There is a new eatery on Vancouver’s west side. Aptly named the Perch, the restaurant sits atop the Alma Mater Society’s (AMS) Student Nest. For old time UBC alumni, this is the refurbished former Student Union Building (SUB), located next to the Aquatic Centre at 6133 University Boulevard.
After getting off the elevator and walking past lecture rooms and student lounge areas, I saw it. The Perch is open, roomy and bright with floor to ceiling windows and an outside patio that looks both north and west.
Great views of the North shore mountains await from the Perch patio.
As one might expect from any top end restaurant, The Perch is dedicated to sourcing ingredients locally. They buy from local farms as well as the UBC farm, which also operates a rooftop garden, which sits only a few meters away from the restaurant. You can’t beat that for freshness.
There are many features, which make this restaurant unique. It is completely sustainable and non-profit – the earnings a go back into the AMS student services. But don’t let that and its more-than-reasonable prices make you think that there is anything lesser here. Chef de Cuisine, Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, formerly of Pear Tree in Burnaby, serves dishes that would be at home in any downtown restaurant. The Perch has an impressive wine list which features local and international offerings as well as craft beers and a full cocktail bar.
The menu continues with the local theme and features organic produce and Ocean Wise seafood. Choices include items such as Pan Roasted Steelhead Trout, Pacific Cod, Tamarind Braised Pork Cheeks with sweet curry mayonnaise, a Twice-Cooked Duck Leg and Grilled Flank Steak. Not surprisingly, the menu changes seasonally based on availability. In addition, breads, pastries and desserts are all made in-house daily
Those gathered were treated to tasty samples that included: Potato & Corn Soup, Wild Rice Rösti Fries with harissa mayonnaise, Crispy Fried Chicken served with honey dill, pickled garlic-scape ranch, Seared Rare Albacore Tuna atop German potato salad (one of my favourites) and finally the best Lemon Tart ever.
Perch Manager, Terry Hayashi, formerly of Raincity Grill, COAST and Bridges, is clearly passionate about his latest undertaking. He is very proud of all the restaurant’s features including its sustainability, using less energy and creating less waste. For these reasons, the Nest hopes to be awarded LEED+ Platinum certification.
Thanks to Town Hall for the invite to this event. The Perch is destined to become a favourite especially for those on campus and anyone living south of the downtown core.
