When it comes to matches made in heaven, look no further than the Vancouver food-scene trifecta of Cord Jarvie (founder of Meat & Bread), Bryan Satterford (former Sous Chef at Hawksworth Restaurant), and Justin Tisdall (previous GM at Chambar). When these three approached us to discuss the new concept restaurant they were working on – a fast-paced, cozy, and soulful “juke-joint” – we knew that this one was definitely going to be one to watch on Vancouver’s hot-list.
The vibe of the space had to fit the neighbourhood (and vice-versa!), and what better home for the new joint than Vancouver’s blossoming Chinatown. With new buildings popping up on either side of Main Street, we secured a cozy 1,300 square foot space right at the corner of Keefer & Main Street. Working from the ground up with the building’s developers we made sure the space had just the right components to make sure this joint would be a rockin’ come opening night.
An all-star team
We assembled some of the very best to bring this restaurant to life, including Branding & Design experts Glasfurd & Walker, and interior design/architect firm Ply Architecture. Combining a take out side with the 50 seat restaurant and bar, we had to ensure the two sides could operate efficiently while still feeling cozy and connected.
All of the millwork was completed in-house using our signature “torching” effect on solid ash, which can be seen throughout the bar, tables, and the challenging communal table that wraps around the central concrete pillar. Modern elements and individually custom handcrafted details, such as the lights and stools, helped make sure every corner of the room “popped” without even competing with the Chickadee neon sign in the back hallway.
“Vancouver’s buildings are changing, and fast. Working with new builds is becoming more and more then norm, and understanding what you’re entitled to as a tenant can make or break the bank when building a new restaurant.”
Lucky for us, the new Juke joint is located just around the corner from our existing workshop, which meant that as soon as we had the go-ahead with the city for construction the team was all hands on deck building the new space. And now that Juke is open for biz with a busy take-out side open all day long, you can believe that you’ll usually find at least one member of Team Pacific popping by for lunch on any given day. The fried chicken is seriously finger lickin’ good.
Photos: Andrew Latreille Photography
