by Andrew Morrison | Mark Taylor is closing his critically-acclaimed Cru Restaurant on June 30th, almost 9 years to the day after it opened at 1459 West Broadway. The sad news comes just a few months after he opened his second restaurant, the Mediterranean-themed Siena, located nearby at 1485 West 12th.
Taylor doesn’t believe that the coming end of Cru should be seen as further indication of Vancouver’s divorce from fine dining. “Look at Hawksworth, Blue Water, Cioppino’s…they’re all doing buckets,” he told me over the phone this afternoon. “Cru was actually busier after Siena opened, but the hassle to pleasure ratio is just not what it used to be. I know it sounds like politician’s cliche, but I’m really looking forward to spending more time with my family.” Though Taylor has sold the assets within, he’d like to assure Vancouverites that there’s a good chance that he’ll open Cru again somewhere else at some point down the line. In the meantime, however, he has a new baby to enjoy and a marriage/honeymoon on the horizon this Fall.
The wine bar will be fondly remembered for its award-winning small plates, its addictive duck confit, its “Cellar Door” Caesars, its understated elegance, its deep wine list, and its personal, whip-smart service. If you’ve never been to Cru before, you should while you still can.
That’s too bad, Cru always delivered. Haven’t had a chance to try Siena yet, is that staying open?
Big loss for all of us and for Vancouver!!!
Great to see one of our classiest restaurateurs take some time for himself and his beautiful family.
Running one restaurant well is hard enough, running two can be chaos, and often feeling like one is suffering while the other gets your attention.
Mark proves once again that he’s smart enough to avoid the common pitfalls of ambition that takes down most operators, and chose the location he’ll be spending his next 10 years at, with his family. Very wise.
Best of luck.
We are sad to see Cru close, as it has been a must for us every time we cometo Vancouver, lots of fabulous meals,great wines, and very lovely evenings. I know that Siena will be a great place to visit, too. Good
for you, Mark!