Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread

[logan5]

I've heard from a couple of people now that the Rumpus Room at 1th and Main (hipster HQ) is closing down to make way for a residential development. Weird that I haven't heard anything here. Maybe just erroneous information.

[dreambrother808]

That would be sad. The Rumpus Room is fun.

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by phesto

Sign on The KEG at Granville and Dunsmuir (formerly the Shore Club) says opening April 22nd.

The corner blade sign now reads

T
H
E

K
E
G

(Steakhouse + Bar sideways)....

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by logan5

I've heard from a couple of people now that the Rumpus Room at 1th and Main (hipster HQ) is closing down to make way for a residential development. Weird that I haven't heard anything here. Maybe just erroneous information.

non-hipsters still call it 1st and Main.


ohhh... i sea the spelcheker dropped a number from 11th

[Sir Conga]

Scout has pictures from the reno for the New Miku location

Scout is also reporting that VPD has issued a warning to the protesters outside Pidgin. Threatening charges of Criminal Mischef.

[officedweller]

I always thought the Aqua Riva space (at Granville Square (not Canada Place as the article title suggests)) was one of the nicer restaurant spaces in town. Now it's all gone.

[mezzanine]

Re: rumpus room, it displaced my non-hipster filipino-immigrant barber shop.

The actual building is unusual (very tiny mini-mall with surface parking, with a substantial patina of wear 'n tear), somewhat sad to see it go.

WRT to the aqua riva space, IMO it's more difficult space than other sites - the views are nice, but it's more isolated and has a very limited street presence.

------

Went to this place the other day, if you like raw oysters this place is a unique spot that knows their stuff and provides excellent value.

http://oysterexpress.ca/

[Sir Conga]

Originally Posted by officedweller

I always thought the Aqua Riva space (at Granville Square (not Canada Place as the article title suggests)) was one of the nicer restaurant spaces in town. Now it's all gone.

I used to work at Aquariva, and I agree that the space definitely had a lot going for it. I think what Miku does to the space will work very well though. It will be quite different though. The space certainly won't be so open, but I think it will be cool. The patio will be amazing.

Originally Posted by mezzanine

WRT to the aqua riva space, IMO it's more difficult space than other sites - the views are nice, but it's more isolated and has a very limited street presence.

------

Went to this place the other day, if you like raw oysters this place is a unique spot that knows their stuff and provides excellent value.

http://oysterexpress.ca/

The current Miku location, in my opinion, had the same challenges with street presence. These same challenges certainly may have been a factor in the demise of Aquariva, along with places like Hapa Umi and Metro. However, I think Miku will be a great success at the new location for many reasons.

Miku is already an established brand in the neighbourhood, and had out-grown the current space for some time. The neighbourhood has also changed immensely in recent years, with the convention centre expansion being especially beneficial to local eateries. There is also the fact that the owner is just an all-around awesome person. Seigo, the owner, is easily the most passionate person I've ever worked for (I work with the company).

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Oyster Express is amazing. I live a few blocks away so it's a real treat to have them around. Great selection, super consistent, and they've been licensed for a couple of months now too. GO!

[spm2013]

....

[officedweller]

I remember the old Miku space before Fairmont and Shaw Tower were built - it was a nice hidden spot overlooking the harbour. I'd usually take out of town friends there for lunch on the patio. I think it was called Patina. Can't remember what was there before that.

A nice patio on summer day is actually Belaggio at the new Convention Centre.
You're looking right at the cruise ships and Canada Place. Prices aren't crazy, either.

[Sir Conga]

Originally Posted by officedweller

I remember the old Miku space before Fairmont and Shaw Tower were built - it was a nice hidden spot overlooking the harbour. I'd usually take out of town friends there for lunch on the patio. I think it was called Patina. Can't remember what was there before that.

A nice patio on summer day is actually Belaggio at the new Convention Centre.
You're looking right at the cruise ships and Canada Place. Prices aren't crazy, either.

The Guinness Tower space was originally a bank. Before it was Miku, it was The Spotted Prawn. Patina must have been before my time.

This picture always blows me away. From around twenty years ago.

This picture is from Flickr user snub_you or city archives.. I couldn't figure it out.

[officedweller]

Thanks.

Patina may have been just before Spotted Prawn. That was the name I couldn't remember.

E-mail sent to me by a freind:

Vij’s Makes Major Announcement About New Establishment!

WORK TO BEGIN ON NEW CAMBIE STREET RESTAURANT

VANCOUVER (April 18th, 2013) – Award-winning Vancouver-based chef Vikram Vij and his wife Meeru Dhalwala are pleased to announce that construction will begin on their new restaurant location at Cambie and 15th in Vancouver, on June 1st 2013. The restaurant will open within 12 months of work starting.

“I’m delighted to be able to make this announcement; it’s been a long time coming!” says Vij. “The people living near to our new restaurant have been so supportive and patient as we waited for planning processes to be completed. It will be a really big part of this community.”

While plans are still being finalised, the establishment itself will become an iconic landmark and a destination restaurant. Bricault Designs (who designed the interior of Vij’s Rangoli and the Vij’s At Home frozen food bags) will make the bar and dining area modern and welcoming.

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE – COMPLETE WITH ANSWERS!

What will happen to the current Vij’s restaurant on West 11th and Granville?
Right now, Vij’s will continue to operate normally. When the new restaurant on Cambie opens, the current Vij’s location will close, but it will stay in the Vij’s family and will become a new entity at a later date. And no, we don’t know exactly what that will be right now!

Will the new restaurant be bigger than the current location?
Yes – Vij’s near Granville currently seats 65 people at a time. The new restaurant will seat 80+ and at the new location, you will walk straight into the bar area, rather than walking through the restaurant to the bar and waiting area.

With more tables, will you have a bigger kitchen and more staff?
Our new kitchen will be more than double the size of our current kitchen and will have lots more storage and prep space. At this point though we are not hiring more people and we’re not accepting resumes – we’re still a long way from opening. When we get to that stage, we will let everyone know.

Why has it taken so long to get to this point with the new restaurant?
Simply put, the planning processes have taken a lot longer than anticipated. We are so grateful to the community around the new location for their patience as our building remained undeveloped for so long. We promise that we are going to give you a beautiful addition to your neighbourhood and we hope you will all visit us often!

– 30 –

http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/160208/690dc24a90/ARCHIVE

[mezzanine]

Is rangoli moving with them?

Remember the talk of when the canada line was going to destroy cambie village?

[LeftCoaster]

I hope they don't lose any of the magic of Vij's.

Love that place.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by mezzanine

Is rangoli moving with them?

Remember the talk of when the canada line was going to destroy cambie village?

I guess you didn't read the press release?

[Sir Conga]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

I guess you didn't read the press release?

Where does it say anything about the future of Rangoli?

[whatnext]

Habit on Main has closed. It's becoming Charlie's Little Italian, still run by Cascade Group.

[Pinion]

I went to the Cactus Club at the convention centre last night and waited 40 minutes before being told the gas had stopped working and they couldn't serve any more food. You could smell it in the restaurant.

On the bright side I get some sort of VIP treatment next time I go, and got a nice upper level table at the Burrard location.

[PeterAKer]

Five Guys Burgers Opens Today on Robson Street!

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Dave2

The corner blade sign now reads

T
H
E

K
E
G

(Steakhouse + Bar sideways)....

I saw it the other night - it looks good - and it looks like a completely new sign, rather than changing the old one (It's squared off at the top and bottom, unlike the Shore Club sign which was rounded). It has red lines criss-crossing in the background)