Closet Canuck: Vancouver's Raincity Grill morphs into the sleek Beach Bay Cafe and Patio

I was sad to hear of the Raincity Grill's closure in Vancouver's West End. But all is not lost! A new restaurant, the Beach Bay Cafe and Patio, has opened in its space on Denman Street -- just a few steps away from the beach at English Bay. And although I've yet to experience it, the images and descriptions of the new resto have put it at the top of my list the next time I take Amtrak Cascades to Vancouver.

Now featuring a sleek and contemporary interior, there's also a heated patio for outdoor dining. The executive chef is Scott Korzack, a culinary alum of L'Abattoir. The Beach Bay Cafe's menu features west coast cuisine, ranging from black cod with green tomatoes and grilled cabbage to Carolina gold rice risotto with a soft poached egg, ramps and fresh herbs. The West End restaurant is also a part of Vancouver Aquarium's Ocean Wise program, with all seafood on the menu being sustainable.

Head mixologist Adrian Lindner.

The bar, headed up by mixologist Adrian Lindner (formerly of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise), offers a wide array of cocktails that complement the menu's dishes. Enjoy such classics as a rye Old Fashioned or creative concoctions like the Blanco Sour -- Sauvignon Blanc, lillet, lime, egg white and black walnut bitters. One of my fondest memories of the Rain City Grill is experiencing Burrowing Owl wine for the first time -- it's still one of my BC favorites. The Beach Bay Cafe features both local and global wines, at multiple price points.