Commune Cafe opened last summer and I hustled downtown to try their breakfast sandwiches and coffees, fully enjoying the selections.  Located on the corner of Seymour and Nelson, this is a convenient spot to pick up snacks or lunch to go the patio great for people watching and even heated for those colder Vancouver days. 

The menu was originally created by Tina Fineza, well known consulting chef about town, and the concept and drink list was the work of Annette Rawlinson, who has been brought in to shape up the front of house at many local hot spots. 

Evoke Design crafted the interior, and the spot has recently been featured in Hong Kong’s Space Magazine for its unique design.  Commune Cafe is a cosy room with one big communal table and smaller tables by the restaurants windows – all bright and cheery.

I hadn’t been down there in a while, so when the owners contacted me to update me some new developments, such as the expanded menu and their new iPhone application where those with the device can order through the phone, I went downtown to try out some dinner.

Ali and Amir Samei, the brothers who own Commune Cafe are charming hosts and have smartly redefined the menu by listening to their customers and keeping key items on the list, while expanding the selections to now include dinner items.  After 5 pm there is table service in the room and delivery is still available within a 1 km radius (as it is all day).

   

The menu is built on natural free-range meats & eggs, organic produce and 100% sustainable seafood-locally sourced.  Commune Cafe is a member of Greentable & Oceanwise, scoring points for being both responsible and delicious.

  

The Quinoa and Sablefish salad was fresh full of healthy grains, cucumber and raisins, with zesty lime and mint flavour, and the seared Salmon risotto was another dish that I will certainly revisit.  There are some great share plates for those just wanting snacks.  Homous and pita, spinach dips, flatbreads and chicken or salmon mousse with a salad or two would make a great light dinner. 

Meat eaters can satisfy their urges with the Berkshire Pork belly or the tender Braised Beef.

There’s a nice selection of local BC wines and beers, and the daily specials aren’t just run of the mill afterthoughts.  Monday there is endless soup of the day for $6, Wednesday a pound of mussels is just $9, Thursday is ethnic night, Friday Sangria and tapas, Saturday a four course dinner for $24 and there’s a Sunday roast for $12.

Commune Table is still doing great grab and go items such as their muffins, tarts and biscotti, all made in-house, but they’ve successfully moved beyond a mere cafe and are doing some serious meals.  There’s also a catering menu available, and the room is perfect for a small corporate event or meeting.

www.communecafe.ca
1002 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC (at Nelson)
604 681 2551