Daniel Frankel is the owner of the Daniel Group, which was recently named BC's top hospitality employer by BC Business magazine. The Daniel Group also came second as the Best Place to Work in BC (for companies with more than 100 employees)by the magazine.
The Daniel Group got its start in Coal Harbour in 2001 when Frankel opened his first café. We asked him to talk about those early days, and why he loves Coal Harbour.
In 1999, I moved into the hood. It was the very early days of the Coal Harbour residential community, but I quickly felt right at home and forged some very strong and lasting friendships. In September 2001, I opened my first business in Coal Harbour, which was a small café in the heart of the community, at the Coal Harbour Community Centre. This was my very first foodservice business and the beginning of what would later be known as the Daniel Group. Twenty months later I opened The Mill Marine Bistro, which quickly became the neighbourhood local, and I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to provide this social amenity.
The setting epitomizes Vancouver living for me. Centrally located and close to everything, on the waterfront and smack on the seawall, views of Stanley Park, the North Shore Mountains, Burrard Inlet.... In the early 2000s Coal Harbour had the making for the perfect setting, but it just needed more people; it was obvious that as developers built up the area, the people would come. The neighbourhood promotes a healthy lifestyle due to its proximity to everything... you dont need a car; in fact its much easier to walk and bike. If you dont own a bike we have many great bike rental stores in the area. Its second to none.
Contemporary yet steeped in Vancouver history. Beautiful, metropolitan, serene, warm and caring. Theres a beautiful community forming in Coal Harbour. In 2005 I moved into the Callisto building on Cordova and Jervis, and there was a great sense of community and friendships developing there. The Coal Harbour Residents Association is a very strong and involved voice for the community and hosted many events and meetings to bring the neighbours together. We sponsor an annual neighbourhood party, and also a block party. This new community is still quite young and growing.
We spend many days exploring the area around the new convention centre and along the seawall to Stanley Park. A stop at The Mill for lunch (of course) and off to the park on top of the community centre. After a nice long seawall stroll, its back up to Cordova for a gelato at Bella Gelateria. We also love exploring the boats at the marina and watching the seaplanes land and take off. Having lived directly above The Mill, I quite often end my day with a drink there.
I like to frequent the Fairmont Pacific Rim their restaurant Oru and the more casual cafe Giovanne are both great, Darren Brown is a very talented chef. I also enjoy sitting and watching the boats from Carderos. Lift has a nice upper deck. Mahoneys is a fun spot as well, great atmosphere. Pretty soon Cactus Club will open their flagship restaurant at the Convention Centre, which I imagine will be magnificent, and we are also opening our second Tap & Barrel directly across the plaza from them, with a stunning large outdoor patio, 30 local craft BC beers on tap and 20 premium BC wines on tap. As you can see, Coal Harbour is becoming a great culinary destination!
Urban Fare on Cordova is a great place for groceries, a coffee or quick lunch. The Coal Harbour Liquor Store up the street has a great selection. Pacific Centre mall is very close by, as are all of the top shops along Alberni and Robson Streets, further down on Hastings, and Gastown is nearby.
