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New Mexican restaurant slated for Olympic Village location

Set to launch this spring, starring elevated takes on Mexican classics
Ophelia restaurant
WildTale in Olympic Village at 165 West Second Ave. will turn into Ophelia, a Mexican restaurant from the same owners. Photo via Google Street View

Get ready for a switch-up from the folks behind The Flying Pig and WildTale, as they have formally announced plans to transform the Olympic Village outpost of WildTale into Ophelia, a new contemporary Mexican restaurant.

Ophelia will be helmed by Executive Chef Francisco Higareda, who first came to The Flying Pig and WildTale restaurant group in 2017. 

The new restaurant will showcase food inspired by Higareda's roots in Veracruz, Mexico. Ophelia, incidentally, is Higareda's mother's name.

On tap for Ophelia's menu are items like tacos, sopes (small thick corn tortillas with toppings), and octopus with mole, all done in an elevated manner. 

Additionally, Ophelia will boast a fully-licenced bar specalizing in tequila and mezcal cocktails as well as beer and wine. 

Ophelia restaurant
Erik Heck, chef Francisco Higareda and John Crook of WildTale, The Flying Pig and the soon-to-open Ophelia restaurant. Photo courtesy Ophelia restaurant

"Given my strong connection to Mexican cuisine, we saw an opportunity to take advantage of my knowledge and passion and do something truly unique here in Olympic Village," Higareda explains. "My mother inspired my love of cooking and it will be a true honour to return to my roots and pay homage to her and my country at Ophelia this spring." 

While we know Ophelia is aiming to launch this spring, we're working to confirm a closing date for WildTale's Olympic Village location, which opened in 2018. WildTale will maintain their original location in Vancouver's Yaletown neighbourhood. 

Ophelia will be located at 165 West Second Ave.

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