café Archives - West Coast Food

Cafés February 14, 2024

Rainbow Play Cafe Creates a Hub For Kids and Parents To Connect

A new haven for parents and kids alike has become an ideal spot for a perfect playdate. Bordering New Westminster and Burnaby is Rainbow Play Cafe—a new business that offers stress-free playtime for kids and a sense of community for their parents. In addition to—of course—a fantastic cup of coffee. “My son, he’s my inspiration,” says Xanat Guiot, owner of the nascent cafe, which opened in May 2023.The mom-preneur’s vision for Rainbow Play Cafe was born from a need she observed in her own life—a space where parents could connect with each other over a cup of coffee, while their children engaged in safe and purposeful play. Having immigrated from Mexico about a decade ago, Guiot said she struggled with postpartum depression, felt isolated, and would benefit from a place to go and meet other moms. “I didn’t have that support network. In the beginning, when you have a baby…

Cafés November 24, 2023

Convenience Store Cafes in Metro Vancouver

Neighbourhood corner store cafes are cropping up all over Metro Vancouver. The concept, according to Dished Vancouver, hails from Australia, where corner stores include not only everyday essentials and grocery items but also a full-service cafe with sandwiches, soups, coffee, and more. New York has a similar thing going on, if you’ve visited it’s likely you tried at least one bodega-made bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich after popping in to grab a pack of gum, a bottle of water, and a coffee to go. Metro Vancouver is now getting the one-stop-shop experience, too. Some convenience store cafes offer regional fare and imported goods, while others have adopted the Australian-inspired ambiance with locally roasted coffee, organic produce, and free zines to read and take home. By Brittany Tiplady Find a convenience store cafe close to you below. Vancouver Mah Milkbar 1502 Victoria Drive This brand new, queer-owned and operated convenience store…

Chef Stories October 30, 2023

The Pie Hole Comes to Langley

The Pie Hole, Jenell Parsons’ beloved Vancouver and Burnaby-based cafe, has expanded to Langley. Parsons founded the Pie Hole in 2011, starting with farmer’s markets and pop-ups before expanding to a brick and mortar location in 2017. In 2020, she published You Wanna Piece In Me?, a best-selling cookbook with over 100 recipes, tips and tricks. Setting up shop in what was previously The Pinkavo Cafe on the Fraser Highway one-way, The Pie Hole opened three days before Thanksgiving to enthusiastic, sweet-toothed customers. Serving up their famous classics like Raspberry Cream Crumble, seasonal favourites, half-pound cookies, and the Pie Hole’s own coffee, Parsons’ family business has already earned the trust of the Langley community, with regulars piling in on the daily. I sat down with Parsons to learn more about the Pie Hole’s brand new location. Tell me about what inspired you to start baking pies? JP: For me, pie…

Cafés September 15, 2023

New Autumn Pastries At Burnaby’s Mon Paris Pâtisserie

Paris-trained pastry Chef Elena Krasnova’s French pastry shop in Burnaby has been our go-to for delectable treats for years now. As with any true artist, inspiration comes from many sources, and the recent new offerings at Mon Paris Pâtisserie are inspired by Chef Krasnova’s recent travels. By Catherine Dunwoody Impressed by the abundant, fragrant, fresh lemons on Elena’s annual trip to Menton in the South of France, Elena could not resist creating a Lemon Meringue Croissant that is available only on weekends. Lemon trees dot the landscape in the South of France and are sold in markets and stands on every street corner. Celebrating the citrus fruit that Elena, and her eager customers love seemed like an obvious choice. “The aroma of sun-drenched fruit filled the air in this charming seaside town. As I wandered through the narrow stone streets, I encountered citron de Menton in various forms, from whole…

Chef Stories March 12, 2023

Teen Coffee Connoisseur Aevin Shares his Brew Secrets

At just 16 years old, Aevin Kumar knew he wanted to work in some capacity with coffee using ethical practices. Amidst the pandemic he put his dreams into reality and did just that. Sharing his unique story, the young and dynamic entrepreneur spills the beans on how it all started! By Avneet Takhar First off, tell us how at age 16 you got started in the coffee biz, Aevin?! Yes, I began Coffee Craze Company officially in March 2021- when I was 16 years old. My interest in coffee really started when my brother began introducing me to different types of coffee. I also studied various business courses back then, and I quickly became obsessed when I came across a local roaster in Maple Ridge, B.C, and tried some (coffee) selections. I started spending time planning, researching and deciding if this was something that I could do. With the support…

