The biggest names in rock , soul and pop flock to Vancouver restaurants by lucas aykroyd
Eat Like a Rock Star
The biggest names in rock , soul and pop flock to Vancouver restaurants by lucas aykroyd
Pride ( In the Name of Food )
THE STARS U2 THE RESTAURANT Chambar 568 Beatty St . 604-879-7119 chambar . com U2 has used Vancouver twice for pre-tour rehearsals , and in 2015 , the Irish mega-band kicked off their world tour at Rogers Arena , a stone ’ s throw from Chambar . Bono and his posse feasted at this awardwinning , 280-seat Belgian restaurant , which bustles before concerts and sporting events . Relaxing in a circular red-leather booth , you ’ ll feel like rock-star royalty yourself . After you enjoy a classic beer flight with Chambar Ale , Strange Fellows Jongleur and Grimbergen Dubbel , it ’ s automatically a “ Beautiful Day .” Don ’ t miss the seductively spicy veal-stuffed calamari with taro chips . Pair the Moules Frites Congolaise ( mussels , tomato coconut cream , smoked chili , cilantro ) with a nice Riesling , and you ’ ll agree chef Nico Schuermans moves in “ Mysterious Ways .”
The Ozzman Dineth
THE STAR Ozzy Osbourne THE RESTAURANT Gotham Steakhouse 615 Seymour St . 604-605-8282 gothamsteakhouse . com This classic , intimately lit downtown steakhouse has attracted a Who ’ s Who of rock stars , from Rod Stewart to Tommy Lee , but Ozzy Osbourne is easily the most notorious . However , the Black Sabbath singer didn ’ t get “ Paranoid ” during his privateroom dinner at Gotham . He accepted a bouquet from one fan and kissed a birthday girl on his way out . You can settle into a velvet booth with dark wood panelling beneath 24-foot ( 7-metre ) ceilings , and honour the Prince of Darkness by ordering the succulent Black and Blue Ahi Tuna . Or toast ( ahem ) Ozzy ’ s big-haired 1980s solo career with the infamously decadent Cheese Toast . The 48-ounce ( 1.3-kilogram ) Tomahawk Steak , carved tableside , is the culinary equivalent of going off the rails on a “ Crazy Train .”
YEW Shook Me All Night Long
THE STARS AC / DC THE RESTAURANT YEW 791 W . Georgia St . 604-692-4939 yewseafood . com It ’ s easy to see what drew AC / DC to YEW when they recorded their Black Ice album in Vancouver . The Australian hard rockers have long travelled the “ Highway to Hell ,” and this upscale , seafood-centric restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel offers a buildyour-own-Caesar bar for its weekend brunch — perfect for a hair of the dog . YEW also boasts a cocktail list inspired by the five oceans . You can “ Shoot to Thrill ” with the refreshing Cape of Storms ( Ketel One Vodka , St-Germain elderflower , chamomile and lemon juice , orange and juniper bitters , tonic , citrus bouquet ). Decadent yet reasonably priced brunch features , such as lobster scrambled eggs and soft-serve salted-caramel ice cream add up to Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap .
Wine and Whiskey — With Soul
THE STAR Leon Bridges THE RESTAURANT Uva 900 Seymour St . 604-632-9560 uvavancouver . com Kitty-corner from the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver ’ s entertainment district , elegant Uva lured soul singer Leon Bridges after his sold-out 2016 concert there . The hot Texas-born songwriter clearly felt like he was “ Coming Home ,” to quote his best-known number . Award-winning bar manager Sabrine Dhaliwal made him a Boulevardier with Lot 40 , a premium Canadian rye whiskey . If you come earlier , happy hour ( 2 to 6 p . m .) delivers . Nibble on bruschetta with red-wine lentils and goat cheese , or lemon-and-herb risotto balls , while savoring Dhaliwal ’ s latest cocktails beneath funky light fixtures . Sipping a Choclair ( Bulleit Bourbon , Grand Marnier and cacao , fresh espresso , red berries and gentian , Malagasy chocolate bitters ), you ’ ll feel life matches another Bridges hit : “ Smooth Sailin ’.”
Surfacing — For Stellar Seafood
THE STAR Sarah McLachlan THE RESTAURANT The Beach House 150 25th St ., West Vancouver . 604-922-1414 thebeachhouserestaurant . ca Sarah McLachlan resides in West Vancouver , and the mellow Canadian songstress has patronized this welcoming local seafood eatery with its mermaid logo . Whether you ’ re dining inside or on the heated beachside patio , it ’ s not just the view of Stanley Park and Burrard Inlet that will move you to sing “ I Will Remember You .” You ’ ll be living larger than Lilith Fair as you inhale the artfully presented tuna-poke nachos and the infinitely tender North Pacific sablefish , among other fresh , seasonal dishes . For “ Sweet Surrender ,” give in to strawberry-rhubarb crumble .
Opposite , clockwise from top left : Uva , Gotham , YEW and Chambar
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