Chef Brian Fowke has gone back to basics with his latest restaurant called Kitsilano Daily Kitchen (or just “Daily” for short). Located in the former MonBella space at 1809 West 1st Avenue, the troubled restaurant he futiley tried to save, the new stripped down concept has recently emerged after a short six month stint inside the restaurant make-over chamber, not with a flashy new look, but one more simplified, clean and with a sharp focus on the fundamentals of what makes a great dining experience.
At Daily, Brian has made it an intimate family affair.
“I will be purchasing, prepping and cooking every dish DAILY. No Sous chef, no line cook or pastry cook – I will be preparing a dining experience for 30 people each night. My wife and two of my favourite servers will be hosting the tables. The food will be supported with a Daily wine list of 12 – 20 labels that support the food…the menu is very personal, passion driven and I plan to have fun,” he explains.
“The food is fine, but the room is not fine dining, rather comfortable and simple elegance. Quintessential West Coast Cuisine. The same can be said for the service – details are important, but never stuffy or unapproachable.”
“I might be 6 – 12 months ahead of the economy, but I cannot open a ‘recession driven’ restaurant. My food, service and wine are all leading edge and top quality with strong traditional roots – I will never discount the experience or the quality and will always stand behind my pricing. I can pass on great value in the fine food segment, while still delivering a room that is fun and lively,” says Fowke.
Well, okay then Chef. If the plan is to make the food fresh “daily” and the service consistently kick-ass, then I am sold on the concept. And if my steak is overdone, there is only one person to blame. I like that.
Kitsilano Daily Kitchen
1809 West 1st Avenue | Vancouver
(604) 569-2741
www.kitsdaily.com
If you would like to receive a Daily menu update, email brian@cheffowke.com to join the Daily mailing list. Each day the menu will be emailed to you at 4pm.
~ PK
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting Concept.
I think what is interesting about the concept is how basic it is….
…a chef purchasing, prepping and cooking all the food for his guests.
Isn’t that the way it was suppose to be?
Plus most Chefs’ prepare 3 – 4 specials a day. I just don’t bother to prepare the al a carte. Keeps me excited and the adrenaline flowing – it is a black box every day.
Come hang out in the kitchen with me – everyone is welcome.
wow! that sound’s amazing! I believe that you are starting a new trend…maybe more people will follow in your footsteps! As an aspiring chef myself, I sure love that concept! Will be looking into visiting sometime soon!
We went to ‘the Daily’ last night on a recommendation someone had just made minutes earlier at an event – we were passing that area on the way home so thought we’d try it. It came highly recommended and still I was surprised at how good the food was! Really beautiful flavours, simple and very well done.
I think what made it such an easy pleasure was the service – polite, genuine, intelligent servers who know how to help you around the menu and wine list and ensure you enjoy your meal and how to leave you to it.
1 shared starter
2 mains
1 shared dessert
2 glasses of wine
2 coffee
$98 (plus %20 tip)
Very good value.
Well go back.