For over 30 years, Teahouse Restaurant has been defined by its breathtaking location in Stanley Park.  Today, that’s about to change as new Executive Chef François Gagnon releases his new menu.

Since joining the Sequoia Company of Restaurants to head up the team at the Teahouse, Gagnon has completely reinvented the cuisine.  According to Gagnon, “The new menu has a distinct, ‘classic bistro’ feel with dishes like Cassoulet, Roasted Sablefish and Steak and Frites.  I wanted to build a menu that was primarily bistro; one which would allow traditional dishes to stand out and let the ingredients speak for themselves.” Other menu highlights include: Qualicum Beach Scallops and the AAA Tenderloin. “Even though we have created an entirely new menu,” says Gagnon, “We did keep some Ferguson Point classics like the Carrot Soup with Crème Fraîche to keep the tradition going.”

To say that Gagnon comes to the Teahouse with an impressive resume is an understatement.  First apprenticing with François Rousseau in Quebec, Gagnon made the jump to France where he trained under acclaimed chef Joel Garault, of Hotel Hermitage as well as Roger Verger of Le Moulin de Mougins.  Since then, he’s never looked back.  In 2002 he began working with Rob Feenie, both at Lumiere as Chef de Partie and at Feenie’s as Chef de Cuisine.  Soon after he made his mark at Blue Water Cafe as Executive Sous Chef alongside Frank Pabst and most recently he was Executive Chef at Cin Cin Ristorante.  Says Gagnon, “The opportunity to be at the Teahouse is unlike anything I’ve experienced in my career.  This is an exciting time, I feel it’s my kitchen to do what I want.”

According to Sequoia Group of Restaurants, bringing in Gagnon as the new Executive Chef was the “final piece” of the Teahouse re-branding, which began in May 2009. To celebrate they will be lighting up the Teahouse and going all out for the festive season. Other upcoming events where Gagnon can show off his new menu include the launch event of Senator Larry Campbell’s new book A Thousand Dreams and a children’s Christmas breakfast for the Canucks Autism Network.

Located at Ferguson Point in Stanley Park, the Teahouse began operations in 1979. Boasting fresh local ingredients and classic bistro cuisine, the Teahouse is known for comfortable, simple dining… as well as the best views in the city.