Hospitality veterans Justin and Cristian Isidro to launch new Vancouver restaurant this summer
This summer, Vancouver will soon learn what the “spirit of the tasca” means with the opening of Maria Celeste, a new restaurant brought to us by hospitality veterans and brothers Justin and Cristian Isidro, named in tribute to their mother.
The new restaurant coming to Fraserhood will be an intimate, 36-seat Portuguese restaurant that will act as a tribute to Portugal’s cherished tascas, which the team said are “everyday neighbourhood gathering places, where food, wine, and conversation unfold naturally.”
And while this is a new concept for the brothers, they will both be drawing from their experience in the Vancouver hospitality scene. Justin, who is known as the longtime director of operations of Kissa Tanto and founder of Vìnicola Portugal, will be leading the front-of-house, while Cristian (previously Kissa Tanto, Lisboeta in London, and Cozinha das Flores in Porto) helms the kitchen.
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“Tascas were always about more than what was on the table,” said Justin. “They were about the community and being a welcoming place for everyone. Our goal with Maria Celeste is to capture the familial essence that flows through these culinary institutions scattered throughout Portugal. There’s nothing quite like it in Vancouver yet.”
On the menu, you’ll find dishes that act as a heartfelt homage to Portugal while highlighting B.C.’s seasonal ingredients. While the menu is currently being fine-tuned, early examples include the Bacalhau à Bras (a comforting dish of salted cod and crisp potatoes), Arroz de Marisco (a rich, brothy seafood rice layered with coastal flavours), and the Pastel de Nata (Portugal’s iconic custard tart with a delicate, caramelized top).
Leitao by Cristian Isidro (Maria Celeste)
Justin is also curating an all-Portuguese wine list that will explore the country’s depth and diversity. You’ll find a selection of the country’s varied terroirs, from the structured reds of the Alentejo to the freshness of Vinho Verde and the elegance of the Bairrada. Additionally, the wine program will highlight both historic producers and small-scale growers.
The 1,300 sq. ft. space is being designed by Justin and Cristian together with Studio Roslyn. Once completed, the team shared that it will “reflect the essence of the traditional tasca: honest, familiar, and unadorned, where atmosphere is felt rather than designed.”
“Our food is rooted in the way we lived and ate in Portugal. Simple, generous, and deeply connected to place and memory,” added Cristian. “At Maria Celeste, we cook traditional Portuguese dishes through a modern lens, shaped by our own experiences and the things we love to eat. We’ll be utilizing the fresh ingredients we have right here in B.C., in addition to some unique flavours from home. Our cooking begins with necessity and ends in pleasure. We make the most of every ingredient, allowing one dish to lead into another, carrying forward a deeply Portuguese way of cooking.”
Maria Celeste is expected to open its doors later this summer. Be sure to check back here for more information soon.
Maria Celeste
Address: 4181 Fraser St., Vancouver
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