Jay Jones, one of Canada’s most respected talents on the wood, is returning to fine dining after spending a year rebuilding the bar program for Donnelly Hospitality Management, the parent company of The Calling, Republic, Bar None, and a variety of other local nightclubs and style-forward pubs. Come early August (knock on wood), you’ll find him muddling and charming at Voya, the restaurant in the soon-to-open Loden Vancouver hotel.
Here he is in his own words, sent recently via email (edited for length):
I am extremely excited to be a part of Loden Vancouver. Along with my hand-chosen bar staff, we will strive to create an environment and bar program that will provide a unique and ambitious venue to the Vancouver hospitality landscape. We will embrace the “Golden Age” of cocktails and bartending, working with classic recipes of character, precise techniques and hand-crafted ingredients. Together with Voya Executive Chef Marc-Andre Choquette, we will employ locally sourced fruits, vegetables and herbs to mirror the changing seasons and tastes of Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest.
Huzzah. Really looking forward to this one.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I am looking forward to tasting their hand-wrestled salmon.
A great mixologist to be sure but he seems to jump ship every couple of months.
That’s a pretty uninformed comment. Jay is an incredibly loyal human being, personally and professionally. He did his work at DHM as long as was required (of him and by him); he supported friends as they opened Salt together – to great success; he did great work at Nu for its opening months and had a very, very long and storied tenure at West. To say he’s wont to ‘jump ship’ completely undermines the fantastic work he’s accomplished and success he’s achieved wherever he’s contributed his considerable talent and discipline.
I, for one, will be one of the first to sit at his new bar.
Just askin’, but thanks for the lowdown.
Hired Gun>>>>
Let’s recap;
West opens with Jay, West wins best new restaurant in Canada.
Nu opens with Jay, Nu wins best new restaurant in Canada.
Salt opens with Jay, Salt wins best new restaurant in Canada.
Any questions?
No offense, and I am a fan of Jay’s, but surely you’re not suggesting West, Nu and Salt won “best new restaurant” just because of Jay are you? I can think of a few other things West, Nu and Salt have to offer to back their well earned credentials.
No offense taken, what I’m saying is that in order for a restaurant to win such an award, it takes a group effort by some very talented people to leave a lasting impression right out of the gate. Jay’s expertise has been called upon on numerous occasions to to do just that; “get it right the 1st time”. With the combination of Marc Andre in kitchen and Jay’s influence in the bar program Voya could easily be a contender for Best New Restaurant.
I’ll express my bias, as Jay Jay is my best friend, and thus I’d be remiss not to congratulate him only on his past work, but what appears to be great success to come. I met James Iranzad a few years ago, and would be pleased to sit with him at Jay’s bar. Jay reeks of integrity, solicitude, and–to wit–is the best there is in his business. Much success to you, old friend.
I, for one, will volunteer that I’ve spent significantly less time and money at all 3 venues since Jay left. And I’ll definitely spend more at Voya with him there.