Today, Lea and Justin Ault of Vancouver’s hip Hapa Izakaya restaurant group, reveal Yaletown’s newest restaurant. Hapa Izakaya is now open in Yaletown at 1193 Hamilton Street. Hapa Yaletown is open for dinner nightly from 5:30pm. For reservations phone 604-681-4272. For more information visit hapaizakaya.com. Hapa’s third restaurant launches hot on the heels of the expansion of its original Robson Street location.
Chef Hokuto Yamanaka made the move from Robson Street to open the new restaurant. Chef Yamanaka’s menu includes Hapa favorites: original Ebi Mayo (tempura prawns, tossed in a spicy mayonnaise sauce), Gindara Saikyo Yaki (sablefish, marinated in sake and miso and baked), Saba (marinated mackerel sashimi, seared table-side). Fresh sheet features making their debut in Yaletown include Tai Herb Salad (cured Japanese snapper on a mikuni salad with a citrus dressing), Chan Chan Yaki (local spring salmon, miso mushroom sauce and rice cooked in a Korean-style hot stone bowl), Beef Kasuzuke (sake-marinated and roasted AAA beef), Yaki Kamo (roasted duck breast with grainy mustard miso, pickled beets and cauliflower), Burikuwayaki (Teriyaki-glazed yellowtail) and for dessert Sake-poached pear with matcha ice cream.
With the install of a Le Verre de Vin wine preservation system, expected in February at all three locations, Hapa will have a comprehensive sake list with over 20 premium sakes available by the glass. A first for Vancouver.
The Aults worked once again with M Studio to create a more urban spin on the successful Hapa interior design scheme. The intimate 65 seat space, complete with Hapa’s signature open kitchen, features Tom Dixon Beat Lights over the bar as a modern, Asian inspired feature. The overall palette is quiet but impactful – gold and dark brown, reflective materials, rough hewn wood. Hockey fans especially will appreciate two large flat screens over the bar.
Back at 1479 Robson Street, and as of October 15, 2009, the space is 30 percent larger with an expanded lounge and increased ability to welcome larger parties. A more feminine spin on the original design was taken in the new lounge with ornate Japanese themed wall covering, iridescent tile on the walls and bar, chopstick feature ceiling and a dramatic red floor. It’s offset by three flat screen TV’s in the new lounge so no guest has to miss out on Canuck and Olympic action.
About Hapa Izakaya
When Lea and Justin Ault introduced Hapa in 2003 they exploded the izakaya concept in Vancouver. Hapa Izakaya’s combination of a sexy room, well-priced portions of Japanese tapas, cocktails and premium sake took the city by storm; Hapa set the bar high for the host of contenders that followed. Today, Hapa continues to be a standout for its singular presentation of Japanese food in a city where Asian dining endures stiff competition. It remains the place to go when you’re in the mood for a unique blend of food, fun and culture. All three locations — Robson, Kitsilano and now Yaletown — are open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Reservations by phone are recommended. Visit www.hapaizakaya.com for information.
