I took a look inside the construction site of Juniper at 185 Keefer St. yesterday. You might remember co-owners Miranda Hudson and Reggie Tanzola back in February, back when they were hoping for a July opening. Circumstances beyond their control have since slowed the build process considerably, and opening day for the two-level 100 seater in Chinatown is now being pushed back to October.

On the brighter side, they’ve made a couple of great hires. Running the show will be industry veteran Sarah Macauley, lately of The Wedgewood Hotel but best known for her long management/sommelier tenure at Top Table. Overseeing the bar program will be Shaun Layton, the award-winning barman who elevated Gastown’s game at L’Abattoir from opening day five years ago all the way to his (amicable) departure a few months ago. Regular readers will also know him as a prolific Scout columnist.

Considering Sarah’s love of small, PNW wine producers and Shaun’s obsession with gin (and every aspect of craft cocktail culture, really), the two hires pair snugly with Juniper’s brand and concept, which – as I’ve written previously – is all about simply expressed, small batch, maker-connected, farm-to-table Pacific Northwest ingredients done up deliciously and with respect.

The bar is already set pretty high hereabouts (no pun intended) with The Keefer and Bao Bei on the same block, so would it be fair of us – given these hires – to expect something of at least equal excellence? I should think so.

As we wait for their Fall opening, follow @eatatjuniper on Twitter.

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