The prolific Viaggio Hospitality Group (see also Cibo, Uva, Moda, etc) picked up the old Raincity Grill location in late November of last year and are on the verge of opening a new, approachable, West Coast-themed restaurant in its place. It will be called Beach Bay Cafe & Patio.

I toured the 2,200 sqft space a couple of weeks ago. It had quietly undergone an overhaul that had left the space much brighter than I had last seen it (). I imagine they’re nearly finished now. When it’s ready, the Beach Bay Cafe will seat 60 inside with 6 at a new bar overseen by sommelier/barman Adrian Lindner, who comes to us from Adelaide by way of the Chateau Lake Louise Fairmont. Another 35 people will fit on the ocean-breezy patio (serial diners will recall that this space is right next to English Bay).

Viaggio has an excellent track record in giving executive opportunities to rising stars, and true to form they’ve done it again with Scott Korzack, who was sous chef to Lee Cooper at L’Abattoir before ascending to the top role at nearby Bambudda last year. He joins a canon of great names have worked at this address in the past, among them Nicolas Hipperson (Farm2Fork), Andrea Carlson (Burdock & Co.), Robert Clark (The Fish Counter), and Sean Cousins (The Vancouver Club) — hardly slip-on shoes to fill!

The front of house will be no slouch either with Luc Trottier in as Restaurant Director. He was previously the GM of Quattro in Whistler for 13 years. Also on board as General Manager is Andrea Vescovi, who many will recognise as the former Manager and Wine Director at Yaletown’s legendary Blue Water Cafe — a very hospitable guy.

Opening day is still a couple of weeks away, but you can take a look at how things have been coming along below…

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