Oui Bistro & Wine Bar

Well, I’ve been here on and off since they first opened several years ago (2007?) and I’ve had a decent impression of the place. I wanted to like this place since I enjoy French cuisine but there’s always something amiss. They used to bring in Salt Spring Island mussels from B.C. — amazing when they could source it but when they couldn’t, there would be no mussels available (not even PEI). Once I ordered B.C. spot prawns (something we rarely get here) but unfortunately it tasted mushy. But I’ve also had great dishes here like rabbit and gnocchi, French onion soup and bison. And can I say how great their fresh baked baguettes are. The bread comes with whipped butter that just melts over the bread — yum! And I’ve also had great drinks here — French martini.
The interior is rather spacious — there’s a small lounge area on the left and the main dining room definitely evokes old French bistro charm. There’s also a patio along King Street. Appetizers are $ 8-​$ 13, mains are in the $ 24-​$ 36 range. Lunches are about $ 15 for salads and pastas and sandwiches with sides come to around $ 12.
They also have a bar menu that looks interesting but doesn’t keep with the French theme as they serve sliders, naan bread with dip, different poutine flavours, mussels, and small sandwiches and other small plates.
But I think this place is suffering a little bit from an identity crisis as the food here is not bistro style in the classic sense, nor is it classic French. Anyhow, I guess the concept isn’t working as this place will transform (in the not too distant future) into «the Peasant Cookery.» It’s suppose to be lower price points, more small plates (not sure if they will go down the Spanish tapas route) but I guess it’s more rustic food. I think they’re still working on the concept.
My recent lunch visit was decent as the prices are similar if not less than what one would pay at Earls or any chain restaurant but you get to dine in a more calm and sophisticated atmosphere. You can get the sandwiches on it’s own for about $ 7-​$ 8 and then add fries ($ 3) or salad ($ 3.50).
I tried the chicken sandwich with house salad ($ 11.45) — grilled chicken, avocado, tomato with piquillo pepper aioli on toasted whole grain bread. The chicken was moist and the aioli made the sandwich but it’s nothing extraordinary. Also tried the hamburger ($ 12.45) which is a mixture of short rib, chuck, brisket, and rib eye ground in house, served on a brioche bun with bibb lettuce, aioli and ketchup. The brioche bun is soft and rich (very buttery) which made this an extra filling burger. The patty was fairly thick at about 1−¼ inches; very juicy but it was missing some seasoning in there to make it a great burger. The salad was nice — mixed greens with a nice tangy vinaigrette served with walnuts and sunflower seeds.
Overall, decent place but don’t think this is a good substitute for Mirlycourtois (yes, I’m still mourning the loss of my fav restaurant in the city).

The Skinny: warm crispy bread, great pâté, and reasonable lunch entrees make this place a go-​to for lunch downtown (4), service solid (3.5), value — definitely better for lunch (4).
Working downtown, this place is located in the heart of the Exchange District. Sporting French Bistro styled cuisine, this place really delivers with some great lunch specials.
We love to get their foie-​gras pâté and truffles so we can slather it on warm crusty bread. Their gourmet burgers are wholesome and juicy with a perfectly toasted brioche bun for under $ 12. Quiche is also a great lunch special here as well.
Try this place, you won’t be disappointed.

We only stopped in briefly, during the slow, pre-​evening hours because I couldn’t wait another minute for a crème brulée and a glass of wine but we walked out completely satiated and dying to go back again as soon as possible. Ever since I found out how common crème brulée is in Winnipeg (for weeks I have been scouring menus in Portland, OR in an attempt to reduce my craving, to no avail) I have tried it basically everywhere I’ve gone. Oui, was certainly the best, the richest, the most perfect size, and at an appropriately french-​feeling bistro. I can’t comment on the atmosphere of Oui when busy, but the menu looked very promising. I will definitely go back again. After all, there are plenty of other desserts left to try.