Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread

[jollyburger]

Finally got an anchor tenant for the Quay restaurant space. They already have some fencing up and they seemed to be doing a site tour a few days ago. (Seems like they announced this back in 2017 as well)



https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/north-vancouvers-lonsdale-quay-to-get-major-overhaul-4745669

For the last 35 years, its rotating Q has been an icon of the North Shore. Now, North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay Market is set for a major overhaul.

Quay North Urban Development, the company that has owns the Quay, is starting renovations, inside and out.

“It’s a pretty cohesive upgrade to the property as a whole. We're looking at it as the revitalization of a community icon,” said Quay North president Taylor Mathiesen. “We know how important that property is to the community and we've got a lot of changes that I think people will be really excited about.”

Outside, the exterior cladding will be removed and replaced with something of a higher design standard (although Mathiesen said it will reflect the industrial and waterfront character of the market).

Inside, the food court will be totally redone and expanded so it blends more with the market’s retail shops. The plans also include a licensed bar and live entertainment space.

The largest individual component is a new two-floor, 10,000-square-foot restaurant space on the waterfront side of the building. Mathiesen can’t publicly say who the new anchor tenant will be yet, but that will be announced in the new year.

The market will be staying open later at night, and management is bringing in arts and culture programming.

“So it won’t just be the gathering place for the community during the day, but it can be that evening destination as well, with a collection of really great and different food offerings and entertainment,” he said.

The rotating Q sign, of course, will be staying.

Plans for the Quay’s upgrades have been in the works years, Mathiesen said.

The Quay celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2021. When it first opened, it was surrounded by gravel parking lots. Much has changed in Lower Lonsdale since then, Mathiesen noted, but the Quay’s evolution has been much slower.

“Lower Lonsdale has been growing immensely – the Brewery District, the festivals and concerts that are happening here are next-level, the Shipyards, the Polygon, MONOVA – we’re really a destination of arts and culture and events and food and beverage in a way that we hadn't been before,” he said. “We've been taking some time to plan this revitalization very carefully because we want to get it just right and really meet that standard and that experience that’s being created around us.”

While most of the work will be done by the summer of 2022, the new anchor tenant restaurant will not be open until the summer of 2023.

Construction will be phased so the Quay will remain open, although individual areas will necessarily be closed while work there is done.

Mathiesen said all of the current tenants have been kept abreast of the plans for years, but he said, not all of them will be signing new leases.

“We've always wanted all of the tenants of the market to be a part of this reinvention and to grow with the market, but the reality is, some of them just won't be able to do it for various reasons,” he said.

Entrepreneurs looking to start up shop in the updated Quay can contact management.

None of the changes in the multi-million-dollar project will have to go through City of North Vancouver council, but Mathiesen said they did voluntarily submit their plans to the city’s advisory design panel, which gave very positive feedback.

“Every time we talk about changes to Lonsdale Quay Market, everyone is just so excited. I think it's definitely ripe for an evolution,” he said.

Mathiesen acknowledged North Vancouver residents may feel a lot of ownership in the Quay, it being a hub for the community and often the first place people go after getting off the SeaBus. But, he promised, the changes will be greeted as an improvement when they come.

“We are going to stay true to the market experience that the community knows and loves,” he said. “All of your favourite elements of the market will still be there, they will just be improved upon.”

While they're at it they should build a platform over the Seaspan docks near the waterfront to connect the Quay and the Shipyards.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Finally got an anchor tenant for the Quay restaurant space.....

Thanks So Much for posting this it's a great space that hasn't always been run particularly well.

FWIW-If you have folks visiting from out of town a 'seabus cruise' combined with lunch at the Quay is a lovely way to see a part of the city many don't bother with or even know at all.

[SpongeG]

Authentic Mexican Fare Blossoms in Vancouver

Western Canada just might be the next Los Angeles when it comes to Latin flavors—and tongue-in-cheek museums.

By Allison Williams November 9, 2021

MARTÍN VARGAS has a vision for Vancouver that looks a lot like Los Angeles. The chef thinks that Western Canada resembles Southern California 20 years ago, that it sits on the precipice of becoming “this small Latin mecca for food.” And his new Granville Island restaurant and market, Alimentaria Mexicana, will help cement that reputation.

Raised in Tijuana, Vargas trained in Mexico City before coming to Canada; he then partnered with Vancouver restaurateur Ernesto Gomez, who had already started the city’s Chancho Tortilleria. When Vargas first envisioned Alimentaria two years ago, he wasn’t sure if diners, familiar only with Tex-Mex-style dishes—“westernized,” he calls them—would go for the distinct flavors that truly represent his home cuisine. But when the restaurant opened in the palatial center of walkable, touristy Granville Island, it quickly began serving as many as 600 diners a day.

“We’re as close to our roots as we can be,” says Vargas. Consider the varieties of salsa on the menu, including sikil paak made from pumpkin seeds; the Mayan-born blend has a delayed kick. In other words, this ain’t Chipotle.

...

https://www.seattlemet.com/travel-and-ou...n-restaurants-vancouver-british-columbia

[SpongeG]

they have done a few other articles on the city

Vancouver Does Next-Level Italian Dining
Venetian small plates enliven the ground floor of an already swinging hotel.
By Allison Williams November 9, 2021

https://www.seattlemet.com/travel-and-ou...d-restaurants-vancouver-british-columbia

Canada’s Greatest Chinese Food Is at the Mall
In Richmond, just south of Vancouver, authentic Chinese fare flourishes in the most casual of venues: the food court. Plus a new way to eat like a local and a sparkling new hotel.
By Allison Williams November 9, 2021

[RDW989]

The space on the 900-block Denman, between Barclay and Nelson, long time home to the Dover Arms and a liquor store, which has been empty, I think for 4+ years is coming back to life. Coordinated signage for two spaces — Jungle Room Health Bar and Cocktail Lounge, and Kev’s Epicerie/Gourmet Market.

