Two new modern Asian-inspired additions are on their way to Chinatown in the next couple of months and both of them look very promising. Building upon an under-served trend set in motion back in 2001 by early neighborhood pioneer, Wild Rice, the soon to be open Bao Bei and The Keefer Bar are both also embracing some of their Far Eastern roots with a well tempered Western sensibility that expresses itself in the modern decor, quality bar programs and European influenced kitchens.
Chambar alumni and accomplished bar veteran Tannis Ling is getting set to open her 50 seat Chinese brasserie “Bao Bei” (‘precious’ in Chinese) by the end of December 2009.
She describes the food primary restaurant as an “intimate, unpretentious room serving simple, traditional and quality dishes.”
Ling will be overseeing the bar program and talented chef, Joel Watanabe, (formerly of La Brasserie, Bin 942, and Araxi) heads up the team in the kitchen, which will offer an array of “Shanghai-nese” style dishes. Former Chambar colleague and previous GM of Market at Shangri-La, Paul Grunberg, has also joined the opening management team.
Bao Bei
163 Keefer Street | Vancouver
604-688-0876
info@bao-bei.ca
www.bao-bei.ca
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The Keefer Bar will anchor the ground floor of a luxury “boutique residence” in Chinatown (135 Keefer Street) containing 4 enormous custom designed, fully furnished and serviced rental lofts. The bar will be overseen by the talented and innovative Danielle Tatarin (formerly db Bistro). The kitchen plans to serve an eclectic mix of modern Asian cuisine, think top-quality dim sum with a European twist.
The liquor primary space will have approximately 60 seats with a 14 seat patio and is slated to open on Chinese New Year (February 14th, 2010) with a possible soft opening in mid January. ~ PK
The Keefer Bar
135 Keefer Street | Vancouver
1-888-688-1983
www.thekeefer.com
~ PK
