Waazubee Cafe - 1622 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
It is a Sunday night and we decide that we feel like a nice casual meal. After a recommendation from a friend, we decide to check out the Waazubee Café on Commercial Drive.
Commercial Drive began as a melting pot of ethnic minorities. The district’s popularity amongst creative types has grown in recent times and so too have the restaurants and nightlife.
The café isn’t too busy tonight. There are about four other tables of diners and during our meal about three more tables come and go. Waazubee serves what is best described as contemporary fare. The menu is well priced with appetizers at around $9-$12, sandwiches and burgers at around $14, and Entrees (Mains) between $18-$24.
There is a warm and cosy feeling about the place. It is casual yet the service and ambiance is of a high standard. It has elements of a European distressed walled café yet it is complemented with a nice rustic appeal.
We are starving and decide to order the crab dip with Johnny Cakes appetizer and an entrée each. I go for the duck breast served on a chorizo paella cake and sweet potato mash with asparagus and fried olives and the princess decides to have the wasabi crusted salmon fillet served on a sweet potato mash with beans, carrots and asparagus.
My first warning about dining at Waazubee is that the portions are extremely generous and that they also serve you bread. Complementary bread is becoming less common these days and often we order our meals without its expectation and allocation.
The crab dip was enough to start off four of us. It was a rich cheesey dip accompanied with “Johnny Cakes” for dipping, which were a bit on the heavy side but nevertheless indulgent.
In view of our impending entrees, we decided to give up work on the dip.
The Salmon entrée is also generous. Two large salmon fillets served over the accompaniments. The princess was well satiated. The duck breast was perfectly cooked however the accompaniments were so generous they simply took over the plate.
The beverage list is well stocked, well priced and there is a separate section for Gin and Rum which seemed to be a Waazubee specialty.
We decided to throw caution to the wind and shared the mocha Crème Brulee for dessert. I am somewhat of a Crème Brulee purist. I am not too fond of chefs wanting to put their twist on what I believe is one of the all time great desserts. Usually it is with a few mere berries hidden in the middle but this on the other hand is a different dessert altogether.
The chocolate and coffee flavours are rich and delicious and the dessert is served with caramel, strawberry and chocolate coulis so you can create your own sensation in each mouthful.
All in all a very enjoyable night out.
Feels like:
Café Cezanne (Auckland) on Oxford St in Darlinghurst (Sydney) meets Joe Diamonds (now Mars lounge - Sydney)
