Acclaimed chef Daniel Vezina and his wife, Suzanne Gagnon, decided to open an upscale spot to showcase Vezina’s creative French fare in 1991. They chose a sunny, intimate space in Québec City’s Old Port district and chose a name for the restaurant that would always be dear to their hearts; they named it after their children, Laurie and Raphael. The haute, market-driven menu reflects regional products as well as Vezina’s culinary travels, from Asia, to Italy and France, and back to his native North America. Signatures include Jerusalem artichoke blinis with sturgeon egg cream and house-smoked sturgeon and duck foie gras with chicken broth and dried cranberries. The restaurant remains a destination not only for the exceptional cuisine but also for its impressive wine cellar and its warm and hospitable service.

Laurie Raphael Information:

• French menu. Lunch, dinner. Closed Sunday and Monday; also from January 1 to 15. Bar. Children's menu. Casual attire. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating. Credit cards accepted.