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08-27-2012, 11:31 PM
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#1 | | MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
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| Top Chef winner closes Vancouver restaurants
Unfortunately we lose this great chef and his restaurants to expensive rent/lease rates in Downtown Vancouver. I have eaten at Ensemble numerous times and have enjoyed the food and the atmosphere every time. Every time I have been there whether it be a weekday or a weekend it has always been packed.
I'm really sad to see it go. Ensemble had one of the best Gnocchi I had ever tasted. Top Chef winner closes Vancouver restaurants - News1130
anybody else eaten here? your thoughts?
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Last edited by nabs; 08-28-2012 at 09:35 AM.
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08-27-2012, 11:48 PM
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#2 | | My dinner reheated before my turbo spooled
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That location is cursed, but refreshing to hear him blame his ego on this one. Rent is rediculous in this city, and seen it kill good restaurants, and even ones i worked at. Pretty clear that he'll take up a comfy operations position now. (ala feenie with cactus)
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08-27-2012, 11:49 PM
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#3 | | I STILL don't get it
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Gnocchi or is this some Japanese dish?
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08-28-2012, 09:29 AM
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#4 | | RS has made me the bitter person i am today!
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If he had stuck with one restaurant instead of two, he possibly could have survived. I went to Ensemble Tap twice and I didn't think it was anything special. The beer selection at Tap wasn't anything special (I could easily find those beers at other restaurants or at St. Augustine's) and the decor was definitely a mixed bag. About the only redeeming feature of the place was the upper deck which was good for hosting large groups.
The owner/chef is right though - Cactus/Joey/Earls rule this city. You need to offer something extraordinary (a la Hawksworth) to survive.
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08-28-2012, 12:03 PM
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#5 | | HELP ME PLS!!!
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Really? Am I the only person that notices that corporate chain restaurants aren't as popular in Van compared to other cities?
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08-28-2012, 01:24 PM
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#6 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
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Originally Posted by willystyle  Really? Am I the only person that notices that corporate chain restaurants aren't as popular in Van compared to other cities? | Compared to which other cities? I haven't been to any other major Canadian city so can't compare but I think chain restaurants are pretty damn popular in Vancouver.
Given the choice, I often choose the non-chain restaurants or bars over chain just coz they are usually cheaper for similar quality food and with more unique/creative options.
I've been to Ensemble once. Can't remember what I had but the food was fine. Decor was kind of sparse, though. And yeah, that corner is cursed.
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08-28-2012, 02:12 PM
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#7 | | reads most threads with his pants around his ankles, especially in the Forced Induction forum.
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Originally Posted by willystyle Really? Am I the only person that notices that corporate chain restaurants aren't as popular in Van compared to other cities? | Not 100% sure but when I go to Calgary my friends said most people don't go to McDonald's, Bk there and people always go to the local Burger place. It does seem Calgary have a lot less McDonald's, KFC, BK when compare to Vancouver. Also it does seem Calgary have less chain restaurants......
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08-28-2012, 02:19 PM
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#8 | | MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
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I think theres a fair balance between corporate chain restaurants and private restaurants. The only thing is the chain restaurants obviously have more exposure, but even if you do a little digging you will find a nice restaurant.
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08-28-2012, 03:58 PM
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#9 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
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i enjoyed the food at emsemble. it was pricey but it was a good experience. sad to see this place go.
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08-28-2012, 05:27 PM
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#10 | | HELP ME PLS!!!
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Originally Posted by sonick Compared to which other cities? I haven't been to any other major Canadian city so can't compare but I think chain restaurants are pretty damn popular in Vancouver.
Given the choice, I often choose the non-chain restaurants or bars over chain just coz they are usually cheaper for similar quality food and with more unique/creative options.
I've been to Ensemble once. Can't remember what I had but the food was fine. Decor was kind of sparse, though. And yeah, that corner is cursed. | Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.HappySilp Not 100% sure but when I go to Calgary my friends said most people don't go to McDonald's, Bk there and people always go to the local Burger place. It does seem Calgary have a lot less McDonald's, KFC, BK when compare to Vancouver. Also it does seem Calgary have less chain restaurants...... | Compared to Calgary. From what I heard, it's actually quite the opposite. My Calgarian friends say most people over there go to chain restaurants like Earls, Milestone and Joey's over independently-owned restaurants.
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08-28-2012, 11:01 PM
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#11 | Ebisu Boss
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Damn I've always been meaning to try Ensemble but never got the chance to, always stuck working myself ...
I went to eTap last month and thought the food was very standard pubfare and was not worthy of "Top Chef Canada" to put his stamp on it ... not sure what he was thinking with that ...
And it's true, rent in Downtown Vancouver is ass-rapingly high ... it's pretty hard to survive out here ... so imagine how difficult it is to juggle keeping the menu cheap without sacrificing quality and keeping the costs down ... what a nightmare!
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09-04-2012, 10:41 PM
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#12 | | Willing to sell body for a few minutes on RS
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Originally Posted by Mr.HappySilp Not 100% sure but when I go to Calgary my friends said most people don't go to McDonald's, Bk there and people always go to the local Burger place. It does seem Calgary have a lot less McDonald's, KFC, BK when compare to Vancouver. Also it does seem Calgary have less chain restaurants...... | Its quite the opposite. Coming from someone who had spent most of their life in the calgary/edmonton area, both cities are very chain centric. Thats actually one of the biggest reasons I left edmonton. There are a very select few restaurants to work at if you feel like continuing a path in the kitchen beyond the joeys/earls corporate shit.
