Hapa Izakaya

(Vancouver, BC)  March 1, 2012 – Hapa Izakaya is pleased to receive the coveted Best Restaurant award in the 8th annual Westside Business Awards (WBA) of Distinction held by the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce.

Owners, Justin and Lea Ault were recognized for Hapa Izakaya Kitsilano, a 95-seat restaurant spanning a large bar, lounge, and in warmer months, a 25-seat patio, just steps away from Kitsilano Beach, at 1516 Yew Street.

“Hapa Kitsilano has been committed to bringing innovative and elegantly presented izakaya-style dishes to the Kits neighbourhood for over seven years now,” said Justin Ault. “We are thrilled to be recognized by the Westside Business Awards as among the very best.”   He adds, “While it may sound like a cliché, this award really belongs to our staff. Their talent and hospitality is what gives each Hapa its own unique style and personality. Lea and I are extremely proud of their efforts.”

Nominated by the public, the WBA recognize excellence in the achievements of local businesses and serve to advance the high standards that the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce promotes.

The 2012 WBA winners were announced at an awards gala on February 23, 2012 at the Jewel Ballroom.

For more information, please visit HapaIzakaya.com or follow @HapaIzakaya on Twitter.

(Vancouver, BC)  February 28, 2012 – Lea and Justin Ault of Vancouver’s Hapa Izakaya restaurant group are pleased to announce the opening of a Hapa Izakaya in the Coal Harbour neighbourhood, on Wednesday, March 7, 2012.  The transformation is already under way at 909 West Cordova (Waterfront Centre), at their former Hapa Umi restaurant location, across the street from the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Hapa Umi, opened as a higher-end, “sister” restaurant to Vancouver’s famed Hapa Izakayas, in March of 2011.

Over the past year, critics and guests alike have praised Hapa Umi for its wide range of exceptional Japanese and Japanese-inspired dishes including a large selection of Ocean WiseÔ sustainable sashimi and sushi favorites.  After listening to a great deal of guest feedback, however, the Aults felt there was an even greater, unmet demand for an izakaya-style restaurant in the Coal Harbour area.

Since Hapa prides itself on exceeding the needs and expectations of its guests, the Aults felt it was appropriate to adapt and transform the upscale Hapa Umi into a Hapa Izakaya and offer guests the experience that the Hapa brand name is known for.

The Coal Harbour menu will offer all of the Hapa favourites, from satisfying Ishi-Yaki with ground pork, tomato, chive, lettuce and egg in a hot stone bowl, to delectably light AAA Beef Tataki drizzled in sesame-chili sauce, as well as Ocean Wise seafood forward dishes inspired by kaiseki trained, executive chef Nobu Watanabe.

Hapa’s well-edited lunch menu promises the corporate crowd efficient elegance, from Edamame Ravioli and Tempura Oysters, to Polenta Fries and Short Rib Lettuce Wraps. Hapa Izakaya Coal Harbour will offer great value with most dishes priced between $8 and $12.

The 150-seat restaurant spans a large bar, lounge, and private dining room, and in warmer months, a 50-seat patio. This sleek and modern room is outfitted with textured fabrics, luminous tiles, warm walnut finishes, and sexy leather seating overlooking the vibrant harbour.

Hapa Umi will have its final dinner service on Saturday, March 3. The location will reopen as Hapa Izakaya Coal Harbour for dinner at 5pm on Wednesday, March 7, with lunch service beginning on Monday, March 12.

The Hapa team is excited about these changes and is confident that the switch over will be well received by its long-time regulars, as well as the thriving visitor and business crowds in the area.

For more information, please visit HapaIzakaya.com or follow @HapaIzakaya on Twitter. 

About Hapa Izakaya

When Lea and Justin Ault introduced Hapa in 2003 they exploded the izakaya concept in Vancouver.  Hapa Izakaya’s winning combination of a sexy room, well-priced portions of Japanese tapas, cocktails and premium sake took the city by storm; Hapa set the bar high for the host of contenders that followed. In 2010 Hapa was the first izakaya to join the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise™ seafood conservation program and one of only a handful of Japanese restaurant partners in the program to date. Hapa Izakaya’s Kitsilano and Robson locations are open daily from 5:30; the Yaletown location is open from 5pm. Hapa Izakaya Coal Harbour will be open Monday-Friday from 11:30am and from 5pm on Saturdays.

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Tanis Tsisserev
T2 Communications Inc for Hapa Izakaya
604.841.8095 / tanis@t2communications.ca

Jade Pover
Marketing Manager
Hapa Restaurant Group
604.518.1274 / jadepover@hapaizakaya.com

If you know chefs and restaurant folks, you know it isn’t easy to get them out of bed bright and early on a Saturday morning, but that’s exactly what 19 Hapa staffers did on September 17th to volunteer for the Vancouver Aquarium’s 6th Annual Great Chefs Clean-Up.  Team Hapa collected almost 12 kg of garbage/recyclables/compost, which contributed to the 162 kg total of litter collected by hundreds of volunteers.  Way to go Daiji, Kosuke, Shogo, Daisuke, Jun, Takumi, Iwa, Hokuto, Kin-chan, Ben-chan, Miyuki, Kana, James, Yuki, Sumiko, Chris, Erika, Erica and Naho!

Tonari Gumi, a local non-profit serving the Vancouver community since the 1970′s, is hosting its Tenth Annual Premium Sake Tasting Night on October 1st at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel.  Hapa Izakaya will be serving some favourite dishes to complement the more than 30 varieties of sake and plum wines that will be available.  Two local brewers will also be on hand offering a taste of Canadian-made sake.  All proceeds from this gala evening will go to support the operations of Tonari Gumi.

Tickets and more information are available by contacting (604) 687-2172 or info@jcva.bc.ca

Have you always wanted to learn more about sake?  Here’s your chance!  Every Wednesday night (with the exception of  Sep 7) at Hapa Umi, sip and savor fine sake paired perfectly with tasting dishes from Hapa Umi’s kitchen.  Sake Sessions begin at 6:30pm and tickets are $59 per person, including tax and gratuity.   To reserve click and register.