Updated May 25th.
VV Tapas Lounge will re-open in-house dining as of May 26th, with a NEW menu. 🎉🥂
“We will be open from Tuesday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to close and happy hour will be from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm to close. Pick up and Doordash delivery will continue.”
“In accordance with local governments and health authorities, VV Tapas Lounge will resume dine-in operations limited at 50% capacity. The health and well-being of our employees and guests remain our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe environment and have implemented additional safety and hygiene measures under the guidance of health authorities.”
“Thank you all very much for your continued support and trust. We can’t wait to welcome you back into the lounge. See you soon!”
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The arrival of VV Tapas Lounge in Strathcona (957 East Hastings St.) is yet one more sign that tapas is back with a vengeance.
It’s a truly welcome trend. My sense is the renewed appreciation for a more authentic, classic Spanish bent is a response to the dwindling small plates movement. It’s also very much tied to sherry’s resurgence, driven by a new breed of sommelier.
Vancouver has a long history of borrowing and popularizing food styles. Loosely speaking, the ‘euro-cuisines’ that ruled for much of the 20th century were eclipsed by a California ‘bistro’ style. It was the precursor to the ‘west coast tapas’ first minted by Gord Martin at Bin 941. Widely copied, that trend eventually morphed into a small plates revolution. But everything does come full circle…
Harbingers of change
Strathcona Village facing East Hastings Street. Photo Ema Peter, Canadian Architect
I’m always intrigued by the role played by restaurants in the development or revitalisation of neighbourhoods. In the case of VV Tapas Lounge it seems particularly significant.
The lounge is tucked in on the ground floor of Strathcona Village, a new development which anchors the downtown eastern end of Hastings Street. Right by the viaduct that crosses the Glen tracks, the building sports a distinctive ‘container’ facade as a nod to the adjacent port.
Looking in from outside
Strathcona Village is a “work-live” development which means there’s a built in audience for VV Tapas, although I suspect they’ll draw from The Drive as well as from downtown and Gastown.
“Strathcona is a great neighbourhood—especially our corner of Strathcona,” says co-owner Sommelier Rachelle Goudreau (ex TWB and Provence Marinaside). “The area is generally safe (as much as anywhere else in Vancouver) and closer to downtown than many realize. And free parking! The locals are friendly and loving what we do, there is a great sense of community here and we do our best to treat everyone like family. It is a diverse and evolving neighborhood that we are proud to be a part of,” she adds.
Indeed, there’s plenty to like, including decent charcuterie, plus a good selection of artisan cheeses from Les Amis du Fromage—conveniently just a block away.
Re Priamo cheese, almond crackers and molé spiced pecans with Noe Pedro Ximinez (PX) sherry (image supplied)
Also in chef Zach Poole’s lineup: grape and quinoa salad, scallop tartare with herb risotto, devilled duck egg and more.
The room itself (by Nahal Gamini Design) yields a blend of contemporary and traditional. Concrete is balanced by cork and wood and by a living wall. It all adds up to a comfy neighbourhood haunt.
Don’t miss: the collection of (now nigh prehistoric) classic 33 rpm covers on the way to the washrooms…
Hint: check out Happy Hour daily for the likes of $4 Sherry, Vermouth and Amaro “offered individually or as flights”. Not to mention “$6 glasses of wine and $6 craft tall cans of beer.”
Also, now open for Brunch (weekends 10am to 2pm) with items ranging mainly from $6 to $15 with the exception of the extensive and “shareable Breakfast Charcuterie Board – an extravagant selection of andouille sausage and bra duro cheese along with butter-dipped radish, mole pecans, pickles, olives, poached duck eggs, yogurt and jam parfait and house-made Nutella accompaniments ($20).” Plus highly affordable Mimosas, Caesars and special coffees with $2 shots of house made Irish cream.
Rachelle Goudreau brings a keen eye to her smartly picked wine and spirits list. Another good reason to check it out.
See you there!
VV Tapas, 957 East Hastings St., 604-336-9244
Open Tuesday – Saturday from 4:00pm to 11:00pm.
Happy Hour (4pm-6pm and 9pm – close)
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