (FIVE YEARS RUNNING)
Georgia Strait Golden Plate Awards
1999–2004
Where Vancouver
Michel Jacob’s restaurant, haunt of jet setters and visiting celebs regularly pulls top honours in local critics’ and readers’ polls. The menu is best described as “up-scale bistro,” it’s solidly flavoured dishes served with flare but little fanfare.
TOP 100 RESTAURANTS
En Route Dining Guide
1998
AMERICA’S TOP TABLES WINNER
Gourmet Magazine
1998
Vancouver Lifestyles
Owner Michel Jacob continues to create Vancouver’s best Alsatian onion pie as well as many other Alsace-inspired dishes in this elegant restaurant. Enjoy the city patio on a warm summer night. Dress up a little and revel in impeccable service and exquisite cuisine.
WINNER OF THE ARTS AWARD
City of Vancouver
INDUCTED INTO RESTAURANT HALL OF FAME
KNIGHTED BY THE FRENCH GOVERNOR
For representing France abroad
Zagat Survey
Chef Michel Jacob deserves knighthood for the impeccable styling of his superior cuisine at this top-notch Classic French restaurant, where the rich and indulgent food is always a great experience; such perfection includes wine to match and superb service and if some lack a sense of humility that’s dangerous close to pretentious, the majority just swoons “magnifique!”