My pixs, today, Nov 12
Jungle Room
[IMG]

Kev's
[IMG]http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mJrEL6][url=https://flic.kr/p/2mJrEL6]

Together, they occupy the ground floor of the entire building except for the Royal Bank at the corner
[IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2mJqCsQ]

[giallo]

^ Nice.

I loved the Dover Arms. It was my local dive bar for a number of years.

[SpongeG]

a health bar and cocktails? so like a kale salad with a gin fizz?

[hollywoodnorth]

Jungle Room Health Bar and Cocktail Lounge, and Kev’s Epicerie/Gourmet Market.

wow talk about poorly thought out business ideas. I give both of them 2 years max. With Kev’s Epicerie more than likely being gone within 6-12 months.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

Jungle Room Health Bar and Cocktail Lounge, and Kev’s Epicerie/Gourmet Market.

wow talk about poorly thought out business ideas. I give both of them 2 years max. With Kev’s Epicerie more than likely being gone within 6-12 months.

Health Bar / Lounge is probably a daytime / nighttime split in use.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Health Bar / Lounge is probably a daytime / nighttime split in use.

for sure just like Kevin & Kevin Juice Bar & Cocktail Lounge in Chinatown >> https://www.kevinandkevinjuice.com/

only the Rent for that Space on Denman must be exorbitant as it sat for so long till they found a sucker.

[giallo]

I discovered this Youtuber recently, and he does some really good videos on the Vancouver food scene. This one really caught my eye. I can't wait to come back, and check this food court out.

• Video Link

[GeeCee]

The Cactus Club construction at Coquitlam Centre has finally started once again. No picture, but the elevator core is quite visible from the road and there's some new signage and fencing up.

(Edit: it's actually supposed to be a single story building.. maybe it's for a safe instead? whole lot of vertical concrete for a single story building, anyways.)

Mary Brown's Chicken seems to have opened in Port Moody recently as well.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

The Cactus Club construction at Coquitlam Centre has finally started once again. No picture, but the elevator core is quite visible from the road and there's some new signage and fencing up.

(Edit: it's actually supposed to be a single story building.. maybe it's for a safe instead? whole lot of vertical concrete for a single story building, anyways.)

Mary Brown's Chicken seems to have opened in Port Moody recently as well.

Here's the development application for the Cactus Club

https://coquitlam.ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1302&meta_id=24179

[hollywoodnorth]

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/suppl...restaurant-in-greater-victoria-1.5678649

Supply chain issues delay opening of Popeyes chicken restaurant in Greater Victoria

Muhabat says Popeyes chose the site for Greater Victoria’s first fast food restaurant carefully.

“When choosing a new location, Popeyes looks at traffic counts and population density,” said Muhabat. “This location close to the University of Victoria certainly clicks those factors.”

Muhabat is looking at opening as many as five more franchises on Vancouver Island. He says the company hopes to open its second location in Nanaimo in time for Christmas.

“We are looking at opening more locations in Courtenay and Parksville,” said Muhabat. “We are looking at opening more locations in Victoria, possibly in Langford or Colwood.”

[NewfBC]

Swiss Chalet Lougheed Burnaby Closing!

Sad news...

‘Heartbreaking’: Burnaby Swiss Chalet shutting down as iconic company sheds locations

https://www.burnabynow.com/local-busines...s-iconic-company-sheds-locations-4828056

Ron.

[jollyburger]

The return of Baskin Robins

Baskin-Robbins recently opened a new shop in Oshawa, Ontario, its 106th location in Canada, as the brand continues to expand in the Canadian marketplace with big plans next for the Vancouver area.

Natalie Joseph, Senior International Field Marketing Manager for Baskin-Robbins Canada, said the company for 2022, 2023 and beyond has brought on a franchisee who is going to be developing in the British Columbia market, predominantly in the Greater Vancouver Area.

“This gentleman has just signed on a 15 store development over the next two to three years and the first shop is going to break ground in March with a planned opening of April or May,” she said.

I'm surprised they still had five locations in Vancouver. I just know of the one in Horseshoe Bay and Marine Drive in North Van. The other ones are in Surrey and Tsawwassen Mills.

https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...sion-with-major-west-coast-growth-plans/

[SpongeG]

there is one near the Hmart near Willowbrook.

Baskin Robbins is very popular in Korea.


tripadvisor.com

They built a fancy one recently


thesmartlocal.com

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

there is one near the Hmart near Willowbrook.

Baskin Robbins is very popular in Korea.

Thanks to their partner most likely. Licensed to SPC (Paris Baguette, Dunkin Donuts, Eggslut, Shake Shack)

[hollywoodnorth]

Bella Gelateria is taking over the old Starbucks/Cows space on Jervis@Robson. should be rocking for them over the Summer months.

they also have the old Tim Hortons space on Davie@Denman and a spot at the new Brentwood.

https://www.instagram.com/bellagelateria/

[Metro-One]

Baskin Robbins is huge in Japan too, but they all refer to it as “31.”