Café Régalade
Brunch at Cafe Regalade is Kitsilanos best kept secret. Chefs, discerning diners and Francophiles line up for the regional variations on French country breakfasts which embellish sunny side up eggs with savoury sides ranging from short ribs and chorizo to pearl onions, mushrooms and white beans. Generous portions and a talented chef take simple bistro fare from good to excellent. The dinner menu also tempts with all the wiles of Julia Child. Flawless beef bourguignon and duck a lorange compete with tempting West Coast-inspired seasonal specials.
2836 W 4th, CafeRegalade.com
The Kings Head Inn
Die-hard Kitsilano regulars resurrected the Kings Head Inn in December 2012 by boycotting the Wings franchise that replaced it. Now in its 40th year, give or take the dark patch, the Kings Head attracts a blend of old-timers, rowdy UBC students and partiers doing the Yew Street/Kits Beach circuit with an irresistibly cheesy neighbourhood pub atmosphere. Manager Jimmy Darbyshire (left) is restoring the dark wood furniture where patrons love to carve their names. Hes added a 10 taps of craft beer, Buck Hunter and dirt cheap daily specials.
1618 Yew, TheKingsHeadKits.com
Leo Boutique
Leo Boutique is giving West 4th temples of chic, Gravity Pope Tailored Goods and Moule, stiff competition when it comes to dressing Kitsilanos elite. The boutique has a competitive, unpredictable roster of exclusive brands such as Vancouvers own wings + horns, Berlin-designed CLOSED, and Nudie Jeans organic Swedish-made denim. With an ambiance more Main Street than West 4th, Leos brought a refreshingly young undercurrent to Kitsilano retail offerings.
2072 W 4th, LeoBoutique.com
Golden Aura Organic Eatery
Vegetarians have sought out Kitsilano since the Naam, Vancouvers quirky 24/7 veg restaurant, opened in 1968. Skip the queue and head to Golden Aura Organic Eatery, the new kid which specializes in meatless cuisine 2.0. Owner Mahan Khalsa (right) has curated an organic, vegan and often raw menu. Try her spin on pho: pho-ever soup with kelp, carrot and zucchini noodles in spicy black sesame miso. Linger over a wine glass of fresh-pressed Shivas nectar and a slice of avocado coconut pie while enjoying the uplifting vibes from the raised Moroccan-style seating. Khalsa is as serious about ambiance as she is about food; she intended Golden to be a temple for body and spirit.
2680 West Broadway, GoldenAura.ca
49th Parallel and Luckys Doughnuts
Vince Piccolo, who brought single origin espresso and iconic Tiffany-green ceramics to the caffeine addicts on West 4th, isnt one to rest on his laurels. 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is moving down the block to bigger digs this June, increasing their 21-seat capacity to 90, including a spacious patio for people watching. The best bit? The hip, French retro-inspired cafe has room for Piccolos other passion: Luckys Doughnuts. Luckys will make 15 wacky square and round doughnut varieties, such as crunchy PB& J and decadent apple bacon fritters, in-house daily.
2198 West 4th, 49thParallelRoasters.com, Luckysdoughnuts.com
Waffle Gone Wild
The sweet aroma of caramelized pearl sugar in a fresh Belgian Liège waffle is the most effective marketing ploy. Since its March opening, Waffle Gone Wild has taken off by luring in foot traffic and keeping them with their corrugated waffle goodness. You may think you have to choose between savoury (try black forest ham and and cheese) and sweet (we like banana Nutella), but stop waffling and have both.
2967 West Broadway, WaffleGoneWild.com
Petes Meat
As the artisan butcher craze rages on, Petes stands out for the in-shop service from Pete and the gang (right) who are happy to advise on recipes. The brightly-lit, diner-style space leaves zero room for concern about sanitation. Their best offering? You cant go wrong with any of the cuts of 45-day, dry-aged AAA grass-fed BC beef. If you find yourself too hungry to focus on decision making, grab Petes in-house sandwich, a rotisserie beef chuck roll that comes au jus, before you make the tough call.
2817 Arbutus, Petes-Meat.com
Bioethique Holistic Day Spa and Boutique
Those who eat and shop organic know that enlightened beauty isnt as available as pristine food. The exception is Bioethique Holistic Day Spa and Boutique which makes it easy to be ethical. Bioethique crafts their certified organic products with cold-pressed extra virgin oils and primary plant extracts at a green lab in Provence. Bliss out with a facial (which start at $50) in their lovely, minimalist Kits storefront. The combo of custom-mixed natural products and LED light therapy will rejuvenate your skin in time for summer.
3578 West 4th, BioethiqueSpa.com
O5 Tea
When O5 first opened, critics predicted a swift demise for the sleek specialist tea bar and boutique. Luckily, they were wrong. Owner and tea hunter Pedro Villalon obsessively sources terroir based tea far and wide from regions including China, Jamaica and the Himalayas. Try the sophisticated brews at the tasting bar before you shop. If you want the full experience, dont miss the intimate fun at O5s Tea + Spirits tasting events series which bring in the best Vancouver bartenders.
2208 West 4th, O5Tea.com
Stepback
As Kitsilano shoppers know, its nearly impossible to pass Stepbacks windows without pausing to admire old-fashioned schoolroom furniture, beautifully faded maps and globes, and apothecary accessories. Its such carefully curated vintage, nearly every piece pleads choose me. Step into the void and emerge hours later with a bit of simple beauty, large or small, to embellish your home space.
3026 W Broadway, Stepback.ca
