Commune Cafe
Commune Cafe opened this summer at the Level building around Nelson and Seymour. It’s run by two respected veterans of the local food industry: Annette Rawlinson of Au Petit Chavignol and Chef Tina Fineza of Les Faux Bourgeois.
It’s cute simple place which is in a style of a cafeteria. The ‘communal’ idea is reinforced with a long table in the middle of the room. There’s also a patio seating area to enjoy the remaining sunny Summer weather. You order at the counter and they’ll bring the food to your table. The menu comprises of 24 items which ranges from breakfast sandwiches, paninis, salads, flatbreads, and a few main dishes. Within a few weeks of opening, it has become a go to place for lunch for the local office dwellers. It’s only a few blocks away from Yaletown so it’s nice getaway from the hub.
The theme of the cafe encompasses what every health-conscious Vancouverites want: locally sourced, sustainable, and organic food. Even their furniture and cleaning products are environmentally friendly.
My friend and I wanted to just a few light items to share. We couldn’t make up our minds so we shared a flat bread. I’m including a picture of another flatbread I tried when I was there a few weeks prior.
We shared a pesto, shrimp, and parmesan flat bread
And on my own, I had the portobello, roasted garlic, goat cheese one
Both flatbreads were light, simple, and crispy. Even with the cheese, it tasted healthy and fresh.
When I saw the lemon tart, I knew I had to try it
I like the homemade taste to it and the subtle sweet citrus balance. It’s comparable to the Sweeney’s lemon tart.
For a light casual meal and a refresher from the Yaletown scene, grab a friend and eat together at Commune Cafe.
Commune Cafe
1002 Seymour Street
The PNE 2010
The PNE is about the rides, the animal farm, the crowds, the games, the food, the dog show…and the memories. 100 years worth of memories
I haven’t been to PNE for awhile now so I welcomed the sense the nostalgia when I stepped onto the grounds. It was a sunny Saturday so the the crowds came in droves. One of the first things I wanted to do was just walk around and take in the atmosphere. Along the way, we played games that were obviously hard to win…except Whack a Mole! I won myself a monkey on the first try! My friends braved the Revelation.
Secondly, we wanted to try all the bad snacks our stomaches could handle.
There was good old fashion cotton candy
And after much walking around, it was time for dinner. We planned to check out the various food stands and munch to our heart content. When I saw the Roaming Dragon Food Truck, I knew that was my meal of the night
I’ve been a strong critic of local Asian fusion but now trying to be more open minded about it. Explaining why I’m such a non-supporter of that cuisine would take up a full post. But if fusion restaurants follow the foot steps of izakayas and Roaming Dragon, I’m willing to convert.
We ordered the braised pork belly sliders, Korean shortribs taco, and curry fries to share. The sliders with tender pork belly and pickled cucumbers topped with green onions are served on steamed mantou. The pork was soft and delicate which is attributed to excellent braising. The Korean shortribs taco was super packed with beansprouts, carrots, spinach, shitake mushrooms with this sweet tangy sauce which sort of reminded me of hoisin. It was served in small tortillas lined with a sheet of nori. The fries were pretty simple with seasoning salt drizzled with a light curry sauce. It was all washed down with a refreshing lychee basil lemonade..I bet it would taste even better as a cocktail
We also considered lining up for the mini donuts and beaver tails but we preferred to leave our digestive systems in good shape for the ultimate fried food: garlic poutine, deep fried oreos and deep fried mars bars.
Garlic poutine was a bowl of hot fried mess of gravy and cold cheese curd.
And you can’t really critique packaged junk food that’s been battered and deep fried…and mutated into mush. But now I can claim I’ve tried it and survived.
It was long day of work, food, walking, and ’search for game with the best toys’. The PNE is really a summer cornerstone of Vancouver and a yearly pilgrimage that’s worth doing. Next year, I’m going to do a true blender fender of coasters and cuisine.
(food photo credits to Allan Chang and his fancy-I-really-want Lumix camera)
PNE – Pacific National Exhibition
2901 East Hastings Street
Vancouver Food Tour – Modern-Chic Chinatown Tour
I took part in the Modern Chic Chinatown Tour with the knowledgeable and charming Melody. It was also for a good cause as 50% of the proceeds that night went to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.
It was a fun group of tourists, locals, and notable bloggers/twitterers (*wink* Erin Gee , FoodandTell, @MainlyMain)
The tour was a good mix of history and fusion food. She brought us to the new boutique restaurants around the neighborhood that showcased the growing trendiness and gentrification of the area.
Along the way, she provided tidbits of local history. The menu and drinks were carefully planned so we didn’t find ourselves eating the same type of food at each place. It was interesting though to witness some of the tourists ‘bravely’ trying out the dishes. As Vancouverites, I think we take it for granted the amazing variety of cuisines in this city. Below is a sampling of the many innovative drinks and bites.
What I thought was cool was the restaurant owners also acted as hosts and would come by to chit chat with the group.
Overall, it was a fun (and funny) night of meeting new people, drinking excellent cocktails, and enjoying new eats. Thanks Mel!
Vancouver Food Tour
Twitter: @VanFoodTour
