From disruptor to award-winning institution, Chambar has been making history in Vancouver’s hospitality scene since the day it opened in 2004, and, 20 years later, it is still one of the city’s most popular and important restaurants. To celebrate the two-decade milestone, co-founders Nico Schuermans and Karri Green-Schuermans will be unveiling a series of 20th anniversary events and programming throughout the year.
First up, Chambar will be offering an exclusive nostalgia menu showcasing some of the inaugural menu items, all at 2004 pricing – their gift to you. Called “civilized debauchery” and “fine dining without pretension,” by Bon Appétit, Nico’s consistently excellent food is famously hard to pin down but weaves together Belgian, North African, and Middle Eastern influences.
The special three-course table d’hôte menu is offered from April 2 to 17 at $45 per person plus tax and gratuity, and will showcase all of those, with options like Belgian endive with watercress, pear, and shaved blue cheese in pecan dressing; then bouillabaisse of prawns, mussels, lingcod and calamari with tomato, saffron, charred orange; and a choice of chocolate mousse with raspberry & white chocolate ice cream, or a Liège waffle with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce to finish.
20th Anniversary Nostalgia Menu
April 2-17, 2024
$45 per person, plus tax and gratuity
- Salade Folle
- Belgian endive, watercress, pear, shaved blue cheese, pecan dressing, toasted fig bread
- OR
- Thon Grillé Libanais
- Grilled Ahi tuna, parsley & mint tabbouleh, cumin, smoked aubergine
- Waterzooi Tunisien Aux Fruits de Mer
- Bouillabaisse of prawns, mussels, lingcod & calamari with tomato, saffron, charred orange, black rice
- OR
- Côte de Porc à La Kriek
- Chargrilled pork chop, stoemp potatoes, cherry compote
- Parfait au Chocolat Blanc
- Chocolate mousse, raspberry & white chocolate ice cream, sugar tuile
- OR
- Gaufre Dame Blanche
- Liège waffle, vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce
Chambar will also be welcoming guest appearances from Chambar alum, soon to be announced. Over 20 years, Nico and Karri have not only created a beloved dining spot, but also an institution known for training and launching the city’s best hospitality professionals, many of whom went on to become industry titans. Among Chambar’s awarded alumni: Tannis Ling (Kissa Tanto, Bao Bei, Meo), Roger Collins (Calabash), Patrick Hennessey (Barbara), Mark Brand (Save On Meats), Slavita Johnson and Eleanor Chow (Cadeaux), Paul Grunberg (Savio Volpe, Pepino’s, Banda Volpe), Robbie Kane (Café Medina), Josh Pape (Bufala, Bells & Whistles, Lucky Taco), Frankie Harrington (Meat & Bread), David Robertson (Dirty Apron), and Justin Tisdall (Juke Fried Chicken).
Looking ahead, patio season at Chambar will kick off after Mother’s Day (weather permitting), for a long summer of good food, good music, and good company. The patio is now available for private event bookings. And on July 21, the restaurant will bring back their extremely popular Medieval Fest in commemoration of Belgian National Day.
For more information about Chambar or the 20th Anniversary Nostalgia Menu visit chambar.com/menus/2004nostalgiamenu, or to stay up to date on all the latest news sign up for the newsletter at chambar.com/join-us, and follow @chambar_restaurant on Instagram or /chambarrestaurant on Facebook.