After nearly two decades, Les Faux Bourgeois, a cherished Vancouver destination for classic French bistro cuisine, is set to transition to new ownership. The restaurant, located at 663 E 15th Ave, will be acquired by Yianni and Petro Kerasiotis, who operate the hospitality group Gaia House. Their portfolio includes Nammos Estiatorio, Selene Aegean Bistro, and the Japanese-style speakeasy AMA.
A Legacy Preserved
Founder Andreas Seppelt, who has helmed the restaurant for 18 years, expressed confidence in the new owners. "I know Les Faux Bourgeois is in very good hands," he said. Seppelt will remain part of the front-of-house team, ensuring continuity.
The Kerasiotis brothers are committed to maintaining the restaurant's identity. "Les Faux Bourgeois has always held a strong identity and our role is not to reinvent it, but to steward its legacy while still bringing something fresh and new to the table," Yianni explained.
Menu and Kitchen Updates
The kitchen will be led by co-chefs David Cassese, whose resume includes Sat Bains, Joe Beef, and Alo, and Brent Thornton, formerly of Elem, Good Thief, and Is That French. Both previously cooked together at St. Lawrence. Upcoming dishes include escargot en cocotte, and steak frites with Heston Blumenthal-style fries and duck bordelaise. A new raw bar will feature oysters, prawns, Dungeness crab, and mussels escabeche.
Yianni's personal favorite at Les Faux is the steak frites. The team plans to incorporate more seasonal and local ingredients while honoring French culinary traditions. "French is one of the classic cuisines and I've always been a fan," he added.
Cocktail Program and Interior Refresh
Gaia House beverage director Dylan Riches will introduce a new cocktail program with bistro-inspired creations such as elderflower pastis, truffle martinis, and bourguignon highballs. The dining room will remain largely unchanged, but the kitchen will undergo a refresh. The restaurant will close for approximately one week this spring for interior updates. For closure dates, follow @lesfauxbourgeois on Instagram.
Seppelt chose the Kerasiotis brothers after deciding to sell, noting their close relationship over the years. "He approached me, told me they planned on selling and we looked at the numbers," Yianni recalled. The new owners' "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach is expected to reassure loyal patrons of this Fraserhood institution.
