Food for Comfort

It's not everyday that you can say "Our Walls Create Comfort".

Yet, if you dine at Burgoo Bistro, that is what customers say. Of course, we are boasting a little, since the road to a successful restaurant is not only having a fantastic interior, ...it is only one of many key components in running growing a business that is repeatedly building upon it's success - 'food for comfort'.

This is exactly what Burgoo does daily at three of it's locations in Vancouver and soon a new location on West 4th, opening in a couple of weeks.(across from WholeFoods at 4th& Vine)

 

This is the fourth Burgoo, where Distinct has been commissioned to create and Old World theme to the walls, one of our specialties. All four of the restaurants have Plaster walls, the Main St location and this new location are created in using Tadelakt. One of the unique aspects of this Moroccan Plaster is it traditional origins and rustic appearance. For the 4th Ave. location we created a new finish(Old World in theme) called FarmHouse™ Tadelakt. We actually have coffee grinds in the plaster with other ingredients to help create the true rustic walls.

 

As I mentioned the owners the other day, I just love the way the restaurant feels, there is no pretentiousness to it, just come as you are, relax and enjoy the warmth.

 

TeamWork, there is plenty of that on-site, which is refreshing for a change. Not that doesn't occur on other job sites, but the 4 owners, actually all chip in later in their work day to help out where needed. The other trades and GC, love it!

It's a real hands on approach, for 4 gents that don't mind to get there hands dirty!

 

 

"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" - Steve Jobs

 

We sure Do

I received a call yesterday from a designer asking if we ever work on restaurants?

My reply was "indeed" and we love hospitality biz, since it provides tight time lines, tight budgets and always full surprises. And in Vancouver, we have had plenty of spaces to create distinctive finishes.

Unfortunately for our restaurant clients it's a really tough business. I think the stats are 90% of restaurant fail in there first year of business - ouch!

Here is where our hands have been, perhaps you have been to one of them?

DB Bistro/Lumiere, The Boathouse Richmond, The Boathouse New Westminster, The Boathouse English Bay, Milestones Denman, Bread Garden Denman, Bread Garden Granville, Romano's Macaroni Grill, The Rex Grill, Gianni's, Ouisi Bistro, The Fringe Cafe, The Funky Armadillo, Burgoo Bistro West 10th, Burgoo Bistro Lonsdale, Burgoo Bistro Main Street, Reflections Gastronomie Steveston, La Pergola Steveston, La Cucina North Van, Darby's Pub Kits, Bean Around the World West 10th,  Delany's Coffee Denman, Delany's Coffee Edgemont Village, Delany's Coffee Dundarave, Delany's Park Royal, Delany's Coffee Lynn Valley, The Keg Caesars, Red Robin, Hyatt Hotel Grill Vancouver, Vancouver Club, Paddle Wheeler Pub, Peaks Coffee Whistler, Casalingo Yaletown, Anton's Pasta Bar, Joe Fortes Vancouver, Ciaomien, Cardero's in Coal Harbour, Chaise Lounge Main Street...

A Taste of French Sophistication

Only the coldest day of the year in Vancouver, it seems fitting that Faubourg is OPEN for business.

It's not often, actually never... that I blog about a project where our services, were not used.
It was in the plans to have some Lime Plaster decorative treatments during construction, but like many major upgrades to older buildings, the budget was quickly consumed!
Not to worry, our loss is Vancouver's gain.
If you have been to Paris and had breads from the local bakeries, then you know what I'm referring too.
During the prepping for the opening, Franck Point(Proprieter/MasterBaker) from Lyon in France, provided some samples of the croissants and in house breads. Franck is very passionate and professional for detail - he is Vancouver's pastry 'Ratatouille'.
The croissants were so good... they melted in my mouth, I decided I had to blog about the opening!
So - if your near 41st and Arbutus(2156 West 41st), do go by... you are in for a fantastic treat!
Faubourg
Faubourg%20sign%204.pdf

Historic - Contemporary Mantels

A while back, my wife & I had fantastic few days in Quebec City and I having been meaning to share some pictures of a particular spot...

If you are heading to Quebec City in the near future, then make a rewarding stop for dinner at Panache.
It is perfect blend between old and new design, with a 19th century maritime warehouse as the back drop of the interior to perfectly decorate with modern fixings. We were very taken with the warmth and coziness of the interior in Panache, well balanced with old post and beams, granite walls, plaster walls, stone floors, wood floors and great natural light despite being in the middle of an old warehouse.

