It was one of the most exciting restaurant openings in Vancouver in 2021, but just months later, Nancy Go Yaya is saying farewell.
The Singaporean "eating house" situated in Chinatown got off the ground last fall, after a long lead-up filled with much anticipation.
Nancy Go Yaya's progress was held up for some time due to the pandemic, and while last spring the opening seemed imminent for the sibling spot to the city's wildly popular Bao Bei and Kissa Tanto, it would be a few more months until the restaurant was able to welcome its first patrons.
Last Friday (June 3), Nancy Go Yaya revealed, as they put it, "Nancy Go Bye Bye."
"We have loved bringing a little Singaporean flavour to Chinatown, but as a result of circumstances – opening during a pandemic, taking on take out and changing concept midstream, struggling with short staffing – we couldn’t quite capture the vibe we were after," explains the restaurant, adding: "Turns out maybe Nancy was just a little too yaya after all!"
The closure, however, is not going to be swift, but rather gradual. Over the weekend, Nancy Go Yaya offered its final brunch service but will continue to operate through July 3.
During those last evenings, Nancy Go Yaya will "be slinging Singaporean inspired tropical cocktails and sharing small plates of meaty delights while we reminisce over the good times we’ve had together and conspire about what’s to come."
The dinner menu at Nancy Go Yaya features dishes like laksa-marinated chicken wings, satay skewers, and whole fish curry, and is offered Thursday to Sunday from 5:30 p.m. (Brunch was when you could tuck into steaming bowls of laksa with plates of kaya toast or Roti John - an omelette sandwich.)
The owners are also not walking away from the space at 265 E Pender St. They're hoping fans can help them decide the next steps for things like parties and pop-ups.
"Nancy will always hold a special place in our hearts," adds the restaurant.
