I swung by the location of The Sardine Can in Gastown (26 Powell St.) over the weekend to have a closer look. A refresher…
The concept sounds like a proper Spanish tapas bar; the hole in the wall kind that Vancouver’s most hopeful food lovers have long been waiting for. Durbach and Stewart want to make it the most casual and accessible restaurant in their stable. That means no molecular gastronomy, no El Bullish artistry, no high falutin’ anything. Instead, Durbach tells us that we can expect some 12 raciones (small plates) alongside Spanish wines served in tumblers, a decent selection of sherries and Spanish beers, as well as a couple of Cavas.
There wil be 10 seats at the bar (which will double as a kitchen), plus three tables that can be configured to fit groups both small (4) and large (10). As befitting the casual, no nonsense intent of the concept, they will only be serving walk-ins. They’re also toying with the idea of opening as early as 3pm, which is pretty damn awesome, as Gastown is pretty dry before 5:30pm. Expect midnight as their nightly close, perhaps later on weekends.
They’ve only just taken possession, but you can see the potential…
I know this space, I think it requires a major overhaul before anyone will want to go there
The third restaurant in this space in six months. I hope this one lasts. It’s a prime location, but more befitting of a sandwich shop or kebab joint.
Sounds great! Boquerones, pleez!
y croquettas por favor
any opening date update?
*Sigh*
Judas Goat was supposed to be ‘authentic’. I’m pretty fed up of having authenticity promised; it’s just not possible here. The only authentic thing is the real thing. This place will be inspired by the real thing, at best.
To be close to authentic, you’d be able to crowd in there and stand; not possible in BC and people don’t want to do it anyway. Also, it would have to be unpretentious and a bit rough around the edges. People here wouldn’t know unpretentious if it kicked them in the cojones.