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July 18, 2003
Experience a West 10th Enigma
New restaurant draws upscale urbanites and low-income students
alike.
BAILA LAZARUS EDITOR
When Lynette and Ivan Buchman were looking for a name for their
new restaurant on 10th Avenue, they were stuck with a puzzle. Designed
in a modern, less-is-more fashion to attract somewhat of an upscale
Point Grey crowd, the eatery is also meant to draw budget-minded
students from the University of British Columbia.
"It was really an enigma," said Lynette Buchman in an
interview with the Bulletin. And, hence, the birth of the
name.
"We decided to call it Enigma because it's a little more mysterious,"
she said, with a strong South African inflection. "We couldn't
decide how to name it because we cater to some wealthy- to middle-class
professors and lecturers, as well as students. We haven't targeted
a specific audience."
Though the clients may not be drawn to Enigma because of special
marketing attention, peoples' wallets will. The mixed grill and
value-laden menu should draw customers from all parts of the economic
spectrum. Ivan Buchman emphasized their "great price-point."
While the restaurant's cuisine may not earn Enigma a spot in the
posh Relais and Chateaux club, it offers great food at reasonable
prices.
Presentation is also a high point at Enigma. All dishes look like
they're ready to be photographed by Gourmet magazine and
the decor is minimalist chic. Even the bathrooms, which are ornamented
with now-popular curly bamboo, feel like they belong in the latest
nightclub.
The Buchmans were so adamant about not having extraneous decoration
or writing on the premises, they wouldn't even let beer companies
put their names on the brew taps. And if you've ever wondered what
makes a pale ale pale, or what gives Bavarian lager its flavor,
just take a look at the drink menu, which gives full explanations
of their offerings.
The restaurant, which has only been open for about a month, offers
separate menus for brunch, lunch and dinner; all with the same great
prices. They offer, among other things, eggs Benedict with smoked
salmon at $6.95. It comes with a decorative pyramid of toast and
fresh fruit. The eggs Benny are perched, mushroom-like, on a neat
circle of hash browns. Burgers range from $5.95 for a vegetarian
option to $8.95 for a salmon burger. In the higher price range is
the Ahi Tuna for $14.95. Also available are grilled black bean and
butternut squash soup, chicken panini, lamb, tenderloin stew and
even the comfort of macaroni and cheese or spaghetti.
Besides a large variety of beer, the drink menu includes martinis,
alcohol-laden slushies and shooters.
The Buchmans came from Durban to Vancouver about a year ago to be
with their children – Aron and Hiram – who had previously
operated the Fox and Firken in the West End. The Buchmans chose
Point Grey to establish their business because they felt welcome.
"We found this area attractive because it was a neighborhood-type
of area," said Ivan Buchman.
"People are a lot more relaxed," added his son, Hiram.
The restaurant was renovated in space previously occupied by Earls,
the Cactus Club and Café Barney, according to Ivan Buchman.
It seats 130, including a terrace, and can be rearranged to fit
100 with dancing for special events. It also boasts a TV screen
to draw sports fans in for big games, or reality-TV watchers in
for shows like American Idol or the Oscars. The venue also
offers an overhead digital projector if groups want to use the space
for corporate presentations.
Enigma is located at 4397 West 10th Ave. It's open until midnight
every night. Call 604-222-6881 or e-mail [email protected]
for information.
And, if you go, don't forget to try the motion-activated paper towel
dispenser in the washroom. A trend-setter if there ever was one.
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