Dual Coffee And Cocktail Bar Ellipsis Near Granville Island Is Now Open

All senses fire at Ellipsis, a new 47-seat coffee and cocktail dual-concept bar at the mouth of Granville Island.

Created by restaurateur Ming Yang (who you may know from Honolulu Coffee), the coffee and cocktail bar sits in what was once an art gallery at the iconic Waterfall Building—a masterpiece in its own right, designed by celebrated Canadian architect Arthur Erickson and featuring a sloping glass canopy and minimalist concrete walls that flood with natural light from dawn to dusk.

The eatery’s concept is based on a favourite form of punctuation, the ellipsis (…) which is meant to signify taking a pause before our next thought—and that was exactly the intention, says Yang.

“In a world that moves faster and faster, I wanted to create a space that invites us to slow down, to pause, to meet in the moment,” she explains. “It’s a café, it’s a bar, but more than that, it’s a space for presence, connection and meaning.” 

So, the design–by SML Studio Architecture–certainly elevates what is a stellar experience for both cocktail and coffee lovers alike, with reflective elements (like chrome lamps, stainless steel bars and mirrors at each end of the space) and burnt orange upholstery on chairs and booths.

A well curated menu caters to both morning and evening audiences: yogurt and granolas and fine pastries are available at the coffee counter, where a thought-provoking cocktail menu awaits at the cocktail bar.

Drinks such as the Is This Art—an earthy green cocktail with Bols melon, matcha cordial, lemon, cardamom and edible paint—and What’s Your Red Flag—a spicy, tropical rum drink with coconut, pineapple and mango habenero—are conversation starters, while menu items like the brioches (liver pate, a crab and a creamy walnut gorgonzola) can be shared among friends.

Showing off an upscale Chinese sensibility, there’s also tomatoes marinated in xiaoqing vinaigrette and a beautifully crisped and tender duck breast, all led by head chef Chu Yen Chen. As dusk hits, the spot plays up a feast for the senses. A projected light feature hits the interior concrete wall, and as evening descends, a circular orange light appears to get deeper and brighter. This trick of the eye is exacerbated by the setting sun, as the ambient orange light begins to flood the space the darker it gets outside.

And the darker it gets outside, the richer the menu becomes—seasonal burrata, shareable pasta and crispy potatoes seem to beckon diners to stay longer into the night. And given the ambience and stunning treats, we don’t mind if we do.

Ellipsis
205 – 1540 W 2nd Ave.
ellipsis.ca