Sweet-Looking Italian “Pronto” Opening Soon At 3473 Cambie St.
May 16, 2011
by Andrew Morrison | A new Italian eatery called Pronto is opening next week at 3473 Cambie (formerly Art’s Flowers & Gifts). The design of the charming, 37 seat room is by Stefan Gagnon (Les Faux Bourgeois, Jules Bistro) and Scott Cohen (Gastropod, Les Faux Bourgeois, The Waldorf). They’ve really done a lovely period number on it. The interior look and exterior branding (in Futura font) gives it the feel of a cool, modern restaurant in the East Village, circa 1950. I half expected Al Pacino to slink in and make a b-line for the revolver behind the toilet when I stumbled upon it a few days back (without time or a good camera).
Owner Angela Maida (an Italian) is borrowing the food concept from the intoxicatingly aromatic Porchetta on East 7th St., specifically by copying their namesake porchetta sandwiches to the letter. The menu is brief and done in changeable white letters on a slatted blackboard, similar to what you’d come across in an old diner (see Cafeteria on Main). From what I was told, chef Brian Fodor (ex-Pinnacle Hotel, Zin, Dockside) will be keeping it very simple: mostly soups and sandwiches with a few specials and sides. For booze, it’s beer and wine only.
A note on the name: when we employ “pronto” as a colloquialism, as in “get it done, pronto”, we are saying “get it done, fast”. In Italian, however, it means “prepared” or “ready”, as in “È pronto per ordinare?”, or “are you ready to order?”
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The First Look At Hawksworth Inside The New Hotel Georgia
May 9, 2011
by Andrew Morrison | So I was given a tour of the most highly anticipated restaurant in recent memory the other day. Yup, the three year wait for the return of David Hawksworth’s food is finally coming to an end. The place was buzzing with saws, banging with hammers and generally giving the clear impression of its happy imminence. Hawksworth in the as yet unfinished restoration of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia should open shortly. It’s a week out at the earliest. Read more
DINER: “Campagnolo Roma” Nears End Of Construction With Aim To Open Next Week
May 6, 2011
by Andrew Morrison | I spent some of the morning taking a look at the almost-finished Campagnolo Roma restaurant. If all goes according to plan, they aim to be open at some point next week. We broke the news of its coming back in March:
Tom Doughty and chef Rob Belcham of Refuel and Campagnolo took possession of 2297 East Hastings this afternoon. The pair aim to open a new restaurant in its place called Campagnolo Roma. It will be based on the original Campagnolo concept and brand, only the fare will be more regionally specific to the Eternal City of Rome (expect a battery of flatbreads, real deal Amatricianas and Carbonaras, et cetera). The 35 seat space (plus another 8 on the patio) will replace the now defunct Caribbean Hot Pizza Express (no loss there) and is directly opposite Red Wagon. It will go under the reno knife immediately, and will open in May at the earliest. Ted Anderson (currently at Refuel) will be the opening chef.
Take a look at the menu here and here and the shots below. Lovely wooden paneling reminiscent of the original Campagnolo on Main, plus the green of Refuel. They also picked up the two cushy banquettes from DB Bistro and the sweet leather chairs from Lumiere. Looking good!
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DINER: “The Ascot” Nearing Official Opening In The Old Cassis Bistro Location On Pender
May 5, 2011
by Andrew Morrison | I just took a spin inside the old Cassis spot at 420 West Pender. I’d taken previous peeks but there wasn’t much to look at, but now…wow…they’re pretty much done. As you can see from the photos below, they’ve maintained (and enhanced) plenty of the original character, and the back patio (10 seats) is looking better than I remember it (it always was one of Vancouver’s most undersung outdoor gems). They’ve been open for a few dry runs already with friends and family (still waiting on a POS system), and aim to be open for real as early as this weekend, sporting a liquor license until 2am and comforting soul food. Originally, owners Stu Morton and John Wirth had thought of calling it The Pender, but have decided on The Ascot instead (a nicer ring to it, methinks). Break a leg, fellows.
