Accomplished Restaurant Owners Robert Belcham and Tom Doughty of the critically acclaimed Fuel and Campagnolo Restaurants, have opened refuel, a neighborhood restaurant and bar specializing in casual Northwest cuisine. The name “refuel” pays homage to its predecessor Fuel Restaurant and its philosophy towards quality, seasonal ingredients and impeccable service.
The transformation of Fuel Restaurant into refuel neighbourhood restaurant and bar was inspired by freshness. Veering away from an exclusive ‘fine dining’ experience into one that is more accessible, the new space welcomes with a playful, warm design by Marc Bricault that evokes a neighbourhood atmosphere where guests can sit back, socialize and be themselves. Guests may watch the kitchen brigade while sipping a handcrafted cocktail at the 12-seat bar, or gather around a table with friends while listening to music compiled by the experts at Kitsilano’s Zulu Records.
Light fixtures above the bar have been sheathed with twisting Fir veneer to add a natural glow. New oak panels in the dining room are cut with a hip, geometric pattern, and a layer of bright green is revealed underneath. The back wall now houses a white-on-black chalk mural depicting a drawing of a residential garden taken from the 1936 New Garden Encyclopedia. The caption from the original drawing—“The real kitchen garden can mean much to a home.”—can be read enroute to the washrooms. Lightboxes floating above the mural serve as a seasonally changing display for vibrant images of ingredients that inspire the refuel kitchen.
Refuel’s food philosophy focuses on affordable, honest, down-to-earth Northwest fare that celebrates seasonal, local ingredients. Open for lunch and dinner daily, with special brunch features on the weekends, the Refuel menu has an incredible selection of snacks, sides, starters, mains and plates to share that utilize quality ingredients and offer excellent value.
Guests may linger over weekend brunch or cap off an evening with a fun, late-night snack such as devilled eggs, Kennebec fries or crispy pork rinds. The starters menu includes dishes such as creamy onion soup, crispy Humboldt squid and charcuterie from The Cure, while buttermilk fried chicken, a 40 day dry aged beef burger and hand rolled potato gnocchi star on the comforting mains menu. Samplings from the dessert menu include apple and pear crostada with sour cream ice cream and peanut and chocolate parfait.
At the bar, the focus is on thoughtfully prepared, classic cocktails, along with craft beer and approachable wines. The cocktail menu emphasizes a back-to-basics approach and boasts 10 cocktails that are each a classic or a twist on a classic. The new paired-down wine list boasts an expert selection of affordable, crowd pleasing wines that complement the new menu. Along with a great selection of bottles, six whites and five reds are available by the glass. The beer list impresses with over 36 local and international craft brews, including a large selection of canned beer. Rounding out the beverage menu is a selection of canned ciders.
Along with Chef and Proprietor Robert Belcham and Sommelier and Proprietor Tom Doughty, the Refuel team is rounded out with Chef de Cuisine Ted Anderson, Sous Chef Jane Cornborough, Restaurant Manager Katharine Manson, and Bar Manager Rob Scope.
Refuel Restaurant & Bar
Refuel Restaurant & Bar serves affordable, casual Northwest cuisine in a comfortable neighbourhood atmosphere. This welcome addition to Kitsilano encourages diners to relax, have fun and enjoy simple, honest food. Gather around a table with friends in the dining room or sit at the bar and watch the kitchen brigade while sipping a classic cocktail and enjoy music styled by the experts at Zulu Records.
Refuel is open daily from 11:30am – 12am and is located at 1944 West 4th Avenue (at Cypress), Vancouver BC. To view the current menus and for more information please call 604.288.7905, or visit:
