Building the Bicycle Thief
Watch the construction as it happens.
DAY 35: SCENES FROM OUR ITALIAN RESTAURANTS
Just because construction of The Bicycle Thief is finished, doesn’t mean our blogging days are over! That’s right, Maurizio has his very own blog, which - when he puts down a frying pan and steps away from the stoves - he’ll update with scenes from our Italian restaurants. There’ll be photos, videos, recipes and much more as Maurizio learns to blog…
You CAN teach an “old” dog new tricks!
Check it out at: scenesfromouritalianrestaurants.com
DAY 34: FINITO!! (we’re done…and open for business)
WOW. In six short weeks, come hell or high water, snowstorms and a host of other hiccups…WE MADE IT! We’re so happy with the outcome and it’s with much thanks to an incredible team who all worked together to make it happen. THANK YOU THANK YOU to RCS, Mattatal Signs, Big Eric’s Restaurant Supply, Mill-Right, Mac Interior Design, Stephane from Enomatic Canada (j’adore!), Tracy from Wave Interiors, Contract Supply, Globe Hotelware, Ace Upholstery (we LOVE our banquettes), National Art, Image House, Albert Gannon Painting (you know you rock my world, Bill!), and especially to Mike Hanlon of Hanlon Marketing & Design, I have no words to thank you for all you’ve done for us at The Bicycle Thief…and every other restaurant we have ever done - you’re an inspiration.
I’d also like to thank the Academy…wait, is the music going to cut me off here?
I would also really like to thank the team at Southwest Properties, who always go over and above for us, and to our neighbours for putting up with that $*!@ing jack hammering. Again - sorry!
Welcome to The Bicycle Thief! Now open for business.
Nice hat.
Our gorgeous private room…otherwise known as THE GALLERIA.
The blue light district.
Ready for lunch!
But is the kitchen??
OH YEAH the kitchen is ready…ribalicious!! Is that a word??
There’s a whole lotta love on the dessert cart…and a bicycle bell, too!
No power tools were used in the making of this dish….but Maurizio is back to where he loves to be, in the kitchen with his posse making fabulous food. Ciao.
DAY 33: THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
The Bicycle Thief doors will soon be open! It’s hard to believe how much has changed in such a short amount of time…
The stage is set…
More training as Stephanie describes the fantastic new dishes…can’t wait for the menu tasting! YUM.
Kitchen conference.
Can you guess what this is??
We’ll be glad to see the tools go away.
The bar top is finally cleared. Now how about those lights?
BEFORE: Staff work together to come up with the best set up in the private room.
AFTER: Awesome! Now to get the fireplace working….
Front and back of house staff working together - it’s a beautiful thing.
Walk softly and carry a long stick.
DAY 32: A CLASS ACT
School was still in session as staff training continued today….with more wine tastings! With only seven days left to launch date, the final details are really coming together.
The new menu boxes are installed and looking great. Check out our menus!
Wine tasting after wine tasting - university was never like this! On second thought…maybe it was.
Manager Hakan hard at work…
Trying to get the heat regulated…easier said than done!
Southwest Properties’ Bruce is on hand to help us solve problems. Umm, what problems??
Learning amongst ladders.
The lights over the bar will soon be installed…
…now the bar just needs clearing. Whose mess is that, anyways?
A sneak peek at our new fireplace….all fired up! (except those aren’t real flames)
Hey - you’re not supposed to be in the men’s room!
DAY 31: AFTER SCHOOL SPECIAL
Training day has arrived…The Bicycle Thief staff began their first day of learning the new ropes, the new layout - not to mention the new menus. And the best part? Afternoon wine tastings!
What’s your major?
Rack ‘em up!
Lively discussion about our favourite topic…
This is how things started looking by the end of the afternoon.
We didn’t want to give too much away about our new electric fireplace, so we blurred the photo - or wait, did someone from the wine tasting take this picture??
DAY 30: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES
We’re getting down to the nitty gritty details now, and putting on the finishing touches. Many curious people walking by are poking their heads in for look, and all are amazed at the complete transformation.
Staff folding linens…is wine included with this??
Our nice neighbours from Turbine popped by for a sneak peak. Great to see you, Lisa!
Stephane Fournier from Enomatic in Montreal flew in to set up our new wine system.
The BEFORE shot of where the Enomatic wine system will go.
Our new adopted son, Mike the electrician….now he’ll have to change his name to Guido and start talking with his hands.
The new stand up bar at the front entrance…wait, is that picture crooked??
“Why is my wine glass STILL empty?”
The private room…we’re thinking of calling it “The Galleria” - very appropriate!
The fireplaces work - well, at least one of them does. Two more to go!
The cozy corner.
DAY 29: THEY’RE HEEEERE
The Bicycle Thief staff came in today to help set up the restaurant - the tables are being set, the wine is being unpacked…what more do we need? Oh yeah - stoves, gas, the other banquette, the lights to work over the bar, the gas torches to work outside, etc etc etc…and the list goes on.
Red Red Wine….Wade the Wine Guy, happy at last.
Setting up the bar.
Peekaboo…we see you!
Passing inspections…
What a kitchen!
The staff unpacked a sea of wine today.
Workin’ on the chain gang….
The men’s washroom…not quite ready yet!
DAY 28: GETTING THERE
A sea of upturned chairs so the cleaners could remove (most) of the dust last night…
The very cool fireplace is being installed behind the bar today.
FUEL FOR THE MASSES. Our own Bicycle Thief custom Illy coffee….finally!
The music man from Sound Systems Plus is installing a whole new system.
The kitchen is finally starting to look like…well, a kitchen!
Beautiful drapery - thanks to Tracy from Wave Interiors…the lady in white.
Signed, sealed and delivered….
DAY 27: DELIVERANCE
Good thing it was a beautiful sunny day today, as just about everything got delivered - new dishware, new tables, all the new chairs and sofas….you name it, it arrived today. All at the same time. Of course.
Thankfully the kitchen staff were on hand to help offload.
All the new dishes plus the new sofas temporarily stacked in the private room…
The private room feels like home with our wall-to-wall framed Italy and family photos.
Putting the finishing touches on the paintwork.
The buffet stations in the dining room have been installed…
Can you tell who is cleverly hiding behind the new column sconce??
We can’t wait until the stoves get hooked up…
Check out Bicycle Thief manager Hakan’s runway strut….work it!
Project Runway Part II.
DAY 26: WELCOME TO THE CLUSTER*#%!
Chaos ensues as we push to finish construction, with the inevitable “surprises” AKA problems to solve.
Whaddya gonna do?? Command central has moved on site to the private room.
At least Site Super Roger is still smiling…
Are we done yet? ummm……not quite.
The new artwork is here! Old family photos from Italy…wait, is that Maurizio in a speedo??
This guy STILL hasn’t come down.
Welcoming The Bicycle Thief with open arms.
