Chambar Redux

Chambar has moved—two doors down, into a new, expansive space with a doubled kitchen, leather banquettes, Omer Arbel chandeliers and a suave, sunny patio perfect for a casually sophisticated downtown lunch (Chambar’s dinner-only days are past).

For said lunch, start with Medzes ($11): bright bites of beet with spry mint dressing, sweet raisin-carrot slaw, eggplant and toothsome halloumi scooped onto crunchy fried pita. Next are thin, rare, lemon grass-roasted slices of Bouf Oriental ($14) topped with a balanced riot of Thai basil, mint, cucumber and green papaya. Try the Mini Mechoui ($18)—grilled, sumac-spiced kafta that’s butter-tender and amazing atop a spot of tahini yogurt. Chocolate mousse ($11) for dessert is a modern take; a light pot de crème is layered with foamy dark chocolate and a tasty white crumble.

Since patio-lounging sans cocktail is a scepterless reign, the bar provides epically regal drinks (the Ploughman’s Old Fashioned sees Flor de Cana 5yr rum and spiced wild honey poured over a coconut ice sphere—all hail). —Adrienne Matei

Chambar, 568 Beatty St., Vancouver, 604-879-7119, www.chambar.com