Violeté will bring the rustic charm of Spanish and Italian culinary traditions to the heart of East Vancouver this April. Reuben Major and their team at Van Urban Hospitality have designed this 78-seat bistro as a dedicated gathering place for the local community.
The restaurant occupies a 2,700-square-foot space at 1380 Commercial Drive, featuring an interior inspired by European travels with Roman clay finishes and Tuscan-style tiles. A seasonal patio will offer additional seating for 16 guests to enjoy the vibrant streetscape.
Executive Chef Andrew Hounslow and Head Chef Andrew Kelly have developed a menu that highlights traditional techniques and local British Columbia ingredients. The kitchen utilizes a signature forno oven to prepare a variety of regional dishes. Guests can expect to find branzino a la plancha and risotto nero as central offerings on the timeless menu. These plates reflect decades of experience and travel through historic European kitchens and rolling hills.
The beverage program at Violeté spotlights producers from Italy and Spain alongside high-quality local wineries. Bar Manager Taylor Gardiner has curated a list of bottles that emphasizes unique character and history. Their cocktail selection focuses on bold flavours designed to encourage long conversations and a relaxed dining atmosphere. This program complements the hospitality vision led by General Manager Paris Pelan.
Lemon Lane Interiors created the upscale-casual environment to allow lunch to linger and dinner to unfold naturally. Their design includes rounded archways and luscious greenery to transport diners to a different setting.
The restaurant will operate daily, opening at 11:30 am on weekdays and 10:00 am on weekends for brunch and dinner service. This project joins a portfolio of established venues like Havana and Belgard Kitchen in the city.