Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The 'healthy [west coast/yoga] lunch' market is also a crowded space (ie tractor, field + social, etc.) for only a segment of the lunch market - versus cheaper fast food or ethnic foods.

One take I've seen on recent restaurant troubles is that there are simply too many of them. The overall market is oversaturated with places to eat out.

They have always had a high failure rate. Maybe we just need 20% less of them overall.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

one of the new spaces at SOLO has wraps up in the windows for a new restaurant, I think it says Claudio's, I'll have to pay attention next time. Looks like it will have a nice patio.

I think it's an Italian place relocating from Dawson

https://www.burnabynow.com/in-the-community/for-the-love-of-pizza-2934690

Only the CRU1 on the opposite corner is still available for lease. Presentation Centre is on a short term lease. And Japanese Saku is next door.

https://listingsprod.blob.core.windows.n...7f8/3db11ab6-8ed7-4f07-a694-603bcb34f654

[Prometheus]

You can see the new space in this recent SOLO update by Lexus:

Originally Posted by Lexus

2021, October 4

Tower 3 almost complete. Tower 4 - old building is now gone, and the excavation is underway.

Untitled by Lexus LX570, on Flickr

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Probably more of an example of someone who had too much money and no experience running a business. He works as a server (Monk McQueens, Milestones, and the Sequoia Company of Restaurants), son of Peter Ladner and magically opens three locations downtown.

Smak has actually been around quite a few years and is quite good.

But downtown is still the hardest hit from the pandemic. Until tourists and office workers fully return, closures shouldn’t be surprising, nor does it have much to do with the “downtown is garbage” mindset amongst some forum members.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

You can see the new space in this recent SOLO update by Lexus:

That looks like a great location with big doors to the patio too. (though not visible from Lougheed or Dawson)

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

One take I've seen on recent restaurant troubles is that there are simply too many of them. The overall market is oversaturated with places to eat out.

They have always had a high failure rate. Maybe we just need 20% less of them overall.

Yeah, I agree that Vancouverites eat out waay too much and that has caused a market reliant on that trend.
I wonder whether people have learned over the pandemic that they can cook for themselves and save some money?

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Yeah, I agree that Vancouverites eat out waay too much and that has caused a market reliant on that trend.
I wonder whether people have learned over the pandemic that they can cook for themselves and save some money?

That, plus the advent of those meal kit services, and more grocery delivery probably helps with the laziness factor.

[hollywoodnorth]

Chipotle opening first Canadian "Chipotlane" in Port Coquitlam

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/chipotle-port-coquitlam-chipotlane

[SpongeG]

it's an old KFC/Taco Bell location, should do well out there. I wonder where the other BC Locations will be, all in the Lower Mainland?

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

Chipotle opening first Canadian "Chipotlane" in Port Coquitlam

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/chipotle-port-coquitlam-chipotlane

So I wonder if the one downtown on Robson @ Homer will also be a Chipotlane (without the drive thru lane).

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

So I wonder if the one downtown on Robson @ Homer will also be a Chipotlane (without the drive thru lane).

They are still branded Chipotle.



https://604now.com/chipotlane-port-coquitlam-drive-thru-chipotle/

[SpongeG]

it still has dine-in but it has the first drive-thru in Canada. It's aimed to make it easier for delivery services to pick up the food at the drive-thru.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

it still has dine-in but it has the first drive-thru in Canada. It's aimed to make it easier for delivery services to pick up the food at the drive-thru.

They're also doing pickup windows (on foot) in some test markets

https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/chipotle-tests-pickup-windows-as-part-of-digital-push/569410/

[Klazu]

Their pick-up system is weird. I see a lot of people pick up an order from the Metrotown Chipotle during lunch hour and they rarely check for any kind of order confirmation. It would be so easy to just walk in and walk out with someone else's order.

[hollywoodnorth]

Popeyes diner officially opens second Richmond location

https://www.richmond-news.com/local-busi...y-opens-second-richmond-location-4515040



also I heard a rumour that they may have a Downtown space at the NE Corner of Howe and Pender. (the old National Bank space) When I drove by the other day it was being totally stripped down to the studs with "Leased" signed now up. Its a large enough space for a Popeyes for sure. Anyone know anything about that space?

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Their pick-up system is weird. I see a lot of people pick up an order from the Metrotown Chipotle during lunch hour and they rarely check for any kind of order confirmation. It would be so easy to just walk in and walk out with someone else's order.

you can do that easily at Starbucks too, some of the locations have Mobile Order stand and you can just grab whatever is there if you wanted. But a lot of them do keep that stand and is attended by staff who hand them out.

[officedweller]

Miantiao just announced it will be closing at the end of the month

It was here for a good time, not a long time. Miantiao, the newly opened eatery inside the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver, has announced it will be closing this month.

The concept from Kitchen Table Restaurants occupies the upscale third-floor restaurant space (previously MARKET by Jean-Georges) and opened to the public in June 2021.

After a six-month run, the Italian-Chinese restaurant will be offering its last service before closing on Monday, November 29.

It’s not all bad news, though, as Kitchen Table Restaurants has revealed two new Italian concepts are already planned to open in the space.

The first is slated to launch in late fall 2021. The culinary direction will be led by Chef Mark Perrier.
...

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/miantiao-closing-shangri-la-hotel-vancouver

Originally Posted by officedweller

Also, Italian-Chinese fusion cuisine has failed at least twice downtown before.
There was Oritalia at Le Soleil on Hornby St. and later, after that failed, another on the 2nd floor of what used to be the Keg Ceasar's space at Hornby and Dunsmuir (can't recall the name).
I think that diners of either Italian or Chinese cuisines are disappointed by fusion food not being 'authentic' to either. i.e. adding a bit of sesame oil isn't going to cut it.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by officedweller

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/miantiao-closing-shangri-la-hotel-vancouver

LOL, that's gotta be a record of some sort!

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by whatnext

LOL, that's gotta be a record of some sort!

Probably has more to do with scouting Mark Perrier and rebranding it for his concept (and to get away from the pan-Asian angle).

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Probably has more to do with scouting Mark Perrier and rebranding it for his concept (and to get away from the pan-Asian angle).

Surprised they didn't lobby hard to get David Chang and Momofuku in here as opposed to the aborted Vancouver House location. The perfect clientele for it, which is why they're in Toronto's Shangri-la.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Probably has more to do with scouting Mark Perrier and rebranding it for his concept (and to get away from the pan-Asian angle).

^ this