On the corner of Cambie Village in Vancouver, a restaurant that makes people want to walk in at first sight has recently opened quietly. It is June on Cambie. The restaurant looks low-key and gentle from the outside, but once you open the door, you will feel the warmth. The name "June" also comes from the founder's thoughts and tribute to his mother.
French fine cuisine and cocktails
The menu is based on French cuisine, and is a fusion of French and West Coast cuisine, but with some free and innovative combinations. For example, their signature Crab Dip with Spiced Madeleine, which I thought was just a creative snack, but after eating it, I found that it was a good match. Madeleine cakes have a little spice and sweetness, and they are surprisingly balanced with the crab dip. It is familiar but also a little surprising. There is another new dish, Hamachi, which is finely cut and tastes smooth and refreshing. It is accompanied by a little flower petals and the aroma of black currant wood oil. It has both fruity and light forest flavors. It is not fancy, but it is made with great details. If you like classic dishes, their fried frog legs are also worth a try. The soul of French tradition, frog legs, the skin is fried crispy, and the meat inside is still tender and moist, not dry.
June's wine list is not just a supporting role to go with the meal, each glass is a protagonist with personality and attitude. For example, the "Orchids Highball" has a light floral scent, light but not thin, not too sweet, and is quite suitable for appetizers or seafood. Another glass of "Sunflower Punch" is added with anise-flavored Pernod, sunflower syrup and fresh lemon. The taste is layered and more memorable. After drinking it, the corners of your mouth will unconsciously rise. It is a cocktail full of summer flavor. What's even better is that June has a DJ playing live music every night. The sound is not too loud, but just enough to fill the entire space, making people unconsciously sit a little longer, chat a little more, and then order another glass.
From the restaurant to the underground bar
June's space was designed by Mexican architect Héctor Esrawe. The overall style combines the French country feel of red wine tones with neat modern lines, and is paired with green glazed tiles and warm wooden ceilings to create a "comfortable and unique" atmosphere. However, it is not the kind of "art space" that makes people feel inaccessible. Instead, it is very suitable for sitting and chatting for a long time. This is like the home of a designer with a taste for life, and every place is worth slowly appreciating. The overall feeling is that after entering, people will want to put away their mobile phones, sit down to have a meal, drink a glass of wine, and watch the people around them smile.
If you don't want to leave right after eating, you can try to go to the basement of the store, where there is a vinyl listening bar called Lala. The way to get in is a bit like a secret base. You have to go through a space that looks like an ice storage, and then lift a thick curtain to see the real entrance. The bar space is not too big, but it is very comfortable. The light is a yellow light that makes people relax as soon as they sit down, and the music played is the store's collection of vinyl. The bartending style is relatively classic, and the overall atmosphere is like another version of the restaurant upstairs, but it has changed from warm to late at night. The name Lala is the nickname of the daughter of the boss's other partner, and it also continues the tradition of naming after female relatives. Like June, it adds some emotional weight to the overall space.
June on Cambie is not a gimmick, nor does it rush to grab your attention. It is the kind of place that you come to once and want to come again. A restaurant that is more than a restaurant, a place that makes you want to slow down. In this city, everyone is busy with life, but sometimes we need a place to remind us how to feel life, and June is that place.
