The Vancouver dining scene is just about to get another notch more interesting this spring and diners are the big-time winners here. This news is just awesome from all angles. First, the legendary Parkside goes in for a Sexy Italian Makeover to be re-opened on April 1st as “L’Altro Buca“, now the award-winning Gastropod is about to transmute into a refined but affordable Thai restaurant to be named, “Maenam.”
Maenam means river or “mother water” and is also a coastal village on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand, known for its white sand beaches and emerald and sapphire coloured waters, not to mention some very delicious and flavourful food.
Chef Angus An, his wife, and business partners have been wanting to open a Thai restaurant in Vancouver for the last couple years, but could not find the appropriate time and space. Now, with the downturn in the economy, they have decided to move the Gastropod concept into catering and private dining and launch their Thai restaurant in its place with future plans to re-open the fine dining Gastropod in another location during a more appropriate time.
A refined Thai restaurant on 4th Avenue is simply a brilliant entry into an under served market on one of the hottest restaurant streets in Vancouver. Angus An worked with renowned chef, David Thompson, at the only Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in the world, Nahm in the Halkin Hotel in London. Several months ago, Chef An invited Urban Diner Forum members to join a staff meal where he cooked a Thai elk curry that was sublime and immediately had me asking when he was going to open a Thai restaurant.
Gastropod will continue to operate until the end of April and Maenam will launch approximately 2 weeks later. We look forward to it! ~ PK
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Sad to see Gastropod go but this new venture sounds great. All the best to the FOH and BOH on the new venture.
Damn didn’t even get a chance to eat at gastropod, but sounds like a smart business move at these times
weston, you have just about all of april to dine at gastropod. the transformation won’t occur until may.
Ya still have a month to check it out ;)