Selene Aegean Bistro, named after the Greek goddess of the moon, is set to softly open in East Vancouver this week.

The understated art deco facade of Selene’s exterior reveals little of what lies beyond the doors of 360 Penticton Street. Inside, the space unfolds into a high-ceilinged room that feels both airy and grounded, reminiscent of a Mediterranean terrace.

Designed by Emma Sims and Darcy Hanna, of &Daughters, the finished interior lives up to its pre-construction description of “elemental, pared-back, earthy, and light.” An olive tree rises from a perch at the centre of the room, contrasting against the sheen of the polished concrete floor, marble table tops and bright whitewashed walls. A warm glow filters through overhead lights, shaded by woven, basket-like fixtures. Aegean-blue touches on the menus evoke the coastline and moonlit skies. In good weather, the west-facing windows will capture the late afternoon sun, casting a golden light across the 53-seat room. All that’s missing is the scent of sea salt and the heat of sunbaked stone — but with a bit of imagination (and a cocktail or two), those can also be conjured.

Of course, taste is another powerful tool for a transportive experience, which is where the food comes in. Crafted by chefs Adrian Nate and Arish Dastoor, the menu at Selene is a playful expression of Aegean-inspired flavours: Souvlaki becomes mushroom souvlaki with tarragon and pickles; hummus arrives with soujouk keema and pine nuts; and babaganoush is elevated with maple tahini and baharat chili crunch. The Greek salad (a standout dish for me) features both fresh and honey-marinated cherry tomatoes, adding a new dimension to the classic dish. Other highlights include wild salmon crudo cured with fig and fennel; fish served whole; and oysters served with tsipouro mignonette.

Familiar flavours utilized in unexpected ways is an approach that carries over to Selene’s cocktail menu. During a recent visit, our table sampled the Symposiarch (white rum, malagouzia, pomegranate, tarragon, lime), Yasas (a beautiful pre-batch of mastiha, pisco, umeshu, Greek mountain tea), and Éelpis & Moros (cognac, ouzo, “cola,” amaro blend, finished with Pandora’s smoke). Each drink created by bartender Dylan Zrobek (Ama Raw Bar) reflected the same creativity and thoughtful ingredient pairing as the food. Also of note: the wine list stays on theme with bottles from the region, alongside a custom Mediterranean pilsner (with hints of lemon and herbs) in partnership with the folks at Slow Hand Beer Company.

Selene marks the third project by co-owners Petro and Yianni Kerasiotis (the duo behind Ama Raw Bar and Nammos Estiatorio). “Our vision is to create a unique, elevated dining experience for this city,” says Yianni. “Selene will be Greek cuisine with an exciting blend of culinary influences from all across the Aegean coast.”

And the projects keep a-coming! Stay tuned for news on Imera, a 200sqft bakery and coffee shop offering traditional Greek breads, spanakopita, and grab-and-go sweets, which is slated to open in the adjacent space (facing Hastings Street) in 2025.

Selene Aegean Bistro opens doors softly this week (Thursday, October 17th).
Regular hours will be 7 days per week, from 5-10:30pm. DETAILS

Selene Aegean Bistro

Neighbourhood: Hastings Sunrise

360 Penticton St.

604-336-4539

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