Most important: two fireplaces Mantels caught my eye for inspiration. Both contemporary, these Mantels incorporate Limestone in their design and fit the rooms gracefully, see the pictures below.


Simple, well placed and effective.

The Surround is 25' high.

Now that is a wall! Check out the THICKNESS, built to last hundreds of years.




Plaster walls in the common halls.

How about the food? Eat Very Well!

Let's Get Physical! "Let me hear your body talk . . ." Olivia Newton-John

Do you remember that song, if you do, then you are product of the 80's and remember some really bad videos. But hey, that is what makes memories of the 80's great... we survived & MTV was born.
Ok, I realize that is a little different for an intro heading, yet it's the only thought that keeps coming to my mind as I try to describe our most recent feature wall project. It was very Physical to create, "no pain, no gain"!

Trying something different... food!

Looking for a different dining experience in Van?
Try Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie

Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie Incs=6090680272153857205

163 Keefer Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 4E9
(604) 688-0876

My Wife & I, along with a few friends went there this past Friday for a very different type dinner and time for social catch up. If you have ever been to Asia then you understand the meaning on night bizarre cuisine, the neat twist at Bao Bei (Chinese Brasserie) you feel a mix between, Asia, Van and San Fran. Of course the interior comes under scrutiny when a decorative artist is in the house.

I did enjoy the interior very much, white texture walls, with collectibles ranging from industrial ally to Asian family heirlooms to help create a dinning experience so non Vancouver.
The food is limited to smaller dishes for sharing(which actual makes you order more, smart move!), but not small in taste, a variety of flavours in every selection we had that night. The pork belly dish was a big winner, even though we were a little hesitant to order it. Surprise, Surprise!

2 months off from Blogging

It's much like running, once you stop the routine, than it is twice as hard to start. It's already August 4th, oh where does the summer time go! Too much fun. The weather in Vancouver has been perfect, so let's keep it that way! Hope yours is the same.

Road Trip to Oregon: Last week we return from a week down in that fantastic tax free haven of Oregon. What good feeling state Oregon is. Plus to have 90F, sun, city and beach time... well let's just say it was  g o o d!

Looking for something Tasty: Perfect spot in Portland on a hot night, PokPok, if you have ever been to South East Asia, PokPok has got it down from the street side ambiance, to the very tasty authentic flavours the far East - WOW.

Lunch? How about a great sandwich in funky spot, then check out Bunk Sandwiches. If you have ever been to Ben's in Montreal, it's kind of like that with a Portland vibe - we really enjoyed it!

Art: If your a decorative artist you may have heard of IDAL (International Decorative Artists League). They held their annual trade show in Portland, exhibitors, classes and artisans are in hand to create some B2B and sharing of knowledge. It was good for me to attend since this was on the West coast and to get a closer look where the industry is and where it is going! There is something good coming... but that is still a few months away from sharing... but it will be very good :)

Colour! Love seeing other cities in the core, away from the predictable 'downtown'. Where sometimes it feels as your the only one in the urban jungle, fore there were moments as we walked the hot streets of Portland... all we could see were the colours of the city and not the sounds of the urban core.

Dounuts? Why... not a big fan personally, but we had a few people at different times mention we should see Voodoo Donuts (the Magic is in the Hole) you see! The kids enjoyed them of course. Look closer at the picure below, there is one with maple icing and bacon... I don't think they offer that type at Tim Horton's? :(

09 - Well it is almost over, but not forgotten.
A year filled with variety in clients styles and designs, 09 brought the introduction of American Clay (beautiful walls) to there homes and the custom installation process of Lime Plaster Mantles.
More to come in 2010!

What is cooking these days...

Heat and Wall Glazing

Traditionally this is recipe for a disaster, but no longer the case with Golden Acrylic Proceed Love the stuff!

It is the dead of summer ( 33ºC/92º) in Vancouver and for the past 7 days we have been glazing hundreds of square feet without hitch, in a restaurant La Cucina.
Finishing up this week, I will have some finished shots of the Northern Italian wall finishes next week.... until then a very cool ciao!

...on Main Street

A sneak peak on the latest project.
Chaise Lounge - Opening really soon!
I'll keep you posted to the official opening, it's a pretty cool vibe in the space as I left the site today.
Here is a pic of "old concrete walls" in the process of drying, this what the designer ask me to create... it's been fun!