Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread - Page 11

incognism · #**201** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 7:56 PM**

Refuel on 4th has been sold and will be closing. Top Chef Canada, Season 2 contestant, Trevor Bird has bought the location.

Quote:

As you may have heard, restaurateurs Tom Doughty and Robert Belcham have sold their first restaurant, Refuel (formerly Fuel). It had been on the market for quite some time, and we expect that the move will allow them to concentrate on the opening of Fat Dragon on the DTES, which could open as soon as April 1st (the duo also own the two Campagnolos). Current Top Chef Canada competitor Trevor Bird approached Belcham and Doughty three weeks ago, made an offer, and a deal was made. The 28 year old, a newcomer to Vancouver, announced last night that he will be opening a new restaurant in Refuel’s place called “Fable”.

http://scoutmagazine.ca/2012/03/13/d...-in-its-place/

djh · #**202** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 9:37 PM**

That's totally ridiculous that the Board of Variance would deny a sign made of wood, given that a) their existing signage appears to be all-wood; b) as they say in their petition, they want to use sustainable materials that reflect their philosophies, and c) given Vancouver's aim of being the Greenest City in the World, you would think this idea would receive widespread support from the city.

The new location looks fabulous - perhaps too big for them (I love the intimate atmosphere of their two existing small spaces, but good for them for expanding). Does anybody know where the new location will be? From the photo it looks like a new condo development, but which one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

east is east on main street apparently isn't allowed to have a wooden sign - you can sign a petition here if u want them to have it

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Eas...support-today/

from twitter:

Vancouver Is Awesome ‏ @VIAwesome Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
One of my fav Main St restaurants, East Is East, isn't allowed to have a wooden sign. That's dumb. Sign the petition?: ow.ly/9sZkh

incognism · #**203** Posted **Mar 14, 2012, 9:33 PM**

Q4 has purchased the old Lumiere + db Moderne Bistro/Feenie's locations:

Quote:

For the DB/Feenie’s side, they’re thinking about turning it into another Q4 and changing the original on West 4th into something else. As for Lumiere, they’re planning on turning it into a cool little wine bar.

http://scoutmagazine.ca/2012/03/13/d...ar-restaurant/

Built Form · #**204** Posted **Mar 16, 2012, 4:38 AM**

Shore Club is closing at the end of the month before being turned into the Keg. The beautiful interior will be gutted; seems like a waste. The Thurlow Keg will probably close soon after.

hollywoodnorth · #**205** Posted **Mar 16, 2012, 5:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built Form

Shore Club is closing at the end of the month before being turned into the Keg. The beautiful interior will be gutted; seems like a waste. The Thurlow Keg will probably close soon after.

wow! the Shore Club always seemed like a flop to me ..... and I guess it was

interesting that there will be a sizable 2 story space there on Thurlow and Alberni. .... maybe McDonalds will snag some of it ... ?

whatnext · #**206** Posted **Mar 16, 2012, 5:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by djh

That's totally ridiculous that the Board of Variance would deny a sign made of wood, given that a) their existing signage appears to be all-wood; b) as they say in their petition, they want to use sustainable materials that reflect their philosophies, and c) given Vancouver's aim of being the Greenest City in the World, you would think this idea would receive widespread support from the city.

The new location looks fabulous - perhaps too big for them (I love the intimate atmosphere of their two existing small spaces, but good for them for expanding). Does anybody know where the new location will be? From the photo it looks like a new condo development, but which one?

I'm sure the planning department salivates over stuff like the soul-sucking Shoppers at 3333 Main, anything outside that pattern apparently makes their head explode.

Built Form · #**207** Posted **Mar 16, 2012, 8:15 AM**

As previously mentioned the new Mexican restaurant 'Petron Tacos & Cantina' on Robson in the TV Towers development is close to opening.

pic by Built Form

officedweller · #**208** Posted **Mar 20, 2012, 2:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Built Form

Shore Club is closing at the end of the month before being turned into the Keg. The beautiful interior will be gutted; seems like a waste. The Thurlow Keg will probably close soon after.

Wow.

I wonder if they'll reduce the size of the Shore Club's vertical sign, or just centre "The Keg" on it?

What about the Shore Club in TO (at the RBC Dexia tower (next to their Ritz Carlton?) - any idea of that one has that one succeeded, or is it being converted too?

*****

WRT the Tacos & Cantina - "Patron" is the brand name of a tequila - doesn't that breach some sign law or the other?

