A by-the-glass list of 16 wines is on the menu for thirsty folks on the North Shore.
16 West, a new B.C.-focused wine bar concept from the chef and owner of Hachiro ramen bar, opens Friday (June 24) in the Central Lonsdale area.
Hachiro closed down earlier this year, and the team got to work right away converting their previous offerings to a fresh selection of wine and food pairings.
Highlights on 16 West's opening list include a Grüner Veltliner from Winemaker's Cut in Oliver, and a Pinot Noir from Tantalus Vineyards in Kelowna. Culinary creations from chef Addy Gowe feature a fluffy squash gnocchi with brown butter sauce, fresh herbs and grated parmesan, as well as a roasted red pepper bean dip with confit garlic accompanied by toasted baguette from North Van's Bad Dog Bread.
Hachiro opened in 2019, and quickly had to pivot to a primarily takeout model. Started by Brooke Naito-Campbell and her brother, she took over full ownership last year and brought in chef Gowe to lead the menu.
With this new concept, Gowe's experience at restaurants that include Bufala Edgemont, Torafuku, Quattro and Wildebeest is complemented by her time working at wineries in the Naramata region.
"It gave me an opportunity to see the full extent of what's grown, and how temperature variations affect the grapes as you travel through the Okanagan," she said.
Heading the hospitality and wine knowledge at 16 West is Sher DiMarco, a vinous professional who's provided her expertise at the Loge Club in Rogers Arena and runs her own event business called Share the Wine Please.
Pointing at the new rack of bottles lining the west wall of the restaurant, across from its open kitchen, owner Naito-Campbell said she feels like a wine bar really does the space justice.
Every bottle on the menu will be open for by-the-glass, 6-ounce pours.
For the keeners out there, wine not join the cast at 16 West for their first happy hour Friday afternoon from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.?
16 West
Where: 140 16th Street West, North Vancouver
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 4-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday 4-11 p.m. Closed Mondays.
