Highly anticipated Portuguese restaurant to open in Vancouver next week
After sharing the news back in April, Portuguese restaurant Maria Celeste has shared that it’s preparing to open its doors in Vancouver next week.
Brought to us by hospitality veterans and brothers Justin and Cristian Isidro, the new restaurant is a tribute to Portugal’s cherished tascas, a.k.a. everyday neighbourhood gathering places, where food, wine, and conversation unfold naturally.
Maria Celeste
Named after their mother, the 1,300 sq. ft. restaurant will seat 36 and draw on the experience of both brothers, with Justin being the former longtime director of operations at Michelin-starred Kissa Tanto, Meo, and Bao Bei, and founder of Vinicola Portular, and Cristian having previously worked in kitchens like Kissa Tanto, Lisboeta in London, and Cozinha das Flores in Porto.
“Growing up in Portugal, tascas were where everyone ended up on any given day because they were all about welcoming the whole community,” said Justin. “That’s the feeling we want the moment people walk through our doors – there’s always a seat for you at our table. It’s been a long road to get here, and we can’t wait to finally share this room with our friends, family, and guests.”
When it comes to food, the menu is built to be shared. Ă€ la carte options will include Cristian’s “Pratos,” which pay homage to Portugal through B.C.’s seasonal ingredients. Think Rissois de CamarĂŁo with crisp golden half-moons of sweet shrimp folded through cream with a touch of lemon; Bacalhau Ă Brás made with shredded salt cod, egg, and straw potatoes; and Arroz de Marisco, which is a Portuguese seafood rice with prawns, mussels, and clams.
Arroz de Marisco (Juno Kim/Maria Celeste)
Larger plates, or “Da Terra,” will also be on the menu, such as the surf and turf Pluma de Porco Iberico, Algarve’s famous marriage of pork from the Alentejo with fresh clams, and Bife a Portuguesa, which highlights Carrara Wagyu paired with a Lisbon-style cafe sauce consisting of cream, butter, and mustard.
Pluma de Porco Iberico (Juno Kim/Maria Celeste)
A chef’s menu will also be available, where the kitchen will take charge and bring dishes out to the table based on what’s freshest, what’s in season, and what the team is most proud of.
“Everything on this menu starts with memories of the way our mĂŁe cooked and the way Portugal eats,” explained Cristian. “We take those traditions and let British Columbia’s ingredients speak through them. We are cooking simply and generously – letting nothing go to waste. When a plate lands on the table, I want it to taste like you are in Portugal.”
The wine list will also take guests throughout the country, from Espumante through to Vinho Branco, Vinho Tinto, and Vinho Fortificado. Expect structured reds of the Alentejo to the freshness of Vinho Verde and the elegance of the Bairrada, all guided by the philosophy of “vou para a terra” (a deep respect for place).
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Maria Celeste officially opens on Tuesday, Aug. 4, with a soft opening period beginning on July 29. At launch, it will be open Tuesday to Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m. The team is encouraging folks to make a reservation if they want to visit, but walk-ins are welcome.
Maria Celeste
Address:Â 4181 Fraser St., Vancouver
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