cafe medina, vancouver

Everyone has recommended Cafe Medina to me and they have also warned me about the morning crowds. But after learning about the upgraded seating capacity in their new location, I arrived bright and early with high hopes of getting a table under 20 minutes.

Nope. A big fat nopity nope.

Despite its newly expanded space, the line- ups are still happening. It was an hour and half wait for just the two of us.

But I guess that's okay because you can use that time to admire the gorgeous new location - the high ceilings, large windows that welcome the natural light, an open kitchen, a bar and walls decorated with classic, elegant quaint touches and fine details.

The new quarters doesn't only allow for increased seating capacity but also an expanded menu. Being the indecisive person I am, I struggled over what to get, pouring over the menu, and finally settled on the popular fricassee. It was a close match between Medina's famous paella and the fricassee.

Fricassée ($17.00):
Two fried eggs, braised short ribs, roasted potatoes, caramelised onions, applewood smoked cheddar with grilled focaccia. 

This was so great on so many levels.

First you have melt-in-your mouth braised short ribs - so flavourful and so tender they just fall apart from the jab of a fork. As you savour the beef, you'll be hit by a rich sauce with super intense flavours. Then, you'll taste the hint of sweetness from the caramelised onions, followed by the pungent peppery arugula sitting under the eggs, which might not look like much, but gives the whole dish a whole new dimension. Oh, and the roasted potatoes just makes this dish all the more hearty and satisfying. Finally, top all of that off with two perfect oozy, sunny side eggs.

Oh, so perfect.

My dining companion opted for something lighter and equally as good.

Saumon Fumé ($13.00):
One fried egg, smoked wild salmon cream cheese, pickles, sliced avocado, arugula, peppadew and artichoke salad on grilled ciabatta. 

It was so prettily presented as an open faced ciabatta sandwich with a fried egg, a puree of smoked salmon with cream cheese, a generous serving of ripe and sliced avocado and an arugula, peppadew and artichoke salad. I loved the chunks of smoked salmon and the salty peppery flavours from the capers and arugula. It felt extremely light but it was more than enough to fill you up.

Oh, and you can't leave without trying Medina's famous waffles.

Liege-Style Waffles with Topping ($4.15):
Liege-style waffles with peach and bourbon butterscotch. 

Oh, damn these waffles were crisp, fluffy and not too sweet. It was everything I've ever wanted in a waffle. Dip that in a sweet peach-boubon butterscotch sauce, blueberry-juniper preserve, white chocolate pistachio rose water sauce or just the classic maple syrup and you have perfection!

If you're on the run, grab one to go because I guarantee these will make your morning a whole lot better and if  you're not rushed for time, brunch here is definitely worth the wait!

Cafe Medina
780 Richards St
Vancouver, BC V6B 3A6
f: https://www.facebook.com/medinacafe
t: (604) 879-3114
w: http://medinacafe.com/