New Sunday morning, new brunch spot! After a first amazing brunch at Jam Café, I have been on the lookout for serious contenders in Vancouver. After browsing the web, I decided that my next stop would be Forage. This all-day restaurant serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays and it has consistently been ranked among the best brunches in West End over the years (says their website…).
The Atmosphere
I went to Forage at around 10am on a Saturday morning and I was able to get a seat pretty much right away. There was no line up so that was definitely a plus!
The inside was a bit more upscale than an average café, so if you are looking for a slightly more formal setting, you should be pleased.
The Food
Forage uses local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients to elaborate their dishes.
Salted Duck Yolk Custard Stuffed French Toast, House-made ‘Nutella’, Ginger Pearls, Summer Berries, Condensed Milk ($17)
I was in the mood for a sweet treat so I ordered the French toast with home-made Nutella. It was good, although I found the toppings a bit scarce. The home-made nutella was really the highlight of the plate, but the helping was not quite enough for two slices of bread. To my surprise, the ginger pearls were in fact tapioca balls. They were good, but somehow I found them out of place on the French Toast. The fruits were fresh and the bread was well prepared. Overall, it was a good pick.
Free Range Eggs Benedict, Twice Cooked Potatoes, House Made Back Bacon, Hollandaise ($19)
The Eggs Benedict were very well done, but there is nothing more to say about them. It was simple, subtle and enjoyable.
Black Coffee and Oat Milk Latte
I ordered an Oat Milk Latte and it was bland. So bland that I first thought the barista had forgotten to put coffee in. I ended up asking for an extra shot of espresso, but it did not do the trick. Thinking about it, there was probably a problem with the coffee machine. The presentation was nice so it was even more disappointing.
Overall
Is Forage truly the best brunch spot in West End? I don’t think so. However, it is a good option if you want to step up from regular diners or coffee shops.
First of all, the food was good, but not mind-blowing. I did not like the coffee and I am usually not fussy about it. Now, it may just have been bad luck.
If you value atmosphere over food, you will probably like Forage. The service was good and friendly. Price-wise, it was a reasonable meal, but personally I won’t go out of my way to go back there. Despite the line up, I would choose Jam Café or Nero over Forage without hesitation.
Forage
Opening hours: open from Wednesday to Sunday from 7am to 9pm (closes in the afternoon)
Website: click here
Address: 1300 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C5
Telephone: (604)-661-1400
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
