LE CROCODILE BY ROB FEENIE SET TO OFFICIALLY OPEN
Vancouver, BC, June 19, 2024 – Acclaimed Chef Rob Feenie will open the restaurant’s iconic glass doors and welcome guests inside to experience his interpretation of contemporary French cooking. Feenie, with his team, has created a menu which pays homage to its legacy while embracing Feenie’s West Coast culinary roots.
“It has been an incredible journey taking the reins of Le Crocodile from my good friend and mentor Michel Jacob, who is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement.” says Feenie. “My goal has been to create a menu that blends classic French dishes with new, contemporary options that reflect our beautiful West Coast – from fresh ingredients to unique flavours that I love.”
The kitchen team, led by Feenie, also includes Marc Marayag (previously Bar Susu, Umu) as chef de cuisine, award-winning Wendy Boys as consulting executive pastry chef, and returning Mark Pugsley as pastry chef.
The menu will feature a variety of beloved dishes, as well as seasonal creations highlighting Feenie’s acclaimed French-West Coast culinary-style. Guests can feast on classics such as: Steak Tartare (au boeuf mode) with grilled levain; Escargot de Bourgogne with pernod parsley garlic butter, and Small Victory baguette; Grilled Veal Tenderloin Medallions with classic Le Crocodile morel sauce; and a legacy guest favourite, Dover Sole, deboned table side served with fine herbes and caper beurre blanc.
Seasonal creations may include: a Red & Green Endive Salad with apples, roquefort, candied walnuts, and honey vinaigrette; a Kobujime Hamachi, white soy, yuzu, chili, and celery ice; a Seafood Medley with lobster, Hokkaido scallops, and prawns in a tomato saffron broth; and a Halibut with artichoke a la barigoule, and pomme parisienne.
Accomplished hospitality veteran and general manager Steve Edwards (previously Homer Street Cafe, Ancora, Boulevard) leads a front-of-house team comprised of assistant general manager William Mulholland (previously Acquafarina, Blue Water Cafe) and many longtime, returning Le Crocodile staff members, including award-winning wine director Jill Spoor.
“When guests walk through our doors, there will be many familiar faces,” adds Edwards. “In addition to exceptional food, consistent and exemplary service defined Le Crocodile for decades. We’re thrilled to be able to retain and maintain the level of service people have come to know and love, starting day one at Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie.”
The wine program, curated by both Spoor and Edwards, will be rooted in France, with prolific wines from around the world.
Designed by award-winning David Hepworth of SITU Design, whose notable projects have included L’Abbattoir, Feenie’s, and Lumière, the 80-seat restaurant (plus a 24-seat patio) has undergone a transformation in the past two months. The interior balances art deco elements with Provence-style elegance, demonstrated by a stunning geometric floor, red accent booths, a backdrop of warm, natural wood, and modern curves throughout.
The dining room is filled with beautiful new millwork, banquette seating with plush velvet, and soft lighting. There is also a semi-private alcove set against a blue-hued floral backdrop and curtains. Design accents include faux-croc embossing on the seats with a wicker back and hints of yellow – an ode to the last four decades.
Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie’s branding is by acclaimed local agency Hyphen Communications. Agency founder David Martin commissioned the creation of a new calligraphy-style crocodile for the restaurant logo that pays homage to the Japanese-flair used both at the original Le Crocodile and by Feenie.
“Everything has come full circle. I first stepped inside Le Crocodile at the age of 23, not knowing if cooking was my future. Now I’ll be stepping inside the restaurant as its co-owner and executive chef,” adds Feenie. “I am excited to work with such an accomplished team and once again prepare my favourite dishes with a team that is passionate about fine dining. I know our guests will love the room and the experience we have created for them.”
At launch, Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie will open Tuesday to Saturday, from 4 p.m. for dinner service, with lunch service to come. Reservations will open on OpenTable starting June 25, 2024.
Website to also launch on June 25, 2024 - www.lecrocodilerestaurant.com.
About Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie
Located in downtown Vancouver, Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie welcomes guests to experience his interpretation of contemporary French cooking – paying homage to its legacy while embracing Rob Feenie’s West Coast culinary roots.
Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie | Suite 100 – 909 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC V6Z 2N2
Instagram: @lecrocodilerestaurant | www.lecrocodilerestaurant.com
About Chef Rob Feenie
Chef Rob Feenie is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed Chef. A winner of Iron Chef America, four-time Iron Chef Canada winner, Rob has authored cookbooks, is a mainstay of Canada’s Food Network and has worked with some of the world's top chefs. His last restaurants, Lumiere and Feenie’s, garnered critical and public success, including the prestigious Relais Gourmands designation, Traditions & Gaulité, four stars from the Mobil Travel Guide and the AAA Diamond Award.
Rob’s interest in cooking began during a high school exchange program in Europe. He attended Dubrulle Culinary Institute (now part of The Art Institute of Vancouver). After graduation, Rob worked as a sous chef at various restaurants, including The Rim Rock Café and Oyster Bar in Whistler, British Columbia and The Cherrystone Cove and Le Crocodile in Vancouver. While at Le Crocodile, he worked stages in France and the United States. Later, Rob opened Accolade Restaurant in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Toronto.
In July 2004 he was invited to New York by the Canadian Consulate to create a signature lunch and dinner at the famous James Beard House in celebration of Canada Day. In February 2009, Rob also became the first "Hokanson Chef in Residence" at NAIT.
Rob has published four cookbooks, starred in New Classics with Rob on The Food Network Canada, and in 2005, was the first Canadian to win on the popular television show Iron Chef America by defeating Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Additionally, Rob spent several years as Cactus Club Café’s food concept designer and Executive Chef. He was instrumental in transforming the menu into one of Canada's top casual dining experiences.
Rob was most recently a judge on several Food Network shows, including Canada’s Wall of Chefs and Top Chef.
Media Contact:
Sophia Cheng
604-828-3102