Dahlia Restaurant and Cocktail Bar Opens Its Doors in Vancouver’s Azure Legacy Collection Hotel
Dahlia Restaurant and Cocktail Bar Opens Its Doors in Vancouver’s Azure Legacy Collection Hotel
New Addition to City’s Dining Scene Showcases French-Inspired Fare, Craft Cocktails, Taste of Canadian Terroir in Downtown Vancouver
An elegant, upscale addition to Vancouver’s world-renowned culinary scene makes its debut when DAHLIA Restaurant and Cocktail Bar officially opens its doors this Friday, November 3rd in the AZUR Legacy Collection Hotel located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver at 833 West Pender Street.
DAHLIA offers locals and visitors alike a refined and elegant escape and a captivating contrast from the hustle and bustle of the city thanks to its rich, relaxing and intimate ambiance, floor-to-ceiling windows and menu that marries international flavours and style with sustainably sourced local ingredients.
Open for Breakfast from 7 to 10:30 a.m., Happy Hour from 3 to 5 p.m. and Dinner from 5 to 10 p.m., DAHLIA’s dishes are heavily inspired by fare of the French Riviera and Italian coastline, yet remain true to Canada’s terroir, showcasing ingredients from local farms, fields and fishers from all points across the country like Alberta (beef), BC (lamb, salmon, chicken), Quebec (duck) and Nova Scotia (lobster), among others.
Highlights of the Breakfast menu include the Croque Madame (artisan ham, sourdough, Gruyere, fried egg, organic greens); Lemon Buttermilk Pancakes (citrus butter, blueberry compote, seasonal berries); Steak and eggs (bavette, two sunny eggs, caramelized onion, crispy potato, peppercorn jus, choice of toast); and Lobster Benedict (brioche, soft poached eggs, Hollandaise, crispy potatoes), as well as a selection of breads, pastries and brioches made fresh daily by AZUR Legacy Collection Hotel Executive Chef Shyam Longani.
DAHLIA’s full dinner menu offers an array of casual starters, fresh salads and share plates, entrées and accompaniments that includes:
Caviar service (Choice of Osietra or Northern Divine, served with blinis and classic accompaniments crème fraîche, diced onions, hard-boiled egg, pairs perfectly with an ice-cold shot of vodka or flute of Champagne);
Beef Tartare (beef tenderloin, shaved potato, egg yolk, shallots);
Fruits de Mer (½ lobster, prawns, oysters, Ahi tuna);
Avocado Ritz (poached prawns, marie rose, baby gem lettuce, cognac);
Burrata & Heirloom Tomato (local burrata, heirloom tomato, olive oil, balsamic, sesame, melba);
Nicoise Salad (heirloom tomato, Ahi tuna, haricots, oeuf, baby gem lettuce, olives, potato, red onion, shallot dressing);
Dungeness Crab Cake (remoulade, lemon caper oil);
Grilled Octopus (‘Nduja, potato);
Foie Gras Parfait (duck liver, stone fruit, cipollini, toasted brioche);
Salmon Wellington (spring salmon, spinach, puff pastry, Champagne beurre blanc);
Tuscan Chicken (½ chicken, dry rub, lemon, roasted garlic, olive oil);
12oz Ribeye & Seared Foie Gras (Barbera sauce);
Grilled Atlantic Lobster (chervil, garlic, chive, lemon butter);
Chitarra Aglio e Olio with lamb (Merguez sausage, broccolini, roasted garlic, olive oil, Parmigiano);
French Onion Burger (caramelized onion, chaumes, sesame brioche, truffle aioli, sea salted fries).
“We are proud to celebrate the flavours and style of the French Riviera and Italian coastline and showcase sustainably sourced ingredients from the bountiful farms, fields and oceans of BC and beyond,” says Longani. “At DAHLIA, we believe in the joy of sharing delightful dishes with loved ones and fostering lasting memories.”
The Dahlia kitchen will be led by Chef Daniel Kenney, who steps onto the line after working in renowned hotels and will execute and bring to life Longani’s brilliantly crafted culinary vision for the restaurant through his expertise in cooking.
Behind the bar, DAHLIA’s cocktail list writes a new chapter in the city’s storied bar scene and will feature a thoughtfully curated menu of signature libations in three themed categories that each offer a unique adventure to lift the spirits.
The ‘Années Folies’ section conjures up the artistic, vibrant ambiance of 1920s Paris with takes on Martinis like the floral, tropical ‘Deceptive Love’ (tequila, sotol, demerara gum, banan-infused vermouth) and savoury, peppery ‘Illusion’ (vodka, dill-infused mezcal, lemon, sugar, black pepper, cherry tomatoes, balsamic).
The effervescent energy of 1960s gets its due in a ‘Swinging Sixties’ collection of Sours and Old Fashioneds with entries like the fresh and fruity ‘Cool Cat’ (strawberry-infused gin, basil-infused vermouth, balsamic, egg white, sugar) and nutty, smoky ‘Life’s a Gas’ (graham cracker-infused bourbon, chocolate bitters, creme de cacao, cherry wood chips).
Finally, the ‘Dahlia Flowers’ section showcases Sparkling-based and Negroni-inspired cocktails in all their herbaceous and citrusy glory such as bitter, earthy ‘Patchouli’ (mezcal, Campari, sweet vermouth, silver needle tea) and sweet, refreshing ‘Peonia’ (Italicus, Campari, blood orange juice).
“We’re thrilled to offer our guests an unparalleled experience through these meticulously crafted cocktails that each tell their own unique story,” says Dahlia Bar Manager Serhii Kulikov.
Beyond its catalogue of craft cocktails, Dahlia also features an artisan selection of vermouths to enjoy while indulging in the timeless Italian tradition of ‘aperitivo hour’ prior to dinner as well as a wide array of Champagnes available by the glass and bottle and a cellar of Old-World wines with a particular focus on the French and Italian regions.
Dahlia’s menu comes about as the result of a collaboration between Longani and Azur Legacy Collection Hotel Director of Operations Sofia Sayani, who drew on years of experience travelling the world and a focus on European charm, elegance and simplicity as her inspiration when designing both the restaurant and its menu.
“We drew our inspiration from the service, cuisine and style of the French and Italian Riviera to create refined and classic dishes that will satisfy both the eye and palate of our guests,” says Sayani. “We infused the hotel with a sense of worldly sophistication and a deep appreciation for diverse experiences, and my spirit of wanderlust was a driving force in creating an enchanting haven that transcends the ordinary and celebrates the beauty of the extraordinary. I’m excited to see our guests delve into the opulent yet simplified atmosphere and absorb the layers of meaning, experience and hospitality that we wove throughout the property.”
ABOUT AZUR LEGACY COLLECTION HOTEL
Opening in August 2023 at 833 West Pender Street, Azur Legacy Collection Hotel is an art deco-styled hotel bringing a new level of luxury, service, and style to the heart of Downtown Vancouver. The property offers locals and visitors alike an urban oasis in its lavishly appointed guest rooms and penthouse suites, and a taste of Vancouver’s renowned hospitality and cuisine in the cozy confines of its Lobby Lounge, and an opulent Rooftop Restaurant showcasing sweeping views of the city. AZUR Legacy Collection Hotel will be the only property in Western Canada to join the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World collection, comprising more than 400 boutique, luxury properties in over 80 countries across the globe. azurhotelvancouver.com.