Emad Yacoub’s collection of independent restaurants is slated to continue its expansion – not only with a $1 million patio addition to Yacoub’s five-month-old Black + Blue steakhouse, but also with a new Italian-style café on Hornby Street by year-end.
The owner of the fast-growing Global Group told Business in Vancouver March 13 that opening the café on Hornby Street makes sense because he has been leasing space on the street for a headquarters since last summer.
“We have the design done,” he said. “Everything is built inside. We have a commissary kitchen and training space for our staff – the meat and potatoes. All that’s left to do is the cosmetics of launching the café.”
Yacoub is also scouting locations so his Global Group can open a ninth restaurant next year.
Much of his time is being invested in his plans to open a rooftop patio at Black + Blue on Alberni Street. The restaurant, at 10,000 square feet, is the city’s biggest steakhouse. The patio will add 120 seats to the 280-seat restaurant.
“We want to be open by summer. We’re waiting for some things with the city. Our aim is the beginning of June.”
Yacoub also owns:
- Italian Kitchen;
- Coast;
- Sanafir;
- Glowbal Grill;
- Trattoria; and
- Society.