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10-02-2012, 01:15 PM
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#13 | | NOOB, Not Quite a Regular!
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Tap was a mistake on his part, ensemble alone would have survived imo
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10-02-2012, 01:16 PM
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#14 | | NOOB, Not Quite a Regular!
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And it's a shame that he has left the city all together too
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10-02-2012, 01:22 PM
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#15 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
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That's unfortunate, did he go back to Saskatoon?
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Originally Posted by skyxx Sonick is a genius. I won't go into detail what's so great about his post. But it's damn good! | 2010 Toyota Rav4 Limited V6 - Wifey's Daily Driver
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10-02-2012, 02:43 PM
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#16 | | My homepage has been set to RS
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Apparently the location for Ensemble has been leased already, so we'll have to wait and see what emerges.
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10-02-2012, 02:45 PM
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#17 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
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Best of luck to the next place. That corner is seemingly cursed.
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Originally Posted by skyxx Sonick is a genius. I won't go into detail what's so great about his post. But it's damn good! | 2010 Toyota Rav4 Limited V6 - Wifey's Daily Driver
2009 BMW 128i - Daily Driver
2007 Toyota Rav4 Sport V6 - Sold
1999 Mazda Miata - Sold
2003 Mazda Protege5 - Sold
1987 BMW 325is - Sold
1990 Mazda Miata - Sold 100% Buy and Sell Feedback | |
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10-13-2012, 11:49 PM
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#18 | Ebisu Boss
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The Ensemble location has been leased out. I saw the sign it's called "Purple Olive" now?... not sure what the plan for that place is ...
On another note, eTap has been taken over by Kamei group! Should be ready to open in a couple months! 
__________________ KAMEI Broadway
"Dream as if you will live forever, Live as if tomorrow will be your last." ~ James Dean
"If one does not fail at times, then one has not challenged himself." ~ Ferdinand Porsche There is no substitute.
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1982 Toyota Corolla
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10-14-2012, 06:05 PM
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#19 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
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It seems to be almost ready to open, if not already open: 
Dunno how they can do such cheap meals, rent is probably pretty high at that location.
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Originally Posted by skyxx Sonick is a genius. I won't go into detail what's so great about his post. But it's damn good! | 2010 Toyota Rav4 Limited V6 - Wifey's Daily Driver
2009 BMW 128i - Daily Driver
2007 Toyota Rav4 Sport V6 - Sold
1999 Mazda Miata - Sold
2003 Mazda Protege5 - Sold
1987 BMW 325is - Sold
1990 Mazda Miata - Sold 100% Buy and Sell Feedback | |
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10-14-2012, 06:12 PM
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#20 | | My homepage has been set to RS
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Interesting concept..similar to Warehouse/Factory on Granville
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10-14-2012, 06:20 PM
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#21 | | My homepage has been set to RS
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Originally Posted by Obsideon The Ensemble location has been leased out. I saw the sign it's called "Purple Olive" now?... not sure what the plan for that place is ...
On another note, eTap has been taken over by Kamei group! Should be ready to open in a couple months! | Will Kamei Royale on Burrard/Alberni still be open as well?
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10-14-2012, 06:31 PM
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#22 | | MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
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hmm... the japadog cart across the street will put them out of business.
__________________ Quote: | [03-07, 03:26] Yodamaster - The feeling when you quickly insert without hitting the sides | | |
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10-14-2012, 07:46 PM
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#23 | | RS Veteran
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Originally Posted by sonick Dunno how they can do such cheap meals, rent is probably pretty high at that location. | Volume.
Much like in Orange County, Vietnamese restaurants are so abundant, the competition is fierce. Restaurants will have 50% of pho or regular menu items at specific times, usualy 3 - 6pm dine-in only and they bank on volume to turn a profit or at least keep afloat. You can easily get a decent bowl of pho for $4.50 tax and tip included. But the moment you ask for a glass of ice water, they nickle and dime you and charge $0.50 - $1.00.
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Originally Posted by Badhobz Yeah. Typical Mainlander Barbie doll.
Her car even smelled nice. Like a mixture of luxury perfume and a hint of….. vag ? Fish sauce ? Something a bit dank | | |
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10-14-2012, 07:59 PM
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#24 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
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Ya but that corner isn't exactly a high-traffic area. Unless it opens with a huge bang, gets rave reviews and is able to sustain it, I can't see how they can make it up in volume; especially given the track record other restaurants that have failed in that area.
Best of luck to them though, would be nice to have some quality value food options there.
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Originally Posted by skyxx Sonick is a genius. I won't go into detail what's so great about his post. But it's damn good! | 2010 Toyota Rav4 Limited V6 - Wifey's Daily Driver
2009 BMW 128i - Daily Driver
2007 Toyota Rav4 Sport V6 - Sold
1999 Mazda Miata - Sold
2003 Mazda Protege5 - Sold
1987 BMW 325is - Sold
1990 Mazda Miata - Sold 100% Buy and Sell Feedback | |
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10-14-2012, 08:07 PM
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#25 | | RS Veteran
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If it's hipster enough and has enough Instagram photos on its Facebook page, it'll work. 
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by Badhobz Yeah. Typical Mainlander Barbie doll.
Her car even smelled nice. Like a mixture of luxury perfume and a hint of….. vag ? Fish sauce ? Something a bit dank | | |
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