Bells and Whistles

It’s a pleasure to deliver a good news story in this topsy-turvy pandemic year. Bells and Whistles, Dunbar’s new addition to the restaurant scene, has generated a buzz and the community response has been amazing.

We spoke with James Iranzad of Gooseneck Hospitality to learn more about this quintessential neighbourhood pub. Dunbar’s Bells and Whistles is the second Vancouver location; it opened on September 8, 2020. The original and highly successful Bells and Whistles launched on Fraser Street in 2017.

This is the sixth venture for restaurateurs James Iranzad, Nick Miller, and Josh Pape of Gooseneck Hospitality. In addition to Bells and Whistles, they also own and operate awardwinning Vancouver restaurants Wildebeest, Lucky Taco, and two Bufala locations (one is located in Kerrisdale). Avenue, the eye-catching brightly coloured geometric exterior signals that you have found the home of Bells and Whistles with its mile-high burgers, sandwiches, ice creams, snacks, craft beer, cocktails and so much more deliciousness.

The three business partners coveted this location for a few years and loved it for the role they imagined it could fill in the neighbourhood, as well as its south-facing corner position. They couldn’t pass it up when it became available earlier this year.

Bells and Whistles is stylish, cheerful, and comfortable. Built during the COVID-19 era, the design was highly conscious of distancing and incorporated physical separations to ensure both comfort and safety. It is as safe as a restaurant can be both inside and out. The patio is huge, and will soon be enclosed and heated for customers’ year-round pleasure.

“We are very happy to offer not only the original patio but also the extended curbside patio we built. When you dine, you can enjoy exceptional airflow in the restaurant,” James comments.

He says, “The community has been amazing. Everyone has been lovely in recognizing what we are trying to contribute and has been supporting us since the day we opened. My partner Josh went to Saint George’s and I went to Kerrisdale Elementary and Prince of Wales Secondary. I’ve lived nearby for years and have been actively involved as a coach and board member for Vancouver United FC for years.”

The three partners are all actively involved in the day-to-day operations of Gooseneck Hospitality’s six businesses. They have a common vision for the hospitality industry that they want to provide around the city.

“We would definitely like to continue growing, carefully, as it never ceases to be satisfying to bring the pleasures of a good neighbourhood restaurant to an underserviced community. We like to look for areas where we would be welcome, where we could hopefully make the locals happier with our presence,” James says.

He remarks, “We’re lucky that we also have an amazing team of senior management that bring a level of care and passion to the food, drink, and service they provide that’s perfectly aligned with what Gooseneck Hospitality’s all about.” “I’m a burger lover. I love our burger with both aged cheddar and American cheese. Having said that, our fried chicken sandwich is unbelievably delicious, especially if you order it tossed in one of our sauces.”

Jethro’s restaurant closed a few months ago leaving few traditional brunch options in the neighbourhood, which is part of the reason James, Nick, and Josh wanted to unveil Bells and Whistles brunch menu as soon as possible. It’s the same tried, tested, and true menu as the Fraser Street location. Choose from a variety of Eggs Benedict with all the bells and whistles or an omelette, waffles, French toast accompanied by locally roasted French press or Kahlua and coffee.

Produce and proteins are of local origin. The restaurant partners with Two Rivers Specialty Meats and works exclusively with free-range Farmcrest chicken and eggs, grass-fed, pasture-raised Pemberton Meadows beef, and ethically raised pork for their sausages and bacon. Besides guaranteeing the freshest and highest quality possible, buying local also boosts our economy and keeps the local supply chain alive and strong. James says, “This year, more than ever, we know the value of that.”

Like all of Gooseneck Hospitality’s restaurants, Bells and Whistles is known for its passion for delicious drinks.

James says, “We work with our brilliant craft beer industry to bring our guests the very best in local offerings, including a rotating board of rarities and special seasonal releases. As for cocktails, we insist on using only fresh juices, premium spirits, the very best ice, in proper glassware. It really makes a difference, and they’re served by friendly bartenders at neighbourhood prices.”

They are delighted with the feedback they have received to date. The best reaction is seeing repeated customer visits in such a short time. Take-out has also been very strong and well received.

The partners are thrilled to see the establishment full every day and enjoy that it is making a positive contribution to the community. They are also heartened that they have been able to bring a couple of dozen people back to work during this unsettled COVID-19 time.

James concludes, “We’re super happy to be here! The general climate of 2020 made it a particularly risky move to open a restaurant but we’re natural optimists and believed in our people and the quality of our work, and that the community would support us. Thankfully it’s all worked out really well so far and we’ll be here for the long run.”

Bells and Whistles, 4497 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, BC V6S 2G4

Telephone 604-558-4770

www.bellsandwhistlesyvr.ca/dunbar