GOODS: Coal Harbour’s Hapa Umi Set To Become 4th Hapa Izakaya This Wednesday
March 5, 2012
The new Hapa Izakaya will be located at 110-909 West Cordova in Vancouver, BC | 604.420.4272 | www.HapaIzakaya.com
The GOODS from Hapa Izakaya
Vancouver, BC | Lea and Justin Ault of Vancouver’s Hapa Izakaya restaurant group are pleased to announce the opening of a Hapa Izakaya in the Coal Harbour neighbourhood, on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The transformation is already under way at 909 West Cordova (Waterfront Centre), at their former Hapa Umi restaurant location, across the street from the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Hapa Umi opened as a higher-end “sister” restaurant to Vancouver’s famed Hapa Izakayas in March of 2011. Over the past year, critics and guests alike have praised Hapa Umi for its wide range of exceptional Japanese and Japanese-inspired dishes including a large selection of Ocean WiseÔ sustainable sashimi and sushi favorites. After listening to a great deal of guest feedback, however, the Aults felt there was an even greater, un-met demand for an izakaya-style restaurant in the Coal Harbour area. Read more
First Look Inside Hapa Izakaya’s New Upscale “Hapa Umi” Concept
February 24, 2011
I took a good gander inside the new Hapa concept today. Scout broke the news of Hapa Umi’s coming back in late December 2010:
Justin and Lea Ault of Hapa Izakaya have secured the old Metro restaurant location next to the Pan Pacific. The pair, with three cool Hapas already in their stable (Kits, Robson, Yaletown), aim to open a new Japanese concept that is “a couple notches up” from the free-wheeling casualness that their brand is known for. “I don’t want to say it will be fine dining,” says Justin, “but it will be more sophisticated.”
The name is Hapa Umi, umi being the Japanese word for “ocean”. I imagine that means that we can expect lots of seafood, especially manifested in quality, “full-on” sushi. Justin assures me that Hapa Umi will still serve plenty of the familiar small plates and izakaya favourites, too, so I’m not imagining a second coming of Tojo’s. That said, the company’s chefs are more than capable of doing more than just basic izakaya fare (witness the always inventive, hand-written special lists at each location), so it’ll certainly be interesting to see them go farther off the reservation than they have before (with presumably high food costs, too). Executing the elevated theme will be head chef Tomoki Yamasaki (from the Robson location), who is joined by the formally trained Tetsuya Shimizu, lately of the raw bar at Yaletown’s Blue Water Cafe. I trust service will get a lift as well (the GM is Kevin Banno, a managerial veteran of the Cactus empire).
Metro was left largely intact when it shuttered in the early summer of 2009 (pretty much everything is still there, down to the silverware and linen). It was an ideal get for the right concept, and I can’t think of a tighter one than this. For those unfamiliar with the space, it sports an open kitchen that connects to a bar in a huge U-shape, a 30 seat lounge, 35 seat patio, 12 seat private room and 100 seat floor. Local design house M Studios will give it a makeover – replacing carpets, upholstery, banquettes and so forth – but we can expect a quick turnaround. It could be open as early as the middle of February, but March is more realistic.
March indeed. They’re looking at the 10th now. Take a look… Read more
New Upscale Hapa Izakaya Joint “Hapa Umi” Hiring All Positions
January 11, 2011
Hapa Izakaya locations are at 1479 Robson St, 1516 Yew St and 1193 Hamilton St. | Visit www.hapaizakaya.com
Job posting from Scout supporter Hapa Izakaya
Vancouver, BC | Hapa Izakaya Restaurants Ltd. is excited to announce the launch of its new restaurant, Hapa Umi, opening by March 2011 in downtown Vancouver’s waterfront area, across the street from the Vancouver Convention Centre. The restaurant will offer an upscale twist on what Hapa Izakaya has been doing with great success since opening on Robson in 2003. Hapa Umi is now hiring for all positions. Details after the jump… Read more
Hapa Izayaka To Open “Hapa Umi” In The Old Metro Spot In March
December 29, 2010
Justin and Lea Ault of Hapa Izakaya have secured the old Metro restaurant location next to the Pan Pacific. The pair, with three cool Hapas already in their stable (Kits, Robson, Yaletown), aim to open a new Japanese concept that is “a couple notches up” from the free-wheeling casualness that their brand is known for. “I don’t want to say it will be fine dining,” says Justin, “but it will be more sophisticated.”