EastVanMark · #**209** Posted **Mar 20, 2012, 8:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by djh

That's totally ridiculous that the Board of Variance would deny a sign made of wood

Its the Board of Variance that is ridiculous. They are the enforcers of the nimby agenda at City Hall in Vancouver.

jlousa · #**210** Posted **Mar 21, 2012, 2:39 AM**

Here is the development permit for the Tap and Barrell that is going into Creekside Community centre. Going to be one of the largest patios in the city.

Notification Letter
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...icationltr.PDF

Operational Plan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...tionalplan.PDF

Site Plan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...s/siteplan.pdf

Ground Floor Plan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...undflrplan.pdf

West Elevations
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...elevations.pdf

Sir Conga · #**211** Posted **Mar 25, 2012, 8:18 AM**

“Oyster Express” to open in Chinatown. Awesome to see something new in that space.

giallo · #**212** Posted **Mar 25, 2012, 10:49 AM**

Guy Fieri hits up a lot Vancouver's favourites in a recent epsiode.

WARNING: DO NOT WATCH HUNGRY

• Video Link

sacrifice333 · #**213** Posted **Mar 25, 2012, 7:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

Here is the development permit for the Tap and Barrell that is going into Creekside Community centre. Going to be one of the largest patios in the city.

Notification Letter
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...icationltr.PDF

Operational Plan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...tionalplan.PDF

Site Plan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...s/siteplan.pdf

Ground Floor Plan
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...undflrplan.pdf

West Elevations
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/develop...elevations.pdf

Stoked for this restaurant! That will be one of the nicest, SUNNIEST patios in the city! Also stoked the name has apparently changed from "Your Village Kitchen" to "Tap & Barrell".

I just hope that Daniel Group will give some serious attention to the food quality. Have eaten at The Mill a couple of times and despite its awesome setting have been really disappointed when ordering anything more than a pint!

jlousa · #**214** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 2:21 AM**

Well it's taken a long time but it looks like there's movement on the old Mortons space at Sinclair centre. They have had workers in there all week and today they had an auction house taking a bunch of items out. Don't think it's been leased out yet but it appears that they've given up on finding another operator for a restaurant.

sacrifice333 · #**215** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 12:58 AM**

From @DGBars on Twitter re Tap & Barrel, space on the West end of the Creekside Community Ctr at The Village ::

#olympicVillage restaurant is coming along great! Still lots to do before June: http://t.co/3aZr7ESD

{hope that image worked...}

EastVanMark · #**216** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 1:44 AM**

Thanks Giallo for posting those! Can't believe I've never even heard of a couple of those places! Great to see some unique independent restaurants popping up in the city.

And as for the food carts, it just goes to show the kinds of things that can happen when you remove the shackles of overbearing bylaws. Remember, those food carts would not have been allowed a few years ago.

Conrad Yablonski · #**217** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 1:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

Thanks Giallo for posting those! Can't believe I've never even heard of a couple of those places!Great to see some unique independent restaurants popping up in the city.

You need to leave Facebook behind and spend more time surfing the net- local food blogs are full of info about places like those-and Vancouver has always had lots of independent restaurants.

EastVanMark · #**218** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 2:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conrad Yablonski

You need to leave Facebook behind and spend more time surfing the net- local food blogs are full of info about places like those-and Vancouver has always had lots of independent restaurants.

#1. Not on the facebook. #2 There's a difference between good independent restaurants (like some of those that were shown) and crappy ones. Just because you're independent doesn't necessarily make you good. The places shown on "Diners" share common traits like fresh good tasting food, good portion size, and relatively cheap prices.

jlousa · #**219** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 3:28 AM**

Guess it depends on which circles you're in, but I concur Vancouver is loaded with small top notch independents. One of the best places to learn about them is Scout Magazine. There are a few events that aren't talked about even on the local foodie blogs such as warehouse iron chef style battles featuring some of Vancouver's top chefs. There are even a few u/g restaurants that consist of showing up at someones house and eating whatever they've arranged and paying them a prixe fixe for the privilege. Vancouver is pretty cool as far as the food scene is concerned.

SpongeG · #**220** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 5:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

Thanks Giallo for posting those! Can't believe I've never even heard of a couple of those places! Great to see some unique independent restaurants popping up in the city.

And as for the food carts, it just goes to show the kinds of things that can happen when you remove the shackles of overbearing bylaws. Remember, those food carts would not have been allowed a few years ago.

I don't know about the food carts - some of them lost their license - that coma truck the city wouldn't renew their license and they had a loyal following - but apparently they have to compete once a year to get a license - on one hand i can understand but it takes something like $15,000 just to even entertain the idea of having a food cart and some who got licenses didn't even open one up and resold the license thus bypassing the whole process which is quite unfair especailly when established ones have had to cease operations