Violeté Opening on Commercial Drive | New European Bistro in Vancouver
Commercial Drive has always been one of Vancouver’s most character-filled neighbourhoods, known for its mix of independent cafés, trattorias, and long-standing local favourites. This April, a new restaurant will add another chapter to the street’s evolving dining scene.
Opening at 1380 Commercial Drive, Violeté is a European-inspired neighbourhood bistro from Vancouver restaurateur Reuben Major and the team behind Van Urban Hospitality, the group responsible for popular spots including Havana, The Flamingo Room, Vancouver Urban Winery, and Belgard Kitchen.
While Major’s portfolio spans a range of dining concepts, Violeté is designed to feel more personal — a restaurant rooted in travel, craft, and the idea of neighbourhood gathering.
At a time when opening an independent restaurant in Vancouver requires a certain amount of bravery, Major is leaning into the energy of Commercial Drive and the neighbourhood dining culture that defines it.
“Spain and Italy have influenced my career profoundly,” says Major. “This restaurant is about sharing that inspiration in a way that feels right for the community around it.”
Inspired by Spain, Italy, and Years of Travel
The concept behind Violeté draws from more than two decades of travel through Europe, particularly Spain and Italy. Those experiences shaped the restaurant’s approach to both food and atmosphere.
Think cooking lessons in centuries-old kitchens in San Sebastián, learning traditional pizza techniques in Naples, and making handmade pasta alongside an 85-year-old nonna in Tuscany. Those moments form the backbone of Violeté’s menu and philosophy — not a strict interpretation of regional cuisine, but a reflection of the flavours and techniques that define European cooking.
A Space Designed for Lingering
The 2,700-square-foot restaurant will seat 78 guests indoors and 16 on the patio, creating a space meant for both everyday dining and relaxed evenings over wine.
Designed by Lemon Lane Interiors, the room blends European warmth with contemporary polish. Expect rounded archways, Roman clay finishes, lush greenery, and Tuscan-inspired tiles — the kind of setting where lunch stretches into the afternoon and a quick glass of wine easily turns into dinner.
Cooking with Fire at the Centre
For Executive Chef and Partner Andrew Hounslow, Violeté also represents a return to the technique that first drew him into the kitchen.
The restaurant inherited a forno oven from the previous tenant, and Hounslow plans to make it the focal point of the menu.
“I’m looking forward to leading a menu that brings me back to the techniques I learned more than 20 years ago,” he says. “That oven will be at the centre of what we’re creating.”
Working alongside Head Chef Andrew Kelly, the kitchen will focus on seasonal ingredients and classic European techniques. Early menu highlights are expected to include dishes such as branzino à la plancha and risotto nero, balancing refined cooking with the kind of comforting plates designed to be shared.
A Wine Program with European Roots
The beverage program reflects Violeté’s European influence as well.
Led by Group Beverage Director Alexa Greenman, the wine list will spotlight Spanish and Italian producers alongside standout wineries from British Columbia.
Bar Manager Taylor Gardiner, formerly wine director at Bar Corso, has curated a list focused on bottles with character and story. Cocktails will draw inspiration from the same regions, designed to be bold in flavour but easy to enjoy over conversation.
Hospitality with a Neighbourhood Feel
Front-of-house operations will be led by General Manager Paris Pelan, who joined the Van Urban group in 2023 at Havana before stepping into a leadership role at Belgard Kitchen.
With a background shaped by a hotelier mother and chef father, Pelan brings both hospitality polish and warmth — exactly the tone the team hopes to create at Violeté.
Another Independent Voice on The Drive
Violeté adds another globally inspired concept to Major’s growing restaurant group, but its biggest contribution may simply be reinforcing what makes Commercial Drive special: independent restaurants that reflect the people behind them.
In a city where restaurant openings often chase the next big trend, Violeté is taking a quieter approach — focusing on craft, community, and the kind of neighbourhood dining that keeps people coming back.
And on Commercial Drive, that still matters.
Violeté Vancouver
Address: 1380 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Website: violetekitchen.com
Instagram: @violetekitchen
