{"id":21323,"date":"2025-08-01T13:11:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T20:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/?p=21323"},"modified":"2025-08-06T14:18:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T21:18:09","slug":"june-on-main-refined-plates-contemporary-elegance-and-a-hidden-bar-below","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/june-on-main-refined-plates-contemporary-elegance-and-a-hidden-bar-below\/","title":{"rendered":"June on Main \u2013 Refined Plates, Contemporary Elegance, and a Hidden Bar Below"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This past Friday, two friends and I finally made it to June<\/em>, the much-anticipated new restaurant in Vancouver\u2019s South Cambie neighborhood. Opened just this April, June comes from the team behind one of my all-time favourite cocktail spots, the award-winning The Keefer Bar<\/strong>, and features culinary direction from Chef Connor Sperling<\/strong>, formerly chef de cuisine at Vancouver\u2019s Michelin-starred Published on Main<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Impressions: A Space Defined by Contemporary Elegance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The space is stunning\u2014understated yet striking. Designed by acclaimed Mexican architect H\u00e9ctor Esrawe<\/strong>, June balances soft, sculptural lines with natural materials. Think: warm wood, brushed copper, and architectural structure that doesn\u2019t feel overly designed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were seated in the back at what\u2019s referred to as the Chef\u2019s Table<\/strong> – a curved banquette nestled by the kitchen door that overlooks the entire dining area. To the left runs a dramatically curved bar, lit by a soft blush-pink glow underneath – subtle but captivating. A giant round copper-framed window pours in natural light, while the right side of the restaurant is partially divided by a neon-arched structure that plays with reflections to create a dreamy, mirror-like effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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June on Cambie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Drinks First: Cocktails by a Team Vancouver Legend<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, we started with cocktails. The bar program is helmed by bar director Amber Bruce, bar manager Satoshi Yonemori<\/strong>, Van Mag\u2019s 2018 Bartender of the Year, and head bartender Riley Maggs<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first round impressed us all. The Genmaicha Clover Club<\/strong>: A refined twist on the classic, this one layered the familiar tart-sweet profile with the roasty aroma of genmaicha (toasted rice green tea) – absolutely beautiful. The Nitro Espresso Martini, my go-to pre-dinner cocktail, and this one nailed it -deep, dark chocolate richness brightened by a touch of citrus. Also, the half Burnt Gibson Martini<\/strong>, finished with a whisper of Scotch mist over the top, adding a subtle, smoky aroma that elevated the drink. Clever and delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fun note: you can order half-Martinis<\/strong> for just $10, ideal if you want to pace yourself. Even better, if you’re sipping slowly, the staff will quietly replace your glass<\/em> to keep it chilled. That\u2019s five-star hospitality – the first time I have seen it in Vancouver!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Burnt Gibson Martini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Plates with Impressions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We left the ordering mostly up to Riley<\/strong>, the head bartender who greeted us, and he didn\u2019t steer us wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Crab Dip<\/strong> ($30) came with delicate madeleine cakes for dipping\u2014a playful and unexpected pairing. The sweet balance was clever, though I wouldn\u2019t have minded a less sugary vehicle to scoop up the fresh, lemony crab. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next came the Tomato Salad<\/strong> ($25), a daily special that arrived looking like a work of art\u2014vibrant, seasonal, and beautifully composed in both flavor and texture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also shared the Frog Legs<\/strong> ($16), which came three to a plate. Meaty, juicy, and glazed in a sweet-sour sauce, they instantly brought to mind General Tso\u2019s Chicken\u2014in the best possible way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve probably seen June\u2019s Butter Service<\/strong> on Instagram\u2014and yes, it\u2019s as theatrical as it looks.
We ordered the Pasta for Rachel ($40)<\/strong>, a rich, buttery pasta dumpling dish served tableside by Chef Connor himself. He scooped a generous slab of butter from a carved wooden barrel and finished the dish in front of us. It was undeniably rich\u2026 but also weirdly addictive. Not a drop was left on any plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mussels<\/strong> ($33) arrived topped with crispy shreds of cheese and spiced crumbs, delivering bold, savory flavor in every bite. If I\u2019m nitpicking, a few of the mussels were slightly overcooked, but overall, the dish was delightful. The Steak Frites<\/strong> ($72) featured a PEI New York strip, perfectly seared and deeply flavorful. We splurged a little by upgrading the fries with Polish winter black truffle – a worthwhile indulgence. At 8oz, the steak felt a touch small; I could\u2019ve easily finished the entire portion on my own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For dessert, we shared the Matcha Soft Serve<\/strong> ($14) and the Pavlova<\/strong> ($14). The soft serve was smooth, creamy, and well-balanced, with just the right amount of matcha bitterness to keep it from being too sweet. The Pavlova featured a crisp meringue shell with a soft, marshmallow-like center, topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream\u2014a light, airy finish to round out the meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food (excluding drinks) came out to just over $90 per person<\/strong>, and honestly? You can taste<\/em> the Michelin-level precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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Frog Legs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Pasta for Rachel & Butter Service<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Crab Dip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cocktails @ June<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Steak Frites<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mussels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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After Dinner: Downstairs at Lala<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not ready to end the night after dinner at June, here\u2019s the secret move: ask to reserve a spot at Lala<\/strong>, the hidden cocktail bar downstairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind two thick velvet curtains lies a dimly lit, mood-heavy lounge with its own bar program and a sleek, moody vibe. We each ordered a classic – Vieux Carr\u00e9<\/strong> for me, Last Word<\/strong> for my friend – and while the cocktails were spot on, the low tables and seats weren\u2019t the most comfortable. Unfortunately, the main bar seating was full, so we didn\u2019t linger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We finished our night by heading back downtown to Keefer Bar to toast the incredible experience we’d just had at its sister restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

June<\/strong> isn\u2019t just another new spot on Vancouver\u2019s dining scene – it\u2019s an experience. With thoughtful design, polished service, a serious cocktail program, and refined plates that don\u2019t take themselves too<\/em> seriously, it\u2019s a place worth lingering in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip: go with friends who love to share, order the half-Martini, and don\u2019t skip the butter. And if you\u2019ve still got room for drinks, Lala is waiting downstairs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This past Friday, two friends and I finally made it to June, the much-anticipated new restaurant in Vancouver\u2019s South Cambie neighborhood. Opened just this April, June comes from the team behind one of my all-time favourite cocktail spots, the award-winning The Keefer Bar, and features culinary direction from Chef Connor […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21336,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[410,193,205,97,316],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/6D44C9D4-1556-44A0-ABED-DBCA7EEE71E7.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21323"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21323"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21337,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21323\/revisions\/21337"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}