Forthcoming West End openings: seafood spot Hook, Pacifico Pizza, vegetarian Lucha Verde

While many Vancouverites expressed sadness about news of closures in the West End, there's a wave of openings about to arise that will bring some reinvigoration to the neighbourhood. Here are some brief details with more to come in the future.

On the hook

Sadly, Milestones English Bay closed down after a quarter-century at 1210 Denman Street late last year. But the departure of that longrunning establishment has provided an opportnity for Hook restaurant to open up in its place.

As the recently opened Louisiana-style The Holy Crab seafood-boil restaurant and the Daily Catch's addition of a ready-to-eat menu to its Denman location have proven, seafood is one way to have a surefire hit in the area.

The seafood restaurant Hook will be opening up not only across the street from the beachside, lineup-drawing Cactus Club, it'll neighbour the BoatHouse Restaurant, which serves a menu of seafood and steaks.

A new slice

While we recently listed a number of pizzerias that have been opening up in Vancouver, here's another one to add to the list.

Pacifico Pizza is preparing to open at 1708 Davie Street, in the location formerly occupied by Relish Gourmet Burgers.

The pizzeria offers hand-tossed thin crust, flame-baked Neapolitan pizza. Their menu covers specialty pizzas, such as pollo rustica (grilled chicken breast, artichoke hearts, smoked gouda, mozzarella, cilantro) and smoked wild B.C. salmon (with capers, red onions, and fresh dill), as well as signature selections, such as margherita, Caprese, and Hawaiian.

They also serve two types of calzones: meat-based (salami and ham) or vegetarian (artichoke hearts, green peppers, mushrooms, and more). 

Pacifico has a location at 970 Smithe, and we're awaiting confirmation if they are relocating or opening a second location on Davie.

The New Brunswick–based Relish closed down that location on December 30. However, they still have a location open at 2290 Commercial Drive.

Veritable verde

When Lolita's South of the Border Cantina had its final call on April 8 after 12 years in business, many a food-lover mourned the loss of the well-attended Mexican-inspired eatery.

Fear not, true believers and eaters, for help is on the way to save the day.

Despite the area's body-conscious and gym-happy orientation, there has been curiously little to none in the way of health-food or vegetarian and vegan eateries. The forthcoming Lucha Verde will fill that much-neglected need with a new vegetarian, Mexican-influenced restaurant. More details to come on this one, and definitely one to look forward to.