SUPPORTING PARTNER
Pioneer : George Frankel Bridges Restaurant & Prospect Point in Stanley ParkNew Yorker George Frankel arrived in Vancouver to help found and establish the idea of large-scale outdoor dining in a rather roundabout way. Frankel, born and raised in New York, moved to Israel in 1968 and soon thereafter identified the potential for American style casual dining concepts in the Mideast region. He opened a number of such restaurants, including a pizza place, a juice bar, and even Israel's first Chinese restaurant. The ambience of the outdoor "café" dining experience lent an energy and vitality to Frankel's various food spots. The idea of patio dining on the West Coast met with criticism in the early eighties. Pundits pointed out that the city's wet climate and a "small town" like Vancouver would not support such a thing. 28 years later, The restaurant Bridges, created by Frankel and his partners is a landmark and one of the highest grossing restaurants in Vancouver. Frankel is proud to have been among the pioneers of outdoor patio dining in Vancouver. Prior to 1980, the Liquor Control Board did not allow alcoholic beverages to be served outside an enclosed facility. The battle for Bridges' outdoor patio dining concept, and its triumph, heralded a turning point in the city's dining life. Today of course, we can enjoy relaxed outdoor dining throughout the city. After Bridges, Frankel set his sight on another project. He loved the natural beauty of Stanley Park and in 1984, was fortunate to strike a deal with the Vancouver Park Board to enlarge the then existing concession stand at the Prospect Point Lookout to another three-part concept: a restaurant, concession stand, and a gift shop. The Prospect Point Café has since been another local dining landmark offering a majestic setting for out-door dining. Frankel claims the secret to success is hard work; "the harder you work the luckier you become." He is quick to add a few more secrets to success in the restaurant business, five in particular. They are, in this order: location, quality of product, quality of service, ambience, and price. George Frankel has imparted these secrets to his son, and Daniel Frankel is in fact continuing his father's legacy. Restauranteur Daniel Frankel founded the Daniel Hospitality Group which owns and manages The Mill Marine Bistro, Prospect Point Café, Stanley Park Pavilion and Stanley’s Park Bar & Grill, Delilah's, Danny’s Dogs & Shakes, and the soon to come Burrard Bridge Bar & Grill (just opposite the water from Bridges). George Frankel is proud to be a member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Today, George Frankel derives his greatest source of pride from his four children and five delightful grandchildren, along with a sixth on the way. Click on the image below to start video
Introduction movie shown during the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Gala, March 2009. |