any Vancouver neighbourhoods have reinvented themselves in the past decade. Yaletown, for example, progressed from a warehouse district to a trendy restaurant and shopping haven, most of Gastown’s tacky tourist stores have been replaced with high-end boutiques, and Main Street is no longer known only for its chachka stores. And yet Kitsilano remains as it always has – a casual relaxed environment where people are laid back and hedonistically driven.

Restauranteurs Paul Gibbons and Ivo Staiano hope to capitalize on that vibe with their new dining spot, the new bohemian. Staiano is no stranger to the restaurant business. Responsible for the highly successful Urban Well on Yew Street, as well as downtown favourite, Balthazar, this will be his third Vancouver project. Partner Paul Gibbons is also ex-Balthazar as is Chef Kevin Sanwell.

The team has taken the old Fiction space, opened it up a tad, added some showy new light fixtures and completely changed the look and feel of the space. Damasc wallpaper, five large mirrors on the wall opposite the bar new parallam wood bar and a cozy fireplace are welcome features. And there still some remains a whisper of the previous tenant. They’ve rearranged the letters in the sign that spelled Fiction outside the restaurant and mounted them to spell “icon” on the far wall. A worthy tribute.

The menu’s theme is “fresh quality organic comfort food finished with global flavours and ideals.” Whenever possible they choose local and all seafood is Ocean Wise approved. On Tuesdays guests can enjoy wine at a 25 percent discount and Thursday and Friday DJ’s spin tunes.

Visiting the place on a Sunday night in the first week of opening we found the room already three quarters full before 7 pm. There was a mixed crowd of young couples on first dates, trendy locals celebrating birthdays, and middle-aged couples needing a break from the teenagers.