rench chef and famed restaurateur Daniel Boulud is finally coming to Canada. His foray into the true north strong and free is marked by his up-and-coming restaurant that will change the way Vancouverites think of food. At last, Canadians will no longer have to travel to the States for some of this renowned chefs’ culinary creations, which have garnered him acclaim from a variety of epicures and publications.

Boulud is best known for his eponymous restaurant, Daniel, in New York’s elite Upper East Side. French fare is his specialty (obviously) and die-hard foodies will wait weeks to get a table in this luxe spot, just so that they can drop several C-notes on a nice dinner (the caviar options, starting at $650 seem reasonable…ahem). High costs aside, the juice really is worth the squeeze. Bon Appétit, The New York Times and the Zagat Survey have all given Boulud top ranking, and he won Gourmet's Top Table Award as well.

After former executive chef Rob Feenie of Feenie’s and Lumiere walked off the job last November, owners David and Manjy Sidoo needed to find a new chef to help keep the restaurant up to par. Thankfully, Boulud answered their prayers and offered them any help they needed. He will be taking over the reigns of the kitchen and will oversee the major transformation of the menu. He will also be training the new chef de cuisines and ensuring that standards at the now-defunct Feenie’s meet his criterion. Of course the restaurant won’t be named Feenie’s anymore, but DB Bistro Moderne Vancouver instead. I still can’t decide which one is worse.

The new concept will borrow heavily from Boulud’s casual Manhattan eatery, which boasts the title of having the world’s most expensive hamburger (USD $150, incase you’re curious). Lumiere will also be taking inspiration from Vancouver’s newest celeb chef. It will be closing down at the end of April for a two-month renovation, as will Feenie’s. Ladies who lunch and fellow foodies better keep their eyes peeled and their stomachs empty – come June, delicious food fit for an expense account will be hitting the dining scene of Vancouver, twice.