Nightshade, Vancouver’s newest plant-based restaurant, is now open in Yaletown! With last fall’s long tease on social, it feels great to finally let everyone know that the doors are open and plates are on the table just waiting for you. With its inaugural menu, the restaurant explores the boundaries of vegan cuisine, focusing on hyper-local, farm-to-table ingredients with a global twist. The team behind Nightshade has carefully curated a selection of dishes that showcase the diverse flavors and textures that can be achieved with plant-based ingredients. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing has already garnered attention, and it’s no surprise that many are already predicting a michelin bib gourmand in their future. Whether you’re a dedicated vegan, an adventurous foodie, or simply looking to try something new, Nightshade is sure to wow with their innovative and mouthwatering creations.
Behind the Nightshade Launch
“We’ve drawn on techniques and flavours from a lot of different places, including India, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. The kitchen will also be using some strict Japanese techniques in certain dishes” says opening Executive Chef Chanthy Yen. “It’s not exactly molecular gastronomy but the restaurant is looking at ingredients from a different perspective.”
Yen is an Ontario-born chef with Cambodian roots who trained at the NorthWest Culinary Academy in Vancouver and apprenticed at Spain’s two-star Michelin restaurant, Maguritz. After cooking alongside notable local chefs like Jefferson Alvarez and Ned Bell, Yen opened Montreal’s award-winning Fieldstone restaurant and the pop-up Touk. Since launching Nightshade, Yen has taken a position as the personal chef for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family.
Adventurous Menu Offerings
Nightshade’s menu features dishes like Braised Salsafy & Burdock with garnishes of puffed wild rice, garlic, and lavender oil; Fennel Congee/Rice Porridge with sake and scallion dressing; Jicama Ceviche with kelp infused cucumber, dill and salsa verde; and Fried Cassava and Lotus Root with mint puree, sweet red curry, and coconut. Desserts are a Creme Brulee with lavender vegan custard and a Rosewater Apple Tart with spiced milk foam.
The bar menu includes wine and vegan cocktails made to order as well as some, like Old Fashions and Rum Aged Manhattans, on tap. An elevated experience for those who enjoy both proof and zero-proof beverages. Made with intricate syrups, spirits and liqueurs that flaunt flavour forward profiles. Their naturally focused wine program provides some of the best BC has to offer on an organic front.
“The goal is also to look beyond the ingredients and flavours while being mindful about our footprint. The team at Nightshade is committed to reducing the impact on the planet and being thoughtful about what we consume.”
Welcome to Lightshade, Your Private Cosmic Bar
The 150-seat restaurant also features a private 20-seat wine bar and tasting room at the back, Lightshade, that is inspired by the flare of the 80s & 90s. This cosmic pop-up wine bar, with an intimate speak-easy-inspired setting, is a phone-free zone, giving patrons a quiet space to enjoy and relax. A 30-seat patio will be added this spring!
Nightshade can be found at 1079 Mainland Street in Yaletown. The room has been designed by Sean Sherwood, a former restaurateur turned furniture maker. The sophisticated decor gives a nod to floral-inspired motifs while still paying homage to Yaletown’s traditional brick and beam architecture.
Make your reservations by booking online or calling 604.566.2955.
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 10pm.
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].
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