Change is on the horizon for Nightshade, Yaletown's critically-acclaimed plant-based restaurant that has been open since the tail end of 2021.
Recognized as a value-for-your-money "Bib Gourmand" Vancouver restaurant by the Michelin Guide in its inaugural 2022 awards, Nightshade has been a steady favourite for dinner and brunch thanks to its menu of modern, Asian-inspired vegan dishes.
On Sept. 12, Nightshade shared on social media the restaurant was hitting pause for an unspecified duration to make a "transition" - about which the restaurant offered no details.
"Nightshade is going through a transition," begins the restaurant's announcement.
"As of this Sunday, September 17th, our Nightshade location will be closed to the public for a brief moment. We will be taking this time to make all the necessary adjustments as we navigate through this transition," continue operators.
Nightshade goes on to thank guests for their support over the past two years and encourages diners to come by one more time before the temporary closure.
The plant-based restaurant arrived in Yaletown courtesy of the Alberta-based group that runs veggie spots The Coup and The Dandelion in Calgary, and Nourish in Banff.
Heading up the menu has been Vancouver native Chanthy Yen, who rose to prominence in Montreal's culinary scene and previously served as a chef to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He has spent time at and away from Nightshade in the past two years but of late has once again been calling Vancouver home, and is rooted as the Executive Chef at Nightshade. Recently, his travels in New York inspired a special dinner held at the restaurant.
What is next for Nightshade: An update
Yen spoke with V.I.A. by phone Sept. 18 to confirm that Nightshade was now wrapped up at 1079 Mainland St, and is embarking on a mission to find a new, more intimate location. "It was a fantastic space," shared Yen, however, the hope is to find something with fewer seats (the Mainland space has 150) where the detailed dishes the plant-based restaurant was known for could be best executed.
Once re-opened, Yen said he will be involved in Nightshade in some capacity. If the Michelin Guide designation of Bib Gourmand is continued with the 2023 awards, which will be announced Oct. 5, that designation should carry over to the relocated restaurant, since it would be the same name and same concept, just at a new address.
In the meantime, the former Nightshade Mainland space seems poised to become a new dining destination with new operators, however, details about that concept have not been revealed or confirmed.
An Instagram page and website for a restaurant called Dovetail are live, and the latter indicates 1079 Mainland St as its address. The Instagram bio notes Dovetail will offer: "California inspired share plates, cocktails & vibes."
V.I.A. has connected with Dovetail by email and is awaiting further information from the business as plans are sorted out.
