It's been several months of turmoil for Mott 32 in Vancouver. The upscale Chinese restaurant - a branch of the brand launched by Maximal Concepts in Hong Kong - shuttered in the summer of 2020 amidst the pandemic and the closure of the Trump Hotel downtown.
However, in recent weeks, there has been activity anew inside the opulent restaurant, which takes its name from the address of the first Chinese convenience store in New York City going back to 1891 and is known for its high-end renditions of traditional fare, including Peking duck and elegant dim sum.
The restaurant closed in March 2020, reopened on June 24 that same year, only to post a paper sign on Aug. 27 indicating Mott 32 Vancouver was "temporarily" closed, and that the closure was "not COVID-19 related."
The Trump International Hotel shuttered in early April 2020, along with several other Vancouver hotels, at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the city, but by late August word came that the hotel would be closed indefinitely, followed by the hotel operator filing for bankruptcy.
Diners at Mott 32 never had to use the Trump hotel doors to access the restaurant - a likely plus for some diners who felt squeamish about the connection - and with the hotel still closed (another brand is rumoured to be taking over in 2022) that point of access remains a plus for the resurrected restaurant. There was not then, and is not now, any affiliation between Mott 32 and the Trump brand.
Inside, based on photos shared on social media by those given access to preview tastings, Mott 32's high-style interiors remain unchanged, and indications have been made that there will be familiar dishes on the menu and faces among the staff.
The restaurant is in its final pre-opening testing phase, and an official opening date announcement is expected very soon.
Among those involved in the renewed Mott 32 are sommelier Robert Stelmachuk and Eric Yang, the latter who had gone on from Mott 32 some time ago to open the now-shuttered Blossom off Robson Street.
Currently, Mott 32's online presence has somewhat of a low profile; the old Instagram and Facebook accounts have not been updated since August 2020, and the website has no information about the Vancouver location. It is expected the public will be able to see the restaurant's refreshed social profiles and book reservations with ease once the parent company is ready to give the Vancouver franchise the green light to welcome guests officially.
We'll update with more info when it becomes available. Check out some photos shared by those who have already had a taste of the soon-to-relaunch Mott 32 Vancouver.
Mott 32 will be located at 1161 West Georgia St. in Vancouver
Editor's note: As an official opening has not been announced, this article has been amended to reflect Mott 32's current status as being in a pre-open phase. We will update again when that date is confirmed with restaurant representatives.
