Coast Restaurant just clocked two decades. It’s hard to believe, as I remember vividly the opening. At the time, Coast was a spectacular addition to Alberni Street, which was still pretty low key in those days. A menu centrepiece was the seafood tower, which was all the rage at the time. (The current menu yields a trio of towers, including an all-in $325 splurge, should you be in the mood.)
Twenty years have gone by in a flash. But there’s no denying that Coast remains the impressive destination that arrived with a splash back in the day. It was an early adopter of sustainable seafood and one of the first to feature Northern Divine local caviar on its menu. An enthusiastic throng showed up for last week’s anniversary party, also the reveal for a ‘top to bottom’ refurbishment of the two tier space. Coast always was a dazzler, even more so now.
Meet the ‘new’ Coast
Like others’ Coast’s pre-pandemic entrance way patio has become more permanent. The space is now glassed in for year-round comfort. CEO Emad Yacoub told me they spent almost $1.1 million on the upgrade, which includes new furnishings throughout, sumptuous wall fabrics and another deluxe private room on the upper level.
One feature that hasn’t changed is the dramatic, circular bar. It’s very much a ‘see and be seen’ kind of place. With its great visibility and backdrop of fresh seafood such as Dungeness crab and fresh oysters on ice, no wonder it’s the focal point of the downstairs hustle and bustle. The redo was handled by Navigate Design. They’re also the lead on highly anticipated Black + Blue Toronto, which will launch in a month or so.
Glowbal Group founder and CEO Emad Yacoub
Check out the Buzz
Coast (and Glowbal Group in general) is all about doing things in style. It’s unapologetically big, bold, brassy—and fun! Much of that personality flows from Yacoub himself, who is without doubt one of the best (and smartest!) boosters in the business. Also, few people work as hard as he does.
I recall meeting him for the first time, outside the original Glowbal (in Yaletown). Menus in hand, h was shilling for customers—something you were more likely to see in New Orleans than Vancouver! But he knew, as they say, how to ‘get bums in seats.’ He also wasn’t happy until most or all of those seats were occupied… Since those early days he’s built a powerhouse group of eight restaurants—with more to come.
When I asked Yacoub last week how Dine Out was going he replied, without missing a beat, “… Incredible! At Glowbal alone last Friday night we welcomed some 680 guests. And when people come in they know exactly what they want to order… It’s been great—dynamic… the best January so far!”
Coast oysters on platter
Go for Happy Hour
Most if not all of the Glowbal group restos have Happy Hours worth checking out. Coast’s offerings (2:30-5:30 pm daily) include: a good selection of cones, value priced oysters (six for $12), seafood tacos or just about anything that takes your fancy. What more pleasant excuse could there be to while away an afternoon? While we’re at it, Coast also has a good Dine Out menu, on offer just for a couple of days more, to Feb 5th. Even after that there’s a daily $65 three course prix fixe, as available.
Coast Executive Chef Fernando Burgues
… For Paella
Paella is high on my list of special occasion dishes to cook, so I was delighted to see new Coast Executive Chef Fernando Burgues on the business end of a giant paella pan. The tastes were impressive (as was Coast partner chef Sean Riley’s perfect sea-bass Wellington). Burgues, who arrived last year, has solid Spanish and UK credentials. He’s cooked in London for Roux at the Landau, at Mayfair’s The Wolseley, and at Spain’s El Serbal and Casona del Judio, in Santander, both Michelin starred. (Hint: You can try the lobster paella, for two or four, on Paella Sundays…)
Alexandre Roger and Sarah McCauley
…And maybe a glass of Champagne?
Overseeing everything front of house at Coast is veteran Wine Director Sarah McCauley. Her star-studded resumé includes the likes of Blue Water Café, Cin Cin, Wedgewood Hotel and Notch 8. She’s also just welcomed sommelier / wine director Alexandre Roger to the team. The youthful Roger hails originally from Champagne and has just arrived in Vancouver after a six year sojourn in Melbourne. There he ran the wine program at Vue de Monde, on the 55th floor of the Rialto Building. Just a hunch, but the Champagne list at coast might be in for a redo too. Either way, that circular bar is calling …
Find out more about Coast here!
1054 Alberni Street, Vancouver
604-685-5010
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