Vancouver restaurant owner 'giddy' after actor Seth Rogen returns for dim sum

A return appearance from actor and comedian Seth Rogen has helped put a Vancouver restaurant on the map.

Little Bird Dim Sumin Kitsilanohosted the Vancouver-born star and his family on Sunday for a celebratory lunch, owner Jonathan Lee said, adding that reservationshave seen an uptick since.

"We had a dip during the winter butbookingsfor 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:

Seth Rogen and family take over Vancouver dim sum restaurant

10 months ago

Duration 1:59

Little Bird Dim Sum owner Jonathan Lee talked to CBC's Amy Bell about the actor's recent visits and his family's surprising history with Rogen's.

Lee was quick to take photos with the celebrity and sharedthem 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 havingdined many times at Little Bird's sister restaurant, Flamingo House in south Vancouver.

"Flamingo is our family restaurant and they used to be regulars therebefore [Seth Rogen] became famous," Lee said.

Rogen hasbeen open when it comes to sharing his love for B.C.'s local delicacies and eateries bothon-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 highlightedHong Kong BBQ Master in Richmond, Lee's DonutsonGranville Islandand Sun Sui Wah Seafood on Main Street.

Little Bird holds aMichelin Bib Gourmandaward, which highlights restaurants that offera 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, poppingin for dim sum earlier this year.