Its name may be June, but April is when one of the most anticipated new Vancouver restaurants will finally open its doors.
Located in Cambie Village in the former Biercraft space, June is a bi-level French-inspired brasserie from the team behind Vancouver's award-winning Keefer Bar.
The 4,500-square-foot space features seats for 100 in the upstairs dining room, with 35 more seats downstairs in the bar area coming soon, along with three planned patios.
'We want people to settle in, stay a while'
"June is our vision of a neighbourhood brasserie that offers both warm hospitality and a truly immersive experience, from dinner to late night,” said co-proprietors Cam Watt and Keenan Hood in a media release issued April 3. “The team has done an exceptional job with the food and drinks menu, and we can’t wait to open our doors, starting with our dining room, and later, our cocktail bar. We want people to settle in, stay a while, and enjoy great company in a space unlike any other in Vancouver thus far.”
Those "relax and hang out vibes" are echoed in the menu, with a definitive note of elegance. In the role of head chef for June is Connor Sperling.
Sperling, who left his Chef de Cuisine post at Michelin-starred Published on Main at the start of the year, was the 2017 Hawksworth Young Chef competition winner. In the national culinary showdown, Sperling represented Vancouver and Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar.
What's on the food menu at June?
For June, Sperling has created a menu of French-inspired West Coast dishes, with dinner options like French ravioli; Beef Tartare with Calvados and potato chips; Steak Frites; and Halibut with spring vegetables.
Guests will also find special, and playful, menu items for Happy Hour and during late night service, including the "June Dog" and "Mini Hammies."
For dessert, Sperling said: "We’ll definitely have some nostalgic sweets like banana soft serve and chocolate Madeleines.”
“With our dinner menu, it was important for us to curate an experience that isn’t too fussy, but still elevated and special,” said Sperling.
Cocktail program has French, Japanese touches
Given The Keefer Bar's pedigree, the cocktail program at June will surely be top notch. To that end, June credits bar director Amber Bruce, bar manager Satoshi Yonemori (previously Grapes & Soda), and head bartender Riley Maggs, as the collective designers of the brasserie's drinks menu.
Signature drinks will reflect a distinct French and Japanese influence, with creations like the Genmaicha Clover Club (Beefeater gin, grappa, lemon, raspberry, horseradish, honey, egg white), Sunflower Mauresque (Pernod, fino, tarragon, sunflower orgeat, lemon, milk, soda), and Blue Fizz (Absolut vodka, lime, calpico, blue banana, egg soda).
There will, of course, be classics, like the June Martini and the Burnt Gibson.
“When Satoshi, Riley, and I started working on the cocktail menu, our goal was to create drinks that would capture the essence of recognizable classics, as well as options that are entirely unexpected and playful,” said Bruce.
Interiors by same designer as acclaimed Cabo resort property
For the interiors, those who have had the good fortune to have visited Watt's Acre in Mexico's San José del Cabo may find June has a familiar feel, as it deployed the same designer, Mexico City-based architect Héctor Esrawe. June boasts a wooden ceiling, copper elements, and green ceramic tiles flowing through the bar-restaurant space.
“June is truly a labour of love, a dream realized by all of us who’ve poured our hearts into it," said general manager Leticia Castro said.
Reservations for June at 3305 Cambie St are now open, with opening day set for April 10, though there will be some "soft open" days before. To start, June will be open daily from 5 p.m. until late. The downstairs portion will open at a later date.
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