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“The Settlement” In Railtown Set For Postmark Brewing & Belgard Kitchen

  • The exterior of The Settlement | 55 Dunlevy
    The exterior of The Settlement | 55 Dunlevy
  • Postmark Managing Director Nate Raylent and Settlement CEO Mike Macquiston on the bar | The Settlement
    Postmark Managing Director Nate Raylent and Settlement CEO Mike Macquiston on the bar | The Settlement
  • The crew hanging out at the bar | The Settlement
    The crew hanging out at the bar | The Settlement
  • The crew hanging out at the bar | The Settlement
    The crew hanging out at the bar | The Settlement
  • Belgard Kitchen sous chef Mark Reder, executive chef Reuben Major, chef de cuisine Jason Masuch
    Belgard Kitchen sous chef Mark Reder, executive chef Reuben Major, chef de cuisine Jason Masuch
  • Taps lined up at the bar | The Settlement
    Taps lined up at the bar | The Settlement
  • Postmark Brewing taking over square footage from FreshTAP
    Postmark Brewing taking over square footage from FreshTAP
  • New refrigeration/storage section being added for Postmark Brewing
    New refrigeration/storage section being added for Postmark Brewing
  • Postmark Brewing contruction | The Settlement
    Postmark Brewing contruction | The Settlement
  • Postmark Brewing contruction | The Settlement
    Postmark Brewing contruction | The Settlement
  • Postmark Brewing contruction | The Settlement
    Postmark Brewing contruction | The Settlement
  • Construction (nice hood) of Belgard Kitchen
    Construction (nice hood) of Belgard Kitchen
  • Construction of Belgard Kitchen | The Settlement
    Construction of Belgard Kitchen | The Settlement
  • Chef Reuben Major in the corner booth set up of Belgard Kitchen | The Settlement
    Chef Reuben Major in the corner booth set up of Belgard Kitchen | The Settlement
  • Belgard Kitchen booth detail | The Settlement
    Belgard Kitchen booth detail | The Settlement
  • The lovely benefits of having a lounge license! | The Settlement
    The lovely benefits of having a lounge license! | The Settlement
  • Chef Reuben Major in the corner booth set up of Belgard Kitchen | The Settlement
    Chef Reuben Major in the corner booth set up of Belgard Kitchen | The Settlement
  • These low tables will be switched out with high tops come opening day in mid-April
    These low tables will be switched out with high tops come opening day in mid-April
  • The Settlement retail detail
    The Settlement retail detail
  • Up in the loft | The Settlement
    Up in the loft | The Settlement
  • The view from the loft | The Settlement
    The view from the loft | The Settlement
  • The view from the loft | The Settlement
    The view from the loft | The Settlement

 55 Dunlevy St. has seen a lot since the Vancouver Urban Winery took it over a couple of years ago. The old railtown address, all 7,700 sqft of it, is home to not only VUW – with its own Roaring Twenties Wine label, retail shop, and 36 tap wine lounge open to the public – but also FreshTAP, the company that brings BC wine to Vancouver’s forward-thinking restaurants serving the stuff on tap. It can be a little confusing with so much going on under one roof, so they’ve gone ahead and rebranded the whole building, sort of as an umbrella moniker. As of this afternoon, it’s called The Settlement Building. The rebrand is just as well, as the place will soon shelter two new companies.

The first of these is a 65 seat eatery called Belgard Kitchen. It’ll offer day/night service, low and cozy hideaway booths, and bar height tables. Overseeing the food program is 19 year Earls veteran, Reuben Major. Together with chef de cuisine Jason Masuch (ex-Brix) and sous chef Mark Reder (ex-Fish Shack), Major plans on serving shareable small plates in the evening (eg. Swiss cheese fondue, bacon mushroom pate) and a larger lunch program that will see sandwiches, chile, soups, salads, slaws, a house special ramen, and a daily crockpot. I looked in on construction yesterday and they were just about to start installing the bulk of their kitchen equipment.

IMG_9714

What’s in a name? I had to consult a 20 volume version of the OED to find the answer. It turns out that a belgard came to English (the poets, natch) from the Italian in the 16th century or so, and it means “a kind and loving look.” “The team felt the meaning captured what they’re all about and what guests through the doors can expect,” The Settlement’s PR person, Kate MacDougall, explained. “It’s their everyday disposition – made easier, I’m sure, surrounded by wine – and their service style.”

Opening Day for Belgard Kitchen is set for the middle of April.

The second new company in The Settlement Building is a microbrewery called Postmark Brewing. It’s being led by managing director Nate Rayment, formerly of Howe Sound Brewing, while the “brew chief” is none other than polymath Craig Noble, who made the engrossing 2007 Tableland documentary (also the brother of JoieFarm‘s Heidi Noble).

Postmark will produce four sessionable beers that will be available for growler purchase/refill, on tap (one presumes) 20 feet away at Belgard Kitchen, and in local beer-loving restaurants around town. If all goes according to plan, we’ll be drinking their first beers in June.

The one catch to it all is that FreshTAP is moving out to make room for Postmark, which matters not to the public because it never provided any on-site services to the end consumer. In the grand scheme of things, however, it’s worth noting that the little company with the big idea of selling local wine in steel kegs to local eateries has already outgrown its nursery (slow clap all around). They’re looking at options for a new and scaleable space as we speak. Good luck, and well done indeed.

There are 3 comments

  1. Looks fantastic. Looking forward to the lunch service. Hope they remember that vegetarians love stews and chilis as well!! Mmmm, thick stew and a Russian Stout!

  2. If this is a new and improved version of what was already a great venue I cannot wait to see it.

  3. Will Vancouver Urban Winery still continue with its tasting room and Sunday School?

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