Vancouver, B.C., July 21, 2026 – The team behind beloved Mount Pleasant tapas bar ¿CóMO? Taperia is taking guests on another trip to Spain, this time, to its rugged northern coast. This coming winter, founders Shaun Layton and Frankie Harrington are set to open ¿CóMO? Ultramar – a seafood-focused restaurant inspired by their travels throughout Northern Spain – at 592 East Broadway.
“Ultramar is inspired by the places Frankie and I travel to often during our annual trips to Spain,” says Layton. “There will be a definite focus on the cuisine of Northern Spain, such as the seaside towns of the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Galicia, but also the old-school seafood bars of Madrid, the modern, playful seafood restaurants of Barcelona, and the tabernas of Cádiz. In all these places, there is just big love for seafood in its simplest forms, but yet, full of flavour.”
The 2,500 square-foot space features a dining room and a mezzanine on the second level.
Located on Faber Block, the building was originally constructed in 1926 and formerly known as The Carolina, which is currently managed by Kiri Properties. Over its century-old history, the building’s previous tenants included popular neighbourhood spots such as a confectionery shop, Black & White Grocery, and Seb’s Cafe.
Joining Layton and Harrington is chef-partner Daniel Kim, a 15-year veteran of Vancouver's fine dining scene who spent nearly a decade at award-winning Boulevard, rising to chef de cuisine. His accolades include the 2018 Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship and the 2021 RC Show Garland Competition.
Leading front-of-house is general manager Sean Grady, who moves over after several years at ¿CóMO? Taperia, where he currently serves as GM.
“The cooking will be centred around live charcoal. Think whole fish over fire, Basque-style, with the best seafood we can source locally and from afar,” explains Layton. “Our philosophy at Como Ultramar is to keep things simple with classic dishes and exceptional ingredients, all executed with great technique. We’ll also have a few fun surprises inspired by our favourite rooms in Spain.”
¿CóMO? Ultramar has tapped award-winning firm Ste. Marie with the design, Glasfurd & Walker with the branding, and Harmony Pacific with the construction.
In preparation for its launch, Layton, Harrington, Kim, and Grady are heading back to Spain in September for R&D. Keep an eye on their Instagram at @comoultramar for updates!
For more information about ¿CóMO? Ultramar and to follow along on its journey, please visit comoultramar.com.