The Perch restaurant will bring fine dining to new AMS Nest at UBC

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      Most people associate the phrase “on-campus dining” with images of burgers, sandwiches, and greasy pizza.

      But a new eatery going up this summer at UBC’s Point Grey campus is hoping to change that.

      “The Perch is going to be an upscale restaurant, lounge and patio featuring West Coast cuisine made with Old World techniques,” said Terry Hayashi, who will be the restaurant’s general manager.

      The restaurant is scheduled to open to the public in late July or early August, and will offer original dishes made with local ingredients.

      The menu will include dishes like bison short ribs, fresh Pacific cod chowder, and an organic broccoli and kale Caesar salad, among others.

      “We’re focusing on the regional product that’s available and then bringing it to the forefront in some classical methods,” Hayashi said, adding that the new restaurant will focus on purchasing from producers committed to sustainability.

      This purchasing philosphy is in line with The Perch's home—UBC’s new state-of-the-art student union building, the AMS Nest.

      UBC's new student union building, the AMS Nest, is opening in different phases throughout the summer. The state-of-the-art facility is hoping to achieve a LEED platinum certification.
      UBC Alma Mater Society

      The Nest is hoping to achieve a LEED Platinum certification for sustainability, and is pushing for all its venues to promote sustainable practices.

      “The Perch is really going to be our crown jewel,” said Ryan Bissell, the executive chef who supervises the nine restaurants going into the new building.

      According to Bissell, The Perch will provide a unique dining experience on a university campus, offering “high-end service, food and atmosphere”.

      The high-end dishes are the brainchild of chef de cuisine Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, who was part of the award-winning Pear Tree restaurant before joining The Perch last November.

      The addition of Stieffenhofer-Brandson will ensure the high-quality preparation of ingredients and seasonality of every dish, Bissell said.

      Along with top-quality food, The Perch also hopes to differentiate itself from other eateries on campus by offering spectacular vistas of the North Shore mountains and a lounge patio that sits 120 people.

      But one thing will make it fit in to the on-campus experience—affordability.

      According to general manager Hayashi, the restaurant will be “pricing with students in mind.”

      Large plate dishes will average out at $18 to $20, which appeals not only to students, but also to the university’s staff and faculty, as well as residents from surrounding neighborhoods.

      “The students are always the focus, but it’s not limited to the students,” Hayashi said, adding that anyone who comes to The Perch will get great bang for their buck.

      “They’re getting amazing deals,” Hayashi said. “The same dish we are serving for $21 would probably cost them $29 or $30 downtown.”

      For executive chef Bissell, providing high quality meals for affordable prices is almost an ideological stance.

      “I believe that everybody should have access to high quality food, regardless of price” he said.

      With a great location, top quality dishes, and affordable prices, Bissell is confident that The Perch will make a dent in the Vancouver restaurant scene.

      “We’re going after some of the top restaurants in Vancouver,” he said.

      Comments

      9 Comments

      Affordable?

      Jun 4, 2015 at 6:15am

      I'm sorry, but $18-20? Is that what that campus really needs? As if life weren't expensive enough for students (those who aren't getting their way paid).

      D'oh

      Jun 4, 2015 at 6:42am

      Fine dining, what every student can afford. I've got a great idea. Let's put lots of high end shops at a university!

      Vancouver... ....for the rich

      Seriously?!?

      Jun 4, 2015 at 9:35am

      UBC is laying off frontline employees in HR to cover over-spending yet not one media outlet has mentioned that. What we have seen are puff pieces like this. The amount of money being wasted at UBC is staggering, especially since they have become a real estate& development company that happens to run a university. Bureaucracy running amok combined with absurd salaries puts UBC up there with Translink as well as the Ministries of Health & Education in terms of misspending taxpayer's money.

      AMS Student Nest

      Jun 5, 2015 at 12:52pm

      Just to clarify, this is a Student Association initiative, paid for by and for the students.
      Input from students was key in the development of all aspects, including food outlets and offerings.
      The Perch, along with all other food outlets at the AMS Nest, are outstanding in quality, sustainability and selection for students, staff, and all in Vancouver who love amazing food in stunning surroundings.
      A welcome addition!

      Lost Cause

      Jun 7, 2015 at 1:16pm

      This "fine dining" experience at UBC has been tried before and has always failed. Look for a few busy lunches lots of completely dead evenings.

      What was the definition of insanity again?

      Lost Cause

      Jun 7, 2015 at 1:19pm

      Those arm tats are super ugly.

      Quasi

      Jun 7, 2015 at 6:31pm

      UBC has gone downhill since they took the arcade out of the SUB basement.

      ACMESalesRep

      Jun 9, 2015 at 5:34pm

      Lost Cause: A lot of restaurant concepts have been tried before at UBC and failed – at the hands of UBC Food Services. The AMS has a far better track record.

      pete the parking guy

      Jun 10, 2015 at 11:56am

      Only at UBC would a 20 dollar lunch appeal to students looking for affordability.

      ...pass the Bison Ribs Jimmy, I am late for my income inequality lecture....