55 Kingsway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-6822

Web: n/a

Advice: free wifi

Large and spacious, café with high ceilings, large windows around the café with lots of wood as part of the décor. From the moment I walked in I was in awe, great to see such a nice café in the area with friendly baristas too! You will find photos for sale that adorn the walls, free wifi, bench seating, pillows, stool seating by the windows.

Espresso Macchiato

Raspberry Cream Cheese Croissant

There are sandwiches, all sorts of baked goods including croissants, muffins and cookies from Calabria bakery. There are smoothies, milkshakes, teas, cold beverages and Lavazza coffees. I had a Raspberry Cream Cheese Croissant ($2.25) and a Espresso Macchiato ($1.85)   Loved the ambience and the great space to work on my laptop writing this review. Coming back soon!

Review by: Richard Wolak

1319 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-8750

Web: www.michicafe.com

Advice: The best seat in the house is at the Syphon/Espresso bar.

Stylish café that showcases coffee at a stand alone Espresso/Coffee Bar within the café and if you are a coffee purist you will know where you are going to want to sit. Waffles also play a big part in this wonderful café and they have 7 different kinds of waffles including strawberry, dark chocolate, white chocolate, bacon and chocolate. The platters look amazing for $6.67 waffle, fruit slices and two sauces. They have smoothies such as a Japanese Matcha & Red Bean Smoothie for $4.70 and the Fresh Taro Smoothie for $3.75 as well as full leaf tea.

Green Tea Matcha Waffle

Espresso Macchiato

I had the Green Tea Matcha Waffle ($3.50) and a Espresso Macchiato ($3.05). They offer two brands of coffee from local roasters which include 49th Parallel and Origins coffee.

Review by: Richard Wolak

75 East Pender Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-681-3115

Web: http://www.everythingcafe.ca

Twitter: @EverythingCafe

Advice: Free wifi, table service.

The name says it all and it’s all about Everything at this café. This is the latest eating spot from Sean Heather and he has gotten it spot on with his foray into Chinatown. Everything Café serves up great sandwiches at great prices, you’ll find your favourite meatballs that you may have eaten at his other restaurant Judas Goat; and you’ll find so much more. Chef Lee Humphries is running the show in the kitchen turning out homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, charcuterie plates and pastries.

Meatball Sandwich

Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding

I have been in a couple of times and loved the Meatball Sandwich ($8.00) a wholewheat bun with tasty meatballs, sauce and topped with shavings of their cheese. I loved the newest dessert creation, Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding ($2.75) a vanilla brioche with chocolate bits and a chocolate drizzle overtop this is rich and delicious. Intelligensia brand coffee was welcomed and my Espresso Macchiato ($3) was perfect. This is a stylish café and I loved the red leather-backed banquette wall and the seats along the counter.

Review by: Richard Wolak

1262 Homer Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-899-1098

Web:  http://www.ganacheyaletown.com/

Advice: Come by after 11am daily for the fresh baked from the oven Almond and other Croissants.

Almond Croissant

Known for their pastries and spectacular wedding cakes, they are also a morning stop for many regulars who visit for their croissants as well as a coffee or other sweet specialties. I have had their outstanding delicious Almond Croissants ($3.25) as well as their delicious Pain au Chocolat ($3.00), a fellow by the name of Gaston swears by these pastries and he had suggested that I visit and that I did. The pastry case is filled with beautiful looking cakes, cheesecakes and pastries that range in price. They also have a variety of treats packaged on the side to go in this Parisian-style patisserie. There are seats inside as well where you can order an espresso or other beverage to accompany your sweets.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Afternoon Tea is an art and should be an extraordinary experience one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for you to indulge in an Afternoon Tea experience. Each of the places is unique in what they offer along with the type of service and selection of sandwiches, pastries and desserts. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places.

Here is the ninth of many places that I have visited recently. The Fish House is located in Stanley Park in Vancouver.

You will want to make sure that you make an advance reservation as they often fill up in advance, bring along a friend or two or three to join you in the experience.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $24.00 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Pear Green Tea” and my friend Alisha had the “Yin Yang Tea”.

3-tiered tray

A three tiered plate arrived to the table, we worked our way from the top plate to the bottom, the top layer had homemade organic Currant Scones served with Devonshire cream and jam along with some strawberry slices. The middle layer had an assortment of sandwiches that included Cucumber and Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon with honey mustard and Egg salad pinwheels. The bottom layer featured Classic Crème Brulee, Banana Bread, Lemon Tarts, Chocolate Mint cookie with white chocolate centre, and Pistachio Biscotti.

Scones

Sandwiches

Sweets

My thoughts –The service was very friendly, our server Holly was wonderful and this made for a delightful afternoon tea experience. The restaurant had an incredible view of Stanley Park and the water and we felt like being in a countrylike home. From the assortment of sandwiches I liked the Smoked Salmon with honey mustard, the scones were moist, delicious and flakey, the Lemon Tarts topped with meringue crisp were the best Lemon Tarts that I have had in my Afternoon Tea series. The Teas are from T in Vancouver.

Style: English Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 2pm – 4pm Daily

The Fish House

8901 Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver

For Reservations, please call 604-681-7275

Reservations can be made for: every day of the week, and cost $24.00

Stay tuned to part 10 of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Afternoon Tea is an art and should be an extraordinary experience one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for you to indulge in an Afternoon Tea experience. Each of the places is unique in what they offer along with the type of service and selection of sandwiches, pastries and desserts. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places.

Here is the eighth of many places that I have visited recently. Provence is located in the Point Grey neighborhood in Vancouver.

You will want to make sure that you make an advance reservation as they often fill up in advance, bring along a friend or two or three to join you in the experience.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $20.00 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Earl Grey” and my friend had the “English Breakfast”.

2-tiered tray

A two tiered plate arrived to the table, we worked our way from the bottom plate to the top, the bottom layer was filled with an assortment of Savouries, Crostini that included Roasted Red Pepper and Caper Crostini, Smoked Salmon and Cucumber, Proscuitto and Goat Cheese Melt, and Tomato & Bocconcini Brochette. The top layer plate had fresh baked Deux Scones served with Crème Fraiche and preserves along with House made Biscotti, Parisian Macarons, Madeleines and Lemon Lavender Tartelette.

My thoughts –Of all the afternoon tea services that I have experienced in my series thus far, this was the first to serve a two tiered plate. The scones were a little smaller than other scones I have had previously as this was a French Tea service.  I enjoyed the outstanding Crostini and my favourites were the Roasted Red Pepper and the Smoked Salmon & Cucumber. The Madeleines were the highlight from the Sweets selection; their Teas from Mighty Leaf. The service was hospitable and welcoming, our server took great care of us, she made sure the water in the tea pots was hot and refilled our pots with hot water throughout the service. This is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant that is frequented by a loyal clientele and tea service has been offered here since 2004. If you enjoy Bubbly, for an extra charge, you can have a glass of Kir Royale for $8.00, a glass of Brut Gold Label Blue Mountain (Canada) for $11.00 or a glass of De Venoge Brut Cordon Blue (France) for $20.00.

Style: French Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 2pm – 4:30pm Daily

Provence

4473 West 10^th Avenue, Vancouver

For Reservations, please call 604-222-1980

Reservations can be made for every day of the week, and cost $20.00 per person

Stay tuned to part 9 of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak