The team at VV Tapas Lounge is invoking the ‘as one door closes, another opens’ maxim and announcing that the Strathcona wine and tapas bar will host its final service on Saturday, December 23 before re-opening as a new concept in early 2024 in its current quarters at 957 E Hastings St.
Opened in 2019 in the up-and-coming East Vancouver neighbourhood by Operations Manager and Sommelier Chase MacLeod and Head Chef Zach Poole, VV Tapas Lounge quickly carved out a reputation as an elevated-yet-laidback gathering spot for foodies with a passion for artfully prepared small plates, Old and New World wine, craft beer and cocktails and good company.
VV will remain open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 to 10 p.m. until December 23, with Poole reviving guest favourite dishes from past menus as a way of embracing the restaurant’s roots and allowing guests to gather, raise a glass and relive fond memories of VV Tapas Lounge since opening four years ago.
Poole’s current menu showcases a number of unique share plates and rustic, farm-to-table-focused fare such as Beet Panzanella Salad (dandelion greens, cucumber, croutons, sheep feta, beets, parsnip chips, nigella vinaigrette),Cauliflower Dip (sumac cashews, olive tapenade, shaved radish, bread), Prawn Cocktail (saffron rouille, asparagus pesto, dehydrated tomato, horseradish) and Wild Mushroom Risotto (porcini stock, marinated oyster mushrooms, black garlic miso paste, yolk sauce), among others.
VV will also continue to offer its daily double-barreled Happy Hour service from 4 to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close in the days leading up to December 23, with a menu showcasing free snacks, feature glasses of wine and local craft beer, sharing options including a Fondue for Two and Charcuterie or Shishito Peppers as well as Half Price bottles of select wines from the cellar.
The lounge will be available for holiday parties, events and buyouts in the interim in its cozy and intimate quarters, and offers a fully customizable space that features two outdoor patios and a courtyard that can be tented and can arrange bespoke décor, free parking and valet service and live music upon request for seated gatherings of up to 45 people or standup cocktail parties of up to 70.
For more information on VV Tapas Lounge or to stay up to date on the latest news on the new incarnation of the space, go to vvtapaslounge.com, follow @vv.tapaslounge on Instagram or become a friend of /vv.tapaslounge on Facebook.