Mystery Restaurants of Vancouver

[snacky_cat]

I was truckin' around the neighbourhood today and passed Diavolo in the 1200 block of Richards, on the east side. I've walked past this place a few times since it opened a year or so ago and it confounds me every time. It took a few passes for me to figure out it was even a restaurant at first - the windows are frosted over, the door is usually closed and there's no sign of a menu anywhere outside. I only figured out that food was served there when a patio suddenly appeared outside one day, complete with table settings. No patrons in sight, however.

Google searching the place turns up very little. EveVancouver has the only blurb mentioning actual food items anywhere on the internet. All the other hits seem to indicate the place usually plays host to cocktail party/mixers for the cheesy club and tech industry set.

Anyway, it got me thinking...

1. Has anybody ever been in this place? Does anyone even know anything about it?

2. What other mystery restaurants are out there?

Tell us about the places you've passed that made you stop and think "Is that a restaurant or a front for money laundering?" - the places that are never open, the places that you never see anyone in...

[kontemporary]

Well I can tell you Diavolo is more a loungish/bar type place, rather than a restaurant with the actual food. Think marmalade or Sip. Haven't been there myself.

I know for many people that Hapa Izakaya is a mystery restaurant - certainly because people cannot look inside from the painted over windows and see the table settings and food.

[tofino]

Had the pleasure of a late evening in there myself. With a large group (around 10) we were escorted into a side room, which looked like a boardroom and instantly 4 servers walked in to pour wine for all of us. After what seemed like a very short time, a huge platter of uncut strawberries appeared with a large bowl of fresh whipped cream for us to dip into - decadence!!! Only time there, very different inside, lots of private rooms, but for those who are 'allowed' in, you are well looked after!!

[mtigges]

There was another. On Esplanade just west of Lonsdale was a great little izakaya style Japanese bistro. Very bland on the outside, stylish, but black door, black window, very small signage, only the name of the place. I can't remember the name, a Japanese word, but no obvious notion that it was a restaurant. It turned into a gawdy cheap-ass left-over fish sushi joint about 8 months in.

[BCinBC]

On the block of Yew between Cornwall and York, on the east side beside Urban Well, there used to be a deli called the Bungalow. Blue paint / beach casual / minimalist theme. It was quite clearly in the business of selling food, but other than my roommate and myself, I do not think the place every got any other patrons - yet there seemed to be trucks pulling in and out of the back alley all the time.

I liked the sandwiches, and the guy behind the counter was cool. He watched a lot of soccer, and there was always this earthy-smelling smoke in the room . Anyway, we figured it to be some sort of money-laundering operation. It turned into a juice bar I think, then a few other things. Since moving away from the neighborhood I've lost track though.

[sanrensho]

There was another.  On Esplanade just west of Lonsdale was a great little izakaya style Japanese bistro.  Very bland on the outside, stylish, but black door, black window, very small signage, only the name of the place.  I can't remember the name, a Japanese word

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I believe it was Akiyoshi, although I never made it there.

Does anybody know the bylaws concerning signage for restaurants and other businesses here in Vancouver? There are a few ramen restaurants in Tokyo with no signage, blacked out windows, all black exterior. The only distinguishing sign is a large bone hung at the entrance. They do very well, AKAIK.

Edited August 22, 2005 by sanrensho (log)

[lauraf]

There's a restaurant on the North side of Broadway East of Arbutus, I think it's called Accents. In the years I've been driving Broadway I have yet to see a human being enter or exit. Anyone actually been inside? Eaten there?

[BCinBC]

Actually I have been there, several years ago - it was recommended to me by a Russian co-worker (at the time), he said it was his favourite place. Since it was in the Entertainment Book, we decided to give it a try.

We made reso's, but the place was slammed that night (most likely it was a Sat) so we had to wait. The hostess / waitress / owner? was quite surly, on the verge of being rude, which did not give off the best of initial impressions.

I can't recall what N had, but I had beef tournedos for my main. Ordered MR, received bloody rare. Didn't want to refire them, in case they came back well done so I ate them anyway. They were fine. Insanely huge wine list as I recall.

I know what you mean, there doesn't seem to be a lot of door-swinging going on, but it was chock full the night we were there. Perhaps there's a back entrance??

[privatejet]

I was truckin' around the neighbourhood today and passed Diavolo in the 1200 block of Richards, on the east side. I've walked past this place a few times since it opened a year or so ago and it confounds me every time. It took a few passes for me to figure out it was even a restaurant at first - the windows are frosted over, the door is usually closed and there's no sign of a menu anywhere outside. I only figured out that food was served there when a patio suddenly appeared outside one day, complete with table settings. No patrons in sight, however.

I have been curious about this place too as I walk by there numerous times a week. Anyone have any more insight into the menu? The difference between this and Hapa is not there is not a sign of any customers. Occasionally tow old(er) men (the same ones) playing backgammon on the patio.

[chef koo]

i can't rember what it was called but there was a hot dog joint near the water front in north vancouver. i think it was called "captain cates". i used to go there all the time when i was in high school. it was really hidden. it was basically a portable you see at schools but with a kitchen and a bathroom. it was near the marina so most of the customers were the people that worked around there. i can't quite remember how i found it but i think it had to do with a car rally.

[Sam Salmon]

There's a restaurant on the North side of Broadway East of Arbutus, I think it's called Accents.  In the years I've been driving Broadway I have yet to see a human being enter or exit.  Anyone actually been inside?  Eaten there?

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I've walked by and seen some people inside-very Euro-from-the-last-century looking clientele.

[Vancitygirl]

There's a restaurant on the North side of Broadway East of Arbutus, I think it's called Accents.  In the years I've been driving Broadway I have yet to see a human being enter or exit.  Anyone actually been inside?  Eaten there?

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I've walked by and seen some people inside-very Euro-from-the-last-century looking clientele.

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That is so funny - I am stealing that phrase! I too have seen this crowd!

[Keith Talent]

Call me dense, by last century as in Napolean, or as in Coco Chanel? This century is too new to refer to the last century as being five years ago.