Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread

[svlt]

Originally Posted by Vin

Linh Cafe French-Vietnamese bistro is opened at Vancouver House.

http://www.linhcafe.com/

Glad to read that their Kits location will remain, just closed for renovations.
But man have they gotten insanely expensive. Prices are up quite a bit with their move to Vancouver House, and I'd know since I used to go there often...

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by svlt

Glad to read that their Kits location will remain, just closed for renovations.
But man have they gotten insanely expensive. Prices are up quite a bit with their move to Vancouver House, and I'd know since I used to go there often...

Prices everywhere have gone up. Not just the cost of food inputs but finding labour is an issue. Official inflation numbers are vastly undercounting it.

[urbanight93]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Prices everywhere have gone up. Not just the cost of food inputs but finding labour is an issue. Official inflation numbers are vastly undercounting it.

100% official numbers are severely underestimating inflation. Even anecdotally, I know people in the service industry whose restaurants are understaffed 30-40%... Interesting times ahead!

[SpongeG]

I noticed the other day that the old Starbucks on Main and 14th is a new coffee shop, it was called Forecast Coffee.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I noticed the other day that the old Starbucks on Main and 14th is a new coffee shop, it was called Forecast Coffee.

It has been there for a few weeks at least, apparently they have a location in Whistler. Reviews seem bad though. We'll see if they last.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I noticed the other day that the old Starbucks on Main and 14th is a new coffee shop, it was called Forecast Coffee.

Yeah, I was hoping for something different to take over that spot.

I bought a $10 sandwich from there, and I came away feeling ripped off. It was small and not very tasty. Breka is way better.

[SpongeG]

a breka would be great there

[djh]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

a breka would be great there

Funnily enough I can respond to the last two comments, since I'm sitting in that new Forecast Cafe right now. It seems fine. Very reminiscent of the Starbucks Reserve that it used to be before Covid (I think it was one of the first in BC actually). Coffee is a little bitter/burned, but not unpleasant. Good range of pastries and savouries, even alcohol, although I didn't try any. A great evening option if it works out. The server's bar area is huge - a throwback to when it used to be a Starbucks Reserve, if I remember, as they did demos there.

And that also reminds me, in another thread about Cambie/Broadway Starbucks, somebody was saying that new prospective Starbucks couldn't possibly be a Starbucks Reserve because it was 1400 sq. ft. or something. This spot I'm in right now is definitely either the same size or smaller than the new CRU at Cambie/Broadway, so yes, that space *absolutely* could become a Starbucks Reserve (if the only requirement is size).

WRT Breka, there's a new one that opened up just a little bit further up Main Street, on about 25th? It's not got as much of the usual Breka food options as you'll find in the others, but that might just be because it's new. We'll see what options are available with time.

[NewfBC]

Mary Brown's opening soon at Tsawwassen Commons.

I hear the Main Street Vancouver location is set to open any day now.

Ron.

[hollywoodnorth]

from the Bentwood Thread

https://ca.linkedin.com/jobs/view/tap-ba...ant-group-at-tap-barrel-group-2746157187

Tap & Barrel Group is growing!

Our current locations are:

Tap & Barrel Olympic Village

Tap & Barrel Convention Centre

Tap & Barrel Shipyards

BREWHALL

TAPshack Coal Harbour



Future locations will be:

Tap & Barrel Bridges (Granville Island) – Spring 2022

Tap & Barrel South Surrey – Summer 2022

Tap & Barrel Brentwood – Winter 2023




anyone know where the South Surrey location might be?

[SpongeG]

there are some spaces along the waterfront marine drive, possibly there?

[Klazu]

Another example of Downtown restaurant business in decline. High rents, lack of foot traffic, safety issues, ...

https://www.burnabynow.com/local-busines...three-of-his-vancouver-locations-4548662

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Another example of Downtown restaurant business in decline. High rents, lack of foot traffic, safety issues, ...

https://www.burnabynow.com/local-busines...three-of-his-vancouver-locations-4548662

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.

[Klazu]

It's just all in lieu of many similar news in the past several months. At some point it's not anecdotal anymore and there are big problems with doing business in Downtown.

[officedweller]

Starbucks sign is up on new building at Cambie & Broadway (SW corner)

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Another example of Downtown restaurant business in decline. High rents, lack of foot traffic, safety issues, ...

https://www.burnabynow.com/local-busines...three-of-his-vancouver-locations-4548662

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.

[hollywoodnorth]

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.

you could even lump Freshii in there also. Very crowded field and with the Rents what they are and the still slow traffic downtown and lack of Tourists. its bound to happen.

I think they would have done better in a market like Brentwood. Lougheed or New West instead of the Crowded Downtown market. 3 stores in quick succession downtown seems crazy.

For example if Popeyes opening just 1 location downtown it would be doing huge numbers ... but they are taking their time. Downtown could eventually Support 3 or 4 Popeyes. but they wont just roll in and open 4 within a year. Thats not savvy.

[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.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Klazu

It's just all in lieu of many similar news in the past several months. At some point it's not anecdotal anymore and there are big problems with doing business in Downtown.

What are vacancy rates? That will tell you a lot.

It's hard to run a restaurant. Combined with a shortage of labour and/or business willing to pay higher wages, not all will survive.

Recessions are a healthy and necessary part of capitalism, cleaning out the low performers.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Starbucks sign is up on new building at Cambie & Broadway (SW corner)

Nice catch, wasn't there yesterday but workers have been in that corner for a few weeks.

TD beside it is already open.