For nearly two years now, The New Bohemian has sat high on the list of Vancouver’s must-visit establishments, and if you haven’t sampled its many pleasures by now, then you’ve spent the best part of those two years missing out.

The restaurant’s co-owners and co-founders Ivo Staiano and Paul Gibbons are former employees of the West End’s now-departed Balthazar Restaurant Hideaway, an uber-trendy establishment whose unique atmosphere and menu drew packed houses night after night.  

Making the decision to strike out on their own at the peak of Balthazar’s popularity, Ivo and Paul searched for a location at which they could duplicate the Balthazar vibe, and found the perfect spot at Broadway and Trutch in Vancouver’s upscale Kitsilano neighbourhood.

But actually, I do The New Bohemian an injustice by saying that it “duplicated” Balthazar, because the benefit of experience and hindsight has allowed Ivo and Paul to craft their new venture into something even better.

A perfect combination of restaurant and lounge, The New Bohemian is just as appropriate for couples looking for a fancy night out as it is for those who are just looking to have a few drinks and unwind after work.  It somehow manages to be as welcoming to the dressed up as it is to the dressed down, seamlessly blending the two crowds without any member of one or the other looking out of place.  Its candlelit atmosphere, 30-foot-long wooden bar, black-and-white movies playing against the wall and house DJs spinning Thursdays through Sundays send every welcomed guest a strong message that this place is funky, fun, and anything but another cookie-cutter, major conglomerate franchise.

But enough about the decor and atmosphere, on to the most important part–the food!  Even a cursory glance at the menu will tell you that hours upon hours were spent ensuring that the Bohemian’s cuisine would be as unique as the establishment itself.  Organic meats and oceanwise seafood are a major part of the vast range of exotic culinary offerings, which include Spanish Fish Tacos, Fresh Chicken Pasta, and an eclectic array of specialty thin-crust gourmet pizzas.  Vegetarians aren’t left out either, with options like Roasted Squash Ravioli, while those who prefer more traditional fare have choices including thick, perfectly-cooked steaks and a sirloin burger that easily rivals anything else you’ll find on the lower mainland!   

Just here for drinks?  They’ve got you covered there too, with an extensive cocktail menu, a generously-stocked wine cellar, and an impressive selection of draft and bottled beers from around the world.  

My good friend Chris Franco’s birthday party recently brought me back to The New Bohemian for the first time in several months, and the moment I walked through the door I found myself wondering why I hadn’t come back sooner.  And after a few forkfuls of their pesto gnocchi, I was wishing for sufficient flexibility to boot myself hard in the ass for staying away for so long.   Rest assured, that will not be a problem in the future, and if you’re into a truly original dining and/or lounge experience, then it shouldn’t be one for you, either!  

For more information on The New Bohemian, you can visit them at www.thenewbohemian.ca

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