315 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Tel:  (604) 681-5776

Web: http://www.nelsontheseagull.com/

Twitter: @gastownseagull

Advice: Have a seat at the communal table and meet other folk.

This is the living room we all once lived in, or want to escape to now. I have visited a few times over the summer and love the high ceilings, open kitchen, the large communal table and of course the living room. The café is large, spacious and inviting, it is also a great people watching spot too!

The café has become the new spot for the community, for the creative people who live and work inside and outside of the Gastown area.

Avocado on Toast

Espresso

Lemon Tart

Chocolate Lava Cake

On my last visit I had the Avocado on Toast ($5) and previously an Espresso ($2.50) along with one of their delicious Lemon Tarts ($3.50) that oozed with sweet lemon along with the Chocolate Lava Cake ($3.50). Asides from the coffees on order, they bake bread and not just any bread, it’s a Ciabatta which is moist and chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outer crust, all of their sandwiches and toasts are on this wonderful bread.

Review By: Richard Wolak

212 East Georgia Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 568-8200

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Sit at the communal table or at the window.

Slightly secluded as it is off the beaten track of bustling Main Street in Chinatown/Strathcona, the café is well worth your discovery. First of all it is spacious and has that sort of NY feeling to it with its exposed brick walls, open 15 ft beam ceiling, distressed looking wooden tables and chairs. Secondly, there is a large communal table for sharing  while studying or working.

Carrot Cake

Espresso

I had the moist and tasty Carrot Cake ($2.95) with vanilla bean cream cheese icing and an Espresso ($2.75) made with 49th parallel coffee. The menu also includes baguette sandwiches, baked goods and beverages. They also offer an extensive brunch menu which I will get to trying one day soon.

Review By: Richard Wolak

4363 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-338-6914

Web: www.trilussa.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: If you want to get a mix of two pizzas, I suggest you order a Large and ask them if they can give you half and half. Closed Mondays.

I stumbled upon this Italian eatery the other day to my joyous discovery of seeing Chef Alessandro Fonseca behind the counter making his delicious Roman style pizzas. I know Alessandro from another eatery where he had developed this Roman style of pizza and pasta, he now opened his own place. Here the pizzas are available in regular and large servings as well as by the ½ or full size and there are always many different pizzas ready to eat-in or take-out. The Pizzas and the Pane Romano (Italian bread with toppings which is very similar to pizza) served on their wooden slab serving board (clever, asides from a great presentation it is also an easy way of serving).

Abruzzo

I was in for lunch and had the Abruzzo ($5.50 Regular) pizza topped with Soppressata Salami and Mozzarella along with a soda. You will also find sandwiches on rustic Italian bread, (several selections to choose) along with some soups. There is also an espresso bar to have a coffee to begin or end your meal. Already looking forward to my next visit for a slice of the Roman Flat Bread topped with Nutella!

Review by: Richard Wolak

#115- 3900 Moncton Street, Richmond

Tel: 604-284-5126

Web: http://www.rocanini.com/

Twitter: @rocanini

Advice: Have a seat at the large Communal Table.

This is one of those cafes that I would frequent if I lived nearby, it would probably become my office or my living room! Impressive stylish room, large and spacious with lots of seating including the communal table.

Cappuccino

Espresso Macchiato

I was in Steveston for Fish & Chips, first stop was for coffee and not just any coffee. I had an Espresso Macchiato ($2.85) and my friend had a Cappuccino ($3.10) both were very good. They roast their own coffee at their roastery in Vancouver so their coffee is fresh which is important. The baristas behind the bar are passionate on making the perfect cup of coffee. One of the star attractions here is the Syphon Coffee as well as their Drip coffee, there are choices for the type of coffee to savour!

I love the layout of the café, there is also a selection of fresh baked goods, sandwiches and desserts in the case to tempt you to indulge!

Review by: Richard Wolak

140 East Esplanade Avenue, North Vancouver

Tel: (778) 340-3379

Web: http://www.cafeforcontemporaryart.com/

Twitter: @cafca140

Advice: Check out their website for their events calendar.

Anytime I am on the North Shore I stop in for a visit to this wonderful café that has an art gallery inside the café. The idea for the art gallery is to showcase local artisans and to provide customers with an escape of sorts, to walk through the exhibits while sipping espressos and other café beverages. The café is beautiful, spacious and well-layed out and has baristas who are passionate about making great coffee.

Espresso

My beverage of choice here is an Espresso ($3) that is always served with a bite size cookie. You will find a complete beverage menu of coffees, tea, and juice along with sandwiches, scones, cookies, muffins and more.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Sangkak Iranian Flatbread

The food is local, sustainable, organic and free-range and is either made in house or by local producers. Pedro and I shared the tasty Sangkak Iranian Flatbread ($9) topped with garlic roasted portabello mushrooms and goats cheese.

Iced Espresso

Blackout Raspberry Cupcake

Food for the Gods

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble

Each of us had an Iced Espresso ($2.45) and then we shared a few desserts including the Filipino inspired Food for the Gods ($1.75) square; the Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble ($3.25) tart and the Blackout Raspberry Cupcake ($2.75). The inventive menu was created by talented Chef Tina Fineza who put together a well thought out menu starting off with breakfast treats such as organic Yogurt and panini to Nutella on Brioche Toast to scrambled eggs. For lunch there is an assortment of panini, cold and hot sandwiches, salads such as the Commune Harvest Salad along with some share plates such as the Commune Hummous. After 5pm, for dinner you will find the Iranian Flatbread as well as a Lemon Roasted Rossdown Chicken that I am going to have on my next visit. The beverage lineup is equally impressive Annette Rawlinson put together a wonderful menu of wines and beer from this area and there are also many different hot and cold espresso beverages and tea. This is a place you are going to want to be morning, noon and night!

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