Department of Tragedy: The Last Call At Broadway’s Lumiere & DB Bistro Moderne
March 14, 2011
Tonight was the last service by DB Bistro Moderne & Lumiere, two excellent restaurants on West Broadway that closed before their time, lasting just two years. Whatever the why of it, it’s still a damn shame.
Rob Clark of C Restaurant Wins Vancouver’s Gold Medal Plates
October 30, 2010
by Andrew Morrison | The Vancouver Gold Medal Plates went down at the Sheraton Wall Center last night. The chefs vying for gold and the opportunity to compete at February’s Canadian Culinary Championships were as follows: Neil Taylor (Cibo Trattoria), Quang Dang (Diva at the Met), Darren Brown (Coast), Nico Schuermans (Chambar), Cam Smith and Dana Ewart (Joy Road), Nicholas Nutting (The Pointe at the Wickaninnish Inn), Roger Sleiman (Quails’ Gate Winery), Stuart Klassen (Delta Grand) and Robert Clark (C Restaurant). The wineries in pairing action were all local: LaStella, Black Hills, Sandhill, Aces, Tantalus, Painted Rock, 8th Generation, Quails’ Gate, Laughing Stock, and Foxtrot.
It was the fastest GMP I’d ever judged. At our table (joined by last year’s winner, Rob Feenie, and sequestered away from the 700+ crowd), we plowed through the 10 dishes in just under two hours. We saw very little in the way of drama, but there was some negligence. One dish arrived stone cold, another was fumbled in delivery, and one of the wine pairings arrived corked (swiftly replaced). Temperature aside, there certainly weren’t any duds in the lot; the level of cooking being absolutely top drawer.
We structured the order with the gentlest flavours and lighter whites starting us off and the bolder reds (both meats and wines) shutting us down. Scoring was done for presentation (20 points), texture (20 points), taste (30 points), wine compatibility (10 points), originality (10 points), and wow factor (10 points), adding up to a possible 100 points. The lowest score that I gave was 62, while my highest was 83. The judges scores for each chef/dish are added up at the end in a private room, and the math determines who wins.
Scout Jobs: Opportunity At DB Bistro For Experienced Manager
October 20, 2010
db bistro moderne is located at 2551 West Broadway in Vancouver, BC | 604-739-7115 | www.dbbistro.ca
Posted by Scout supporter DB Bistro Moderne
Vancouver, BC | Kitsilano’s award-winning db Bistro Moderne is seeking an experienced restaurant manager for full-time employment. This is an excellent opportunity to work with Daniel Boulud and his Dinex restaurant group in a high volume, professional environment. Successful applicant must have a passion for exceptional food, wine and hospitality and possess intimate knowledge of Open Table and Micros. Responsibilities will be divided between administration and providing a strong presence on the floor during service. Duties include training/elevating the caliber of the front of house team, updating and maintaining menus, booking reservations, overseeing the dining room and catering to the needs of our clientele. At least three years restaurant experience is a must. Please apply in person with cover letter and CV between 3-5pm or in confidence via email at cgonzalez@lumiere.ca.
Five “AAA” Diamonds Shine On West Broadway’s “Lumière”
October 7, 2010
Lumiere Restaurant is located at 2551 West Broadway in Vancouver | 604-739-8185 | www.lumiere.ca
News from Scout supporter Lumiere
Vancouver, BC | Proprietors David and Manjy Sidoo and partner Chef Daniel Boulud are extraordinarily pleased to announce that Lumière restaurant in Vancouver received the coveted Five Diamond Award Designation from AAA/CAA for 2011 – a designation awarded to just one British Columbia restaurant, and reserved for less than one-quarter of one percent of the over 26,000 AAA approved restaurants in North America and the Caribbean. Only six Canadian restaurants were awarded Five Diamonds. Chef Boulud’s world-renowned Restaurant DANIEL in New York, received the Five Diamond designation as well again this year. Read more
10 Minutes With New “DB Bistro” Chef, Nathan Guggenheimer…
April 15, 2010
For our 64th interview on Scout, we chat with Nathan Guggenheimer, who was recently promoted from his sous chef position at Lumiere to the chef de cuisine job next door at DB Bistro. He is also the principal organiser (and namesake) of the restaurant industry’s annual Guggenheimer Dog Gobble, something of a shoe fetishist, and an all around quality guy.
SCOUT Q&A
First memory? Standing and crying outside of school on my very first day of kindergarten, refusing to go inside (my mom took me home).
First album that made you love music? Meatloaf ‘Bat of Hell’. Not the second one! That was crap.
The first three things you do every morning? Open my eyes, hit the snooze button, think about what I have to get done throughout the day.
Three things about your home base of Kitsilano that make you want to live there: It’s close to work, close to [Lumiere chef] Dale Mackay, and jogging on the beach.
The thing that excites you most about your new position at DB Bistro: Getting to work directly with Daniel.
The thing that you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating: The fat drippings that are left over in the pans from the meat section.
Default drink of choice when you walk into a bar or restaurant: one shot of Campari, two ice cubes, one splash of water. Read more
Lumiere and Db Bistro Offering Special Olympic Hangover Menus
March 15, 2010
A couple of months ago I wrote briefly about an outstanding meal I’d had at Lumiere. No evening out since has bested it on both the food and service fronts, and though I can’t slip into luxury mode all that often, I’m eager to give it another go sooner rather than later. I’ve had 8 pizzas in 10 days, so I’m due for some white linen and crystal.