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“Nelson The Seagull” Gets Set To Open On Carrall In Gastown
May 5, 2011
by Andrew Morrison | Until today, when I opened the door and walked into the construction site, I’d assumed it was a clothing store landing at 315 Carrall (the old Brickyard location). Imagine my surprise when I learned that Nelson The Seagull was going to be a bakery and cafe from a triumvirate of young South Africans (one of whom went to my alma mater, the lovely University of Cape Town). Jodie Balfour and siblings Jonathan and Lee seem genuinely super keen to do something a little different from everyone else and on making the neighbourhood just a little bit better, one coffee and ciabatta loaf at a time. Read more
DINER: Chef Dale Mackay’s “Ensemble” To Officially Open On Tuesday At 850 Thurlow
May 4, 2011
by Andrew Morrison | I took a look inside the soon-to-open Ensemble this afternoon. They were up to their eyeballs in menu fiddling and construction, but the highly anticipated restaurant from former Lumiere chef and current Top Chef Canada competitor Dale Mackay appears to be coming together nicely. They plan to softly open this weekend with the first ever reservations being accepted for Tuesday. Read more about the restaurant here and here. I’ve added a few new photos below, none of which give the whole place away. Break a leg, fellas!
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DINER: A Sneak Peek Inside “Pink Elephant”, New Thai Joint Destined For Alberni Strip…
April 21, 2011
I took a gander inside the upcoming Pink Elephant restaurant at 1152 Alberni yesterday. Even if you’re not entirely sure about the hot pink and light grey colour palette, it’s nevertheless impressive what they’ve done with their allotted 2,800 square feet, especially considering the address used to be the entrance to an underground parkade (for serious).
So what do we know about it? It’s an 88 seater and the newest province in the Chen Empire, aka Thai House Restaurant Group (see also Urban Thai, Charm, Samba, etc). Split on two levels with the kitchen and an approximation of a chef’s table filling the mezzanine, it’s a voluminous box sound-softened with faux concrete linoleum floors. A communal table runs down the center of the main floor and is flanked by an 8 seat bar backed with flat screen and a series of deuce booths complete with stainless steel foot rests. The straight-lined look comes courtesy of restaurant first-timers Horizon, and as you can see their aesthetes have really tucked the garish brand’s shirt in (this place is freakin’ pink).
As for the food, the plan is tapas-style Thai street chow priced in the $5 to $15 range with nothing over $20 (menu 1, 2). The chef is Parichat Poomkajorn stable poached from cousin Thai House on Robson. Expect opening day before the end of the May.
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DINER: Tom Doughty And Robert Belcham To Open “Campagnolo Roma” On East Hastings
March 31, 2011
Tom Doughty and chef Rob Belcham of Refuel and Campagnolo took possession of 2297 East Hastings this afternoon. The pair aim to open a new restaurant in its place called Campagnolo Roma. It will be based on the original Campagnolo concept and brand, only the fare will be more regionally specific to the Eternal City of Rome (expect a battery of flatbreads, real deal Amatricianas and Carbonaras, et cetera). The 35 seat space (plus another 8 on the patio) will replace the now defunct Caribbean Hot Pizza Express (no loss there) and is directly opposite Red Wagon. It will go under the reno knife immediately, and will open in May at the earliest. Ted Anderson (currently at Refuel) will be the opening chef.
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Chinatown’s Award-Winning “Bao Bei” Seeking Experienced Cook
January 19, 2011
Bai Bei Chinese Brasserie is located at 163 Keefer St. in Vancouver, BC | 604-688-0876 | www.bao-bei.ca
Job posting from Scout supporter Bao Bei
Vancouver, BC | Bao Bei is looking for an organised, hard working cook to run the garde manger station full-time at our busy, award-winning modern Chinese restaurant. 5 years cooking experience desired (Chinese food knowledge a plus but not necessary). Must also be adept on saute section. Committed professionals without attitude need only apply to joelwatanabe2000 [at] yahoo [dot ca]. Find out more about the restaurant after the jump… 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
