Hervé Martin, the celebrated chef and owner of The French Table bistro on Main Street, is welcoming lovers of French cuisine back to his beloved restaurant after an unexpected twist in his retirement journey. After 39 years of shaping Vancouver’s dining scene, Hervé announced the closure of The French Table earlier this year, in preparation for retirement. However, a sudden legal complication caused the sale to fall through, and the anticipated closure was put on hold. As a result, The French Table reopens October 8th, with Martin at the helm, to continue serving his signature French cuisine to loyal patrons and newcomers alike.
“It’s been a rollercoaster,” says Hervé Martin. “I was fully prepared to retire and step away from the restaurant, but the circumstances changed quickly. Now, I’m eager to get back in the kitchen and welcome our guests back to The French Table.”
A Culinary Legacy Revisited
Hervé Martin’s career is one that reads like a culinary adventure story. Before making his mark on Vancouver’s dining scene, Martin trained in Michelin-starred restaurants in France and then went on to work in the elite kitchens of three-Michelin-starred establishments in Switzerland and France. His talents were recognized on an international level when he served as the executive chef to King Leopold of Belgium. Martin later expanded his culinary prowess into the hospitality sector, revitalizing hotel dining experiences in Toronto, New York, and Philadelphia.
In 1985, Martin made his home in Vancouver, joining the Pan Pacific Hotel as the executive chef, overseeing of all the restaurants and kitchens under that roof including opening the Five Sails French themed restaurant, and supervising more than 100 chefs 24 hours a day, serving 1000s of meals a day. Martin went on to open the famed Hermitage on Robson Street as chef/owner. For 25 years, Hermitage set the standard for French dining in the city, becoming a cherished institution. After the building’s demolition in 2010, Hervé opened The French Table on Main Street @23rd in 2011, continuing his legacy of classic French cuisine, impeccable service, and fostering strong community connections. Many of his staff members have been with him since Hermitage days, showcasing a bond that’s lasted over three decades.
A New Chapter
Though the initial announcement of The French Table’s closure came with the excitement of well-deserved retirement plans, Hervé is now focusing on this next chapter. “I am deeply appreciative of our customers’ understanding and the unwavering support of our incredible team, many of whom have been with me for more than 30 years. The commitment and loyalty of everyone involved is what make this restaurant so special,” says Hervé.
The French Table is set to reopen October 8th, and Hervé invites Vancouverites to rediscover the restaurant’s authentic French flavours, warm hospitality, and the sense of community that have made it a staple in the city’s culinary landscape. As this new chapter unfolds, Martin hopes to see familiar faces and new guests alike coming together to celebrate and support the return of one of Vancouver’s dining treasures.
Reservations can be made directly by calling the restaurant at (604) 689-3237 or by visiting thefrenchtable.ca. Join Hervé and his team as they continue to make The French Table a cherished dining destination on Main Street.
