UBC's growing retail and culture scene is expanding with the addition of an exciting new restaurant concept.
Wildlight Kitchen + Bar is set to open Feb. 2 at the University Boulevard development leləm̓ and is the first restaurant for B.C.-based Pattison Food Group (as in Jim Pattison and Save-On Foods).
In the kitchen is local chef Warren Chow, who is best known for his time at The Pear Tree and Juniper, as well as Bacchus, where he was just ahead of the pandemic. Since then, Chow has been working with a private chef business, but now returns to the restaurant world.
Chow is behind Wildlight's menu showcasing sustainable regional and seasonal ingredients, including some that will be sourced as locally as the UBC Farm (that's really close!).
On the menu at the West Point Grey restaurant will be dishes like a seafood charcuterie board, a loaded dry-aged and grass-fed beef burger, and mains centered on local seafood, steak, duck, and chicken.
More specifically, the launch menu features items like Sheringham Seaside gin-steamed mussels from Salt Spring Island; chicken wings with shishito, garlic, charred lime, and nuoc cham caramel; seasonal risotto with farmer’s choice vegetables; steak frites; pan-roasted Rossdown Farms chicken; and West Coast seafood chowder.
Wildlight’s all-day menu is paired with a beverage program that features B.C. craft beer and cider, an extensive selection of top B.C. wines by the glass or bottle, and creative cocktails. The drinks program showcases regional spirits and ingredients, and includes a pair of cocktails on tap, handcrafted libations like the Almond Joy (with Odd Society Wallflower Gin, house-made orgeat, and The Woods Amaro), and thoughtful zero-proof creations. The restaurant also offers daily happy hours, and will soon be introducing weekend brunch, all with an aim of becoming a staple go-to no matter the day or time.
“We are so excited to open our doors and welcome the community into this new space, where we know they’ll feel at home,” said Chow in a media release.
Wildlight Kitchen + Bar is located at 107-5380 University Blvd and will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weekend brunch service will be announced soon.
Reservations are now open and can be made via the Wildlight Kitchen + Bar website.
For the latest on Wildlight, follow @wildlightrestaurant on Instagram.
This article was originally published Jan. 11, 2023 and has been updated.