The name is Hapa Umi, umi being the Japanese word for “ocean”. I imagine that means that we can expect lots of seafood, especially manifested in quality, “full-on” sushi. Justin assures me that Hapa Umi will still serve plenty of the familiar small plates and izakaya favourites, too, so I’m not imagining a second coming of Tojo’s. That said, the company’s chefs are more than capable of doing more than just basic izakaya fare (witness the always inventive, hand-written special lists at each location), so it’ll certainly be interesting to see them go farther off the reservation than they have before (with presumably high food costs, too). Executing the elevated theme will be head chef Tomoki Yamasaki (from the Robson location), who is joined by the formally trained Tetsuya Shimizu, lately of the raw bar at Yaletown’s Blue Water Cafe. I trust service will get a lift as well (the GM is Kevin Banno, a managerial veteran of the Cactus empire). Read more
The “Hapa Izakaya” Joints Have Joined The Scout Community…
August 27, 2010
All three locations of Hapa Izakaya are now proud member supporters of Scout. We will be publishing their news and press releases on our front page and hosting a page for them in our list of recommended places to check out. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support of our little website. Click ahead to read on or jump directly to their Scout page… Read more
First Look Inside Hapa Izakaya’s Sweet New Yaletown Location…
January 12, 2010
A couple of weeks ago Scout broke the news that Yaletown was soon to be blessed with the third location of Justin and Lea Ault’s kickass and standard setting Hapa Izakaya (they’d picked up the dormant former Shiru-Bay Chopstick Cafe spot at 1193 Hamilton Street). I met up with Justin yesterday at the construction site and was surprised by how far they’ve come already. They now look to be no more than two days and one permit away (I say crossing fingers and knocking on wood). For those eagerly anticipating the food, the menu appears to be an amalgam of the Robson and Kits locations, though I imagine head chef Hokuto Yamanaka and his sous Tomoki Yamasaki will get tangential whenever the fancy strikes. We’re looking forward to it just as much as you are!
ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS
Popular “Hapa Izakaya” To Land On Yaletown’s Hamilton Street
December 16, 2009
Hapa Izakaya, arguably Vancouver’s hippest Japanese joint with locations on Robson and Yew, will soon be opening their third outlet in the city. Owners Justin and Lea Ault have picked up the old Shiru-Bay Chopstick Cafe spot at 1193 Hamilton Street, right next door to the Cactus Club in Yaletown, and hope to have it ready by next month (January) if all goes according to plan. (image courtesy of HapaIzakaya.com)
UPDATE: photos from the construction site…
ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS
Hapa Umi
October 5, 2008
Details
#101 – 909 West Cordova Street (Waterfront Centre Plaza) Vancouver, BC
Telphone: 604.420.4272
Website: www.hapaumi.com
Twitter: @HapaUmi
People
Owners: Justin & Lea Ault
Operations Manager: Kevin Banno
Manager: Mao Wright
Chef: Tomoki Yamasaki
Sous Chef: Benjamin Akira Berwick
Gallery
About Hapa Umi
Lea and Justin Ault, of Vancouver’s Hapa Restaurant Group, opened their new concept restaurant, Hapa Umi, in March 2011. Hapa Umi is located in Coal Harbour at 909 West Cordova Street. It is open for lunch weekdays, and dinner Monday to Saturday; Hapa Umi is closed Sundays.
Umi means ocean in Japanese; as such, the harbour side restaurant offers a sustainable seafood forward menu. There’s also a sushi bar, cocktail lounge, private dining room, and a patio in warmer months. It’s all accentuated by beautiful views, and genial, refined service.
The menu offers a wide range of exceptional Japanese and Japanese-inspired dishes including a large selection of Ocean WiseÔ sustainable sashimi and sushi favorites. Every dish begins with the best of British Columbia’s regional and seasonal ingredients, elevated by the finest contemporary Japanese and French cooking techniques. Entrees such as the Wild BC Miso Hollandaise Salmon, the shiso-crusted Peace Country Lamb, and the Kanpachi Shabu-Shabu appetizer exemplify this merger of local ingredients and contemporary direction, informed by traditional technique.
