- Story Chelsea Forman Photography by Lia Crowe

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
Like Boulevard Magazine on and follow them on

Victoria含羞草研究社檚 Courtney Room has added a littleje ne sais quoi and miam! to the city含羞草研究社檚 dining scene with a restaurant redesign that hums with a French bistro vibe on the lower level and offers fine Parisian dining upstairs.

含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淥ld world meets new含羞草研究社� at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa含羞草研究社檚 newly renovated Courtney Room, which 含羞草研究社� through harmonizing design and menu 含羞草研究社� evokes a sense old Paris within a classically modern setting and a uniquely local expression.

High ceilings, elements of Art Nouveau, artfully tiled entranceway and chevron-patterned wood floor conjure the grand dame hotels of Paris, while the menu further elevates the Parisian experience with locally sourced and seasonal cuisine 含羞草研究社� from both land and sea 含羞草研究社� created with a French flourish.

含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淭he vision and goal was to take the area and turn it into a classically modern space that would tie into the hotel含羞草研究社檚 overall design,含羞草研究社� says Bill Lewis, general manager at Magnolia Hotel & Spa. 含羞草研究社淲e wanted the dining experience to meet the food experience, so we developed the menu to match the space.含羞草研究社�

Two separate menus, one in the downstairs, casually elegant bistro area and one in the upscale, upstairs dining room, offer a range of French-style delicacies from caviar and velour en croute to charcuterie sandwiches. Although created with a French twist, the cuisine pays homage to its locally sourced ingredients with names such as Nootka Rose lentil and Bean Ragout, Yarrow meadows Duck Breast and Cache Creek Beef Tartare.

含羞草研究社�

The Courtney Room renovation was undertaken by Sharon Bortolotto of BBA Design in collaboration with Vancouver-based design agency Glasfurd & Walker.

含羞草研究社淪haron has worked on the aesthetic of hotel for over 20 years 含羞草研究社� continuity in the design exists throughout the hotel, spa and now restaurant,含羞草研究社� says Bill.

The main bar features gray marble and a custom glass oyster station. The elevated upstairs dining room features brasserie-style velvet banquette seating in a carpeted space with white tablecloths and a glassed-in wine room.

Vintage lighting creates a casual elegance reinforced by the restaurant含羞草研究社檚 sophisticated colour palette of smoky grey-blues, taupes and earthen hues. Commissioned abstract expressionist-style artwork by Blu Smith pairs with the space含羞草研究社檚 decorative accents of leather, brass, bronze-beaded curtains and white marble chevron details.

含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淚deally, The Courtney Room will become an iconic dining space that is as timeless, classic and as long-lasting as the hotel. We think we built something exceptionally well designed and well thought out. It含羞草研究社檚 a timeless dining experience in a classic restaurant,含羞草研究社� says Bill.