We first reported whisperings of this back in April, but couldn’t confirm. I just got off the phone with Shangri-La and we can now break the news. It’s a done deal. When the new hotel opens on Alberni in January, it will house “Market”, the first Canadian restaurant by superstar chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
And here’s the press release (truncated for brevity), going out to media tonight/tomorrow.
CHEF JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN TO OPERATE RESTAURANT AT SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, VANCOUVER
Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver will debut MARKET by Jean-Georges when it opens January 24, 2009. The restaurant is the first collaboration between Culinary Concepts – the global restaurant development company of Jean-Georges Vongerichten and longtime business partner Phil Suarez – and Shangri-La. It also marks the internationally acclaimed chef and entrepreneur’s first foray into Canada and on the West Coast.
Jean-Georges will adapt his popular ‘modern’ style – a reflection of his classic French training, his 10 years in Asia, and the Culinary Concepts’ philosophy of ‘global in reach, local in content’ – to tailor the Vancouver version of MARKET by Jean-Georges. His signature ‘vibrant cuisine’ abandons the traditional use of meat stocks, instead featuring intense flavors and textures resulting from the use of vegetable juices and fruit essences, light broths and herbal vinaigrettes. Jean-Georges’ culinary vision and execution have not only redefined industry standards but have also revolutionized the way in which diners eat.
“This is a tremendous collaboration of like-minded luxury brands that simply want to put the very best in food, wine and service in front of their guests,” said Stephen Darling, regional vice president and general manager, Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver. “British Columbia’s exceptional farm products, seafood and wines will garner further international exposure in the hands of one of the world’s great chefs.”
“Vancouver is a global dining destination,” said Jean-Georges. “It is a city rich in culinary influences and young talent. I am eager and excited to have the opportunity to use the wealth of produce and products, especially the fish, available in the Vancouver area.”
“Shangri-La is a brilliant hotel chain that we are happy to be associated with. We feel it’s a perfect marriage of two terrific brands in the hospitality world. There is great compatibility between our two brands.” said Phil Suarez.
MARKET by Jean-Georges will serve lunch and dinner and have four distinct areas: the dining room with seating for 84, including two private dining rooms, one with a table for eight and 12; the more casual bistro accommodating 36; the 60-seat outdoor terrace, which will be open spring through fall; and the bar with ‘musical chair’ seating for 29.
Culinary Concepts and Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver will work together to assemble a team of culinary talent that will include members of the Culinary Concepts’ brigade, Shangri-La specialists and a strong contingent of locally hired restaurant professionals.
“Our venture with Jean-Georges and Culinary Concepts adds another layer of excitement to a city that is winning culinary kudos from around the world,” said Darling. “The Jean-Georges brand attracts top, young culinarians looking for the opportunity to learn, push the envelope and develop their own style, which we intend to showcase.”
The addition of MARKET by Jean-Georges heightens the anticipation for the January opening of the Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver, the first North American hotel for the Asian-based luxury group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. The 119-room hotel, set in the downtown core, will occupy the first 15 floors of a 61-storey multi-purpose complex, incorporating innovative residential living, high-end retail shopping, creative restaurants and an outside public art space.
Culinary Concepts is a global restaurant development company created by internationally acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and long time business partner Phil Suarez. Launched in 2006, Culinary Concepts has already opened restaurants in Atlanta and Istanbul, Turkey. New locations are forthcoming in places as diverse as Doha, Scottsdale, Arizona and Mexico City. Culinary Concepts leverages their creative and operational acumen to create new fine dining concepts in major international cities as well as in partnership with high-end hotel and resort properties. Culinary Concepts is supported by a fully integrated organization capable of supporting or fulfilling concept development, operations and management needs. Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges currently has 10 brands/concepts such as Spice Market, Market by Jean-Georges, J & G Steakhouse with additional concepts currently in development. Culinary Concepts ambition is global but the content will be localized. A significant portion of each menu will contain locally inspired cuisines and seasoning will be endemic to regional palettes.
- END (truncated)
Read more: MARKET by Jean Georges is Now Open
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I noticed that you were not showing up on Exploder, I thought since the IT guy was in perhaps it was being blocked, working just fine on Chrome.
very exciting time for Vancouver
Rick said it perfectly…A fantastic addition to Vancouver, we are in for a treat
Daniel and Jean-Georges who would have thought?
The question is now who will come out on top?
Great for the city,Congrats to all the chefs here that have made this a destination for these guys to come to. Without all of your hard work and continued efforts these guys would have never come,well done.
Sounds exciting. Although Jean George operations sound dangerously close to being as unfocused as a CFD restaurant. Hopefully I will be proven wrong.
Yes, it is very exciting news for Vancouverities.
There are still more world famous chefs who have not opened restaurant here yet. Name few, Alain Ducasse, Eric Ripert, Nobu Matsuhisa, Susur Lee, Heston Blumenthal and list goes on and on.
I heard it’s open, what’s the word?
The Shangri -La Hotel and MARKET opened on Saturday, January 24th.
Had dinner there on Jan 24. Reasonable pricing menu items. And if i am not mistaken, i saw Andrew Morrison there.
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