Vancouver restaurant owner 'giddy' after actor Seth Rogen returns for dim sum
Jonathan Lee says Vancouver-born star's visit with his family has boosted bookings at Little Bird in Kitsilano
A return appearance from actor and comedian Seth Rogen has helped put a Vancouver restaurant on the map.
Little Bird Dim Sum in Kitsilano hosted the Vancouver-born star and his family on Sunday for a celebratory lunch, owner Jonathan Lee said, adding that reservations have seen an uptick since.
"We had a dip during the winter but bookings for this week are back up to summer numbers," he told CBC's On The Coast host Amy Bell.
"I felt star-struck and giddy," he said. "He did a lot of talking, I did a lot of listening and I didn't know what to say."
WATCH | Lee describes being lost for words when meeting Rogen:
Lee was quick to take photos with the celebrity and shared them on Facebook and Instagram, which he says has helped create a buzz around the restaurant.
Little Bird sparked similar public interest in August when Rogen visited the restaurant for some "buns and beers."
But Lee says the actor's connection with the restaurant goes back further, with the Rogen family having dined many times at Little Bird's sister restaurant, Flamingo House in south Vancouver.
"Flamingo is our family restaurant and they used to be regulars there before [Seth Rogen] became famous," Lee said.
Rogen has been open when it comes to sharing his love for B.C.'s local delicacies and eateries both on-screen and on social media.
In 2019, he appeared in an episode of celebrity chef David Chang's Netflix series Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, in which he highlighted Hong Kong BBQ Master in Richmond, Lee's Donuts on Granville Island and Sun Sui Wah Seafood on Main Street.
Little Bird holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, which highlights restaurants that offer a high-quality three-course meal at a reasonable price. It's no stranger to hosting celebrities, with Vancouver-born actor Finn Wolfhard, star of Stranger Things, popping in for dim sum earlier this year.
With files from On The Coast