Surrey February 24, 2022

The Best Cafes to Get Work Done in Surrey

by Winnie Tam Whether you’re wanting a midday break while working from home, or you’re looking for a spot to work and reward yourself with a delicious treat at the same time, these gems in Surrey have got you covered. West Village Café West Village Café is a family-owned, community-based cafe, led by Jas Bhangoo. The café’s vision is to bring people together through nourishing, made-from-scratch food in a warm and inviting environment where everyone belongs, “like a village.” #160-5620 152nd Street, Surrey Get there on transit: Take the Expo Line Skytrain to King George Station, Board the 345 Bus heading East, get off at the Highway 10 stop, and it’s about a five-minute walk from there! *Photos care of West Village Cafe Kaffina Coffee Kaffina Coffee is a quality espresso and pour-over bar tucked away in South Surrey. It combines high-quality coffee and food that one would find…

Cafés October 13, 2021

New Westminster’s Cafes where Work Gets Done

By Kristi Alexandra The pandemic has many online workers a little Zoom fatigued, and co-working spaces aren’t as bustling as they once were pre-COVID. Luckily, for those who are used to the digital nomad life or who just miss seeing other folks “around the office,” there are a few spots in New Westminster where one can flip open a laptop and treat themselves to better-than-homebrewed beverages. Check out our favourites here. Old Crow Coffee Co. Art and industrial aesthetics meet at this Front Street café, where you’ll find rotating art from new artists hanging on the walls on a regular basis amid tables made from pipes. This spot caters to vegetarians and vegans alike, offering up fresh-made sandwiches, pastries, and occasionally, a delivery from Plates By Payts which serves plant-based sourdough doughnuts. Find a spot to get to work at one of the many tables available, including couch space to…

Cafés September 12, 2019

A New Westminster Riverfront Coffee Crawl

By Sonu Purhar Nothing beats a caffeinated pick-me-up, especially when paired with a tasty treat or three – and at New Westminster’s bustling waterfront, you’re spoiled for choice. The colourful district boasts a deliciously distinctive array of cafés where depending on the weather, you can lounge on sun-soaked patios or cozy up for some raindrop watching while indulging in fancy coffees or refreshing iced drinks, then continue onward for more. Read on for five stops that’ll hit the spot for coffee and culinary fans alike. Old Crow Coffee Co. 655 Front Street A cozy haven bursting with coffee and comforts, Old Crow pours Instagram-worthy brew enhanced by decadent pastries (check out the café’s social accounts for the eye candy otherwise known as “Donut Day”). The funky yet laid-back vibe is supported by rotating artwork to ogle while you sip, as well as regular events and a cute patio where you…

Cafés March 26, 2019

Home and Away at Vancouver’s Hidden Gem: Le Marché St. George

By Wade Kinley On a late weekend visit to Le Marché St. George, we shared the long table with two women who gazed about the cozy interior as they cupped their lattes in both hands. “Imagine if you lived in this neighbourhood,” one of the women said. “And this was your spot.” Indeed, it is the way this café-cum-general store makes you feel. Like that bistro you stumbled into on your first morning in Paris, or that bodega on your last night in New York. Like you are out in the world and at home all at once. Tucked into the bottom of a two-story mismatched-shingled building at 4393 St. George St, the café has captured the hearts of its Kensington neighbourhood, in part by fostering a feeling it’s been here as long as its hundred-year-old building, not just a near decade. Dark green paint that’s chipping on corners and weathered…

Cafés January 3, 2018

Water Shed Arts Café Nurtures Body, Mind and Spirit in Langley

By Brittany Tiplady Just off of the Trans-Canada highway, nestled into the heart of Langley, is a little cafe with a big vision. The space is simple and humble: white accents and lofty ceilings with exquisite art adorning the walls. On a Friday afternoon The Water Shed Arts Cafe is buzzing with customers, “it’s a busy day!” I note to Jenn Cornish, chef owner and operator. “Oh, this is nothing!” she says. “It gets really busy here.” The Water Shed Arts cafe may seem like a typical suburban haunt to the untrained eye, but that’s far from the truth. Cornish has created a safe haven; The Water Shed mandate is “to set the table for humanity where everyone is loved, welcomed, nourished and celebrated,” and that’s exactly what she does. The menu is generous, chock-full of locally sourced ingredients and hearty whole foods that cater to all tastes and dietary…

New Westminster March 27, 2017

Search for the Best Sandwiches in New Westminster

By Kristi Alexandra Global grub can be found all over the Lower Mainland, but where do you go to find a bite of comfort food? A map of some of the best places to find a great sandwich (besides the corporate franchises) in the Royal City of historic New Westminster will put your mother’s brown bags to shame. 1. Big Star Sandwich Co. The most obvious haunt to hit when craving a huge hunk of sandwich is downtown New Westminster’s Big Star Sandwich Co. Offering up 27 different sandwiches — like the beef dip with demi-glace gravy or the turkey and stuffing — on a fresh baked filone, this Columbia Street spot pairs subs with vintage sodas that Pop Tate would be proud to serve. 2. Columbia Street Sandwich Co. Tucked into a narrow shop front along Columbia Street, you’d be forgiven for missing this gem if not for its…

Shops & Markets September 24, 2015