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.
Erik Heck, Chef Francisco Higareda and John Crook of WildTale, The Flying Pig, and the soon-to-open Ophelia restaurant. Photo courtesy Ophelia restaurantOn 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.
"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."
WildTale, and sibling Flying Pig locations, shuttered in mid-March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the Olympic Village WildTale is morphing into Ophelia, WildTale will maintain their original location in Vancouver's Yaletown neighbourhood, though currently that location remains closed. However, Flying Pig has re-opened all three of their Vancouver locations to dine-in customers as of early June.
Ophelia is now in the hiring stages, and is aiming to open in July. Follow Ophelia Mexican Kitchen on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
Ophelia will be located at 165 W 2nd Avenue in Vancouver's Olympic Village
This story was originally published on February 7, 2020, and has since been updated with new information.