It looks like I’ll probably get my wish, too. From a recent email:
Both Lumiere and db Bistro Moderne are offering ‘Olympic Hangover Menus’ during the month of March. We have a three course menu at db bistro for a scant $30 and a three course menu at Lumiere for $60. They are both wonderful and compelling ways to revisit our dining rooms…
No kidding. Take a look after the jump to check out the special menus. Several of the dishes that my wife and I enjoyed during our recent visit are offered on Lumiere’s special menu, including the hamachi and the beef duo, both of which were extraordinarily good. If you need a photo refresher, click the link above after reading the menu below. Read more
Chef Daniel Boulud In Town For Games, Holds Gold Up On Grouse
February 16, 2010
Stephane Istel, Daniel Boulud, Dale Mackay | Fun & Games, part of mountain-top segment for the TODAY show
News from Scout supporters db Bistro Moderne & Lumiere
Vancouver, BC | Chef Daniel Boulud, in Vancouver to help his Canadian culinary team welcome the world to db Bistro Moderne (Vancouver) and Lumière restaurants, was invited up Grouse Mountain to demonstrate Olympic Cooking ‘Vancouver Style’ for NBC TODAY Show co-anchor Meredith Vieira, as part of the network’s Olympic coverage. Chef Daniel MacKay of Lumière and Chef Stephane Istel of db Bistro Moderne helped Boulud prepare signature dishes for Meredith and a small group of on-looking early risers. Though cooking isn’t a recognized Olympic sport, the three white-gloved chefs did somehow manage to hold gold, silver and bronze medals – if only briefly, before heading back down the mountain and into their kitchens. Read more
db Bistro Moderne & Lumière Both Score High ZAGAT Ratings
February 4, 2010
db Bistro Moderne & Lumière Build on Tradition of Excellence; Sister Restaurants Receive High Praise from ZAGAT
News from Scout supporters db Bistro Moderne & Lumiere
Vancouver, BC | Proprietors David and Manjy Sidoo and Daniel Boulud are extraordinarily pleased to announce that, db Bistro Moderne, Vancouver, and Lumière received outstanding ratings from ZAGAT, the world’s leading provider of consumer survey-based information on where to eat, drink, stay and play, worldwide. “It’s wonderful to receive excellent critical review, but it is truly gratifying to learn that our customers and peers share those sentiments as well,” says David Sidoo.
“We introduced db Bistro Moderne and re-introduced Lumière to Vancouver just over one year ago, during industry-challenged times and to the most discerning group of diners the city has seen in over a decade. The 2010 ZAGAT survey results certainly direct all credit where it is due – to our world-class Chefs Daniel Boulud, Dale MacKay and Stephane Istel, and to our incredible restaurant team.”
ZAGAT restaurant ratings are consumer survey-based, and focus on three easily digestible categories, namely food, décor and service. Each category is assigned a numeric rating from one to 30, with 30 representing perfection. An average cost per cover is assigned, and a short encapsulating paragraph delivers the overall experience to the uninitiated in 100 words or less. Read more
Scout Photos: Goodbye January We’re So Bummed To See You Go…
February 2, 2010
Michael Eckford photobombs competing barman Geoff Robinson (who would ultimately win) at the Inniskillin icewine cocktail competition held at The Diamond on January 18th
It’s been a good and interesting month. It began with my friend Nathan, notorious dog gobbler and sous chef at Lumiere, inviting my wife and I to dine at the Relais Gourmand restaurant. Not since a lunch with the CCC folks at West a couple of months ago had I done a fine dining, multi-course affair with paired wines and petit fours or felt compelled to don a jacket while in a restaurant, so this was something of a special occasion. For certain, I’d been on a tear reviewing inexpensive restaurants for the newspaper, and felt like I’d paid enough dues in poutine, ramen, and burgers to warrant a little foray back into the world of refined excess. I don’t mean to say that I had deserved or earned it, but rather that I supped and drank heartily and naturally in good conscience. Read more
Chris González The New GM Of Lumière and db Bistro Moderne
January 21, 2010
Accomplished industry veteran Chris González tapped to lead Relais & Chateaux properties
News from Scout supporters Lumière and DB Bistro
Vancouver, BC | Proprietors David and Manjy Sidoo and Daniel Boulud are thrilled to announce that Mr. Chris González has joined their award-winning front of house team as General Manager. “Chris is an exceptional young man with a sterling reputation in Vancouver’s thriving culinary scene. We are absolutely elated to have him at the helm as we welcome the world in 2010.”
A consummate professional, Chris joins Lumière and db Bistro Moderne after a two-year tenure as Restaurant Manager at Robson Street’s CinCin Ristorante + Bar. A graduate of Vancouver’s venerable Top Table restaurant group, Chris brings passion, culinary savvy and gracious hospitality to Lumière and db bistro.
Chris has long been an active participant in British Columbia’s hospitality arena, serving as General Manager of Yaletown’s Villa del Lupo Restaurant and as a representative of Canadian Winery of the Year Summerhill Estate Winery in Kelowna. An avid traveler and culinary enthusiast, Chris looks forward to inspiring staff, elevating expectations and delivering memorable Five Diamond Service to compliment the superlative cuisine of Chefs Boulud, MacKay and Istel.
Chris is also an accomplished food and wine writer whose words have graced the pages of Vancouver Magazine, Georgia Straight, Vancouver City Guide and the Eating & Drinking Guide. He has also served previously as a judge for Vancouver Magazine’s esteemed Restaurant Awards. His keen eye, discerning palate and boundless enthusiasm make him a welcome addition to the Lumière and db Bistro Moderne family. Read more