Leading the kitchen brigade is classically French trained chef, Tomoki Yamasaki, who has been with the Hapa restaurant group since 2007. Sous chef Benjamin Akira Berwick, formerly of Hapa Izakaya in Kitsilano, also brings with him a great blend of French and Japanese experience. Restaurant partner Lea Ault was also instrumental in the menu development at Hapa Umi.
Early standouts from the maiden menu include all Umi’s sushi and sashimi selections, the Fraser Valley Duck Tataki ($15) appetizer, sous-vide duck, sake, soy, red wine marinade, and dijon mustard; and Lobster Yuan Yaki ($36), a main course of soy-marinated lobster, bechamel gratin, and marinated baby bok choy. Umi’s Green Tea Opera Cake ($9.50) is a not-too-sweet finish with layers of green tea jaconde, matcha buttercream, and chocolate ganache.
Hapa Umi’s well-edited lunch menu promises the corporate crowd efficient elegance with superior sushi and sashimi selections and Umi’s Daily Bento Box ($19) which includes takikomi gohan, miso soup, and a selection of Umi specialties. Or guests may prefer to linger over Hapa’s Award-Winning Ocean Wise Chowder ($12), or Tofu Katsu Don ($11): panko-crusted tofu, assorted vegetables, and scallion ginger soy on rice.
Hapa Umi offers the city’s most comprehensive selection of premium sake and shochu (Japanese vodka), by the glass, bottle, or flight, offering guests the opportunity to experiment and experience the diversity of these spirits. Umi’s wine list spans 30 carefully selected bottles to compliment the menu, and there are several craft beers on offer.
Umi’s fresh, innovative cocktails are proving a real draw. The menu was created by Hapa Umi bar manager, Chris Ireland and Hapa beverage manager Lyoma “Leo” Higashio. Japanese ingredients invigorate classic cocktails, such as the Shiso Mojito ($9), a blend of rum and plum wine with citrus and Japanese Shiso leaf; plus the Ginger Kick ($11) is ideal for ginger lovers with fresh ginger, lavender honey, lemon and Russian Standard. Umi adds Yuzu to its gin and tonic ($7), and wasabi powder makes a powerful Caesar ($9).
At the front of the house, co-proprietor Justin Ault is joined by director of operations, Kevin Banno, formerly a general manager in the Cactus Club Café organization. Kevin has proved an invaluable team member during the Hapa restaurant group’s expansion. Mao Wright, recently of the Sequoia group’s Teahouse Restaurant, has also joined the Hapa Umi team and brings a wealth of fine dining experience. The beverage program is led by Chris Ireland, formerly of the Glowbal Group. Hapa Umi’s service is infused with personal touches, and a deep understanding of what’s on the plate and in the glass.
A sleek, elegantly modern room, Hapa Umi is outfitted with finely textured fabrics, luminous tiles, warm walnut finishes, and leather seating. Large windows with vibrant harbour views are a real departure from the sexy, insular design of the existing Hapa restaurants.
The 150 seat Hapa Umi spans a large bar, lounge, and private dining room, and in warmer month a 50 seat patio.
Please visit www.hapaumi.com for information or follow @HapaUmi on Twitter.
About Hapa Restaurants
When Lea and Justin Ault introduced Hapa in 2003 they exploded the izakaya concept in Vancouver. Hapa Izakaya’s combination of a sexy room, well-priced Japanese tapas, cocktails and premium sake set the bar high for the host of contenders that followed. There are now three Hapa Izakaya locations. Last year, Hapa was the first izakaya to join the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise™ seafood conservation program and is one of only a handful of Japanese restaurant partners in the program to-date. In March 2011, the Aults opened Hapa Umi in downtown’s Coal Harbour. The upscale Hapa Umi offers the next level of Japanese dining. Visit www.hapaizakaya.com or www.hapaumi.com for information or follow @HapaIzakaya and @HapaUmi on Twitter.
