Confirmed: Jeff Van Geest To Diva At The Met

We had this up as hearsay last week but it’s now confirmed. Former Aurora Bistro owner/chef Jeff Van Geest signed on the dotted line with Diva at the Met today to become Dino Renaerts’ executive sous/restaurant chef. His first day is tomorrow.

Congratulations to all involved. Win-win, et cetera.

Wallflower Modern Diner Opens On Main St.

Wallflower Modern Diner opened last night at 2420 Main (formerly Aurora Bistro). The diner concept is going to see something of a renaissance this year, with the recession-weary and cash-worried looking for cold comfort for change rather than hot air for a cool breeze, and this place looks to fit the bill. The menu is about 80% straight-up comfort food. Think pot pies, poutine, French onion soup, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, burgers, wings, nachos, and Reubens. Prices are in the $7 to $15 range. Total sweetspot territory.

[imgset:72157612140516920,square,true]

Given how nice it was to begin with, owners Matt and Lisa Hewlitt have understandably kept much of Aurora’s shell intact (wooden walls, curved bar hutch, ceiling fans, ancient floors, et cetera). This made it a little strange at first. As someone who will look back on the old place very fondly, it was hard not to get tripped up by the parallel dimensional optics. I half expected to see former owner/chef Jeff Van Geest sit down for a Sun God or polymath server Rich Hope polish a glass.

It’s certainly its own place, but it’ll probably take some getting used to for those familiar with the award-winning room that once was. The old bar has gone, or rather expanded, gaining a half-dozen seats and now running lengthwise with the room (feng better). Several of the old plywood tables displaced by this new focal point have seen their tops sanded down and incorporated into bar (stoking recyclers to no end). The stools are soft and cozily backed, and though I am not generally a fan of flat screen televisions, the one they have isn’t all that bothersome.

The lighting is certainly more atmospheric than it was before, which I like, and the music is just as eclectic as it was in Aurora’s time, sort of a Smiths-Stones-Dinosaur Jr tone that gelled with the neighbourhood. There are a few personal touches here and there, too. They keep a lego model of the bar on hand that they used as a construction reference (complete with a tiny block next to the micro lego glass washer that reads “RESTAURANT” in thin blue Century Gothic font), and those who contributed to the build were given a brush and told to paint a flower on the inset wall above the long banquette (the fabric of which remains that thinly weaved grey tweedish stuff).

Wait, I just got the whole flowers on the wall thing! Wallflower. Took me long enough. It’s weird, but I like it, and though I kinda feel dirty doing so, life moves on.

Best of luck Matt and Lisa. It was really nice to meet you.

————————————————————————–

Andrew Morrison is a west coast boy who studied history and classics at the Universities of Cape Town and Toronto after an adolescence spent riding skateboards and working in restaurants. He is the editor of Scout Magazine, the weekly food and restaurant columnist for the Westender newspaper, and a contributor to Vancouver and Western Living magazines.

——————————————————–

Wallflower To Replace Aurora

Just to stop the rumour mill from continuing to churn out some real doozies, a veteran FOH’er named Lisa Hewlett (ex-Boathouse, Jimmy’s Taphouse) has struck a deal with Aurora owner Jeff Van Geest to take over his former Main St. location (he handed over the keys this morning). The most interesting gossip saw the space landing in the lap of Andrey Durbach and Chris Stewart of Parkside, La Buca, and Pied-a-Terre, but though there was some truth to this (there were talks) it has come to naught. The deal is done.

The new restaurant, dubbed The Wallflower Modern Diner, will focus on accessible, health-conscious diner fare with some of the recipes coming from Hewlett’s own grandmother. Renos sound like they’ll be light to moderate, with very little in the way of structural modifications (if any at all). Opening day is slated for some time in January.

“We’re trying to bring something to the community that will be a good fit” Hewlett told me over the phone this afternoon. Diner food sounds about right these days.

We wish both Lisa and Jeff the best of luck.

Aurora Bistro Has Closed

Saddest. News. Ever. It’s been bottled up (and leaking) for the last few days, but now it’s official.

After more than five years of operation in Vancouver’s emergent Main Street neighbourhood, Aurora Bistro has closed its doors. Aurora Bistro opened in June 2003 to rave reviews and has remained a popular regional restaurant winning numerous awards.

Despite the restaurant’s broad following and significant acclaim, it recently became evident that the business could no longer remain profitable and continue to operate.

To close the restaurant was a difficult decision to make, but after committing five years to Aurora as a hard-working chef and active restaurant owner, Jeff Van Geest is ready for a fresh start and welcomes more time to spend with his family.

“I want to thank my incredible staff for their hard work and dedication to Aurora. I also want to sincerely thank our suppliers, customers, our dear industry friends and the food and wine media for their amazing support over the years” says Van Geest.

When an award-winning, eco-conscious, local-friendly, and all around awesome restaurant can’t find enough customers to fill 30 seats a night, I wonder at the future of our restaurant scene. Too pissed at my own city to say much at the moment. Please comment, leave best wishes, and discuss in the forum.