50’s style diner tables and chairs, a retro menu cover to match, and a busy lunch counter. All part of a visit to Vancouver East Village’s Roundel Café.
This week, my husband and I ventured to this long-standing café on East Hastings, just east of Nanaimo Street. The friendly, colourful, child-friendly establishment has been run for nearly seven years by owners Dena Sananin and Mick Bateman, although the place has been here “forever”.
The interior features a series of acrylic paintings on one wall, with counter and bar on the other. On the day we visited, mixed young families, local urbanites, ladies doing lunch and older folk were all in for locally-sourced, home cooked goodness prepared by chefs Matthew and Dan.
Roundel cooks with fresh and organic (wherever possible) ingredients, using free-range Vita eggs.
Our beers were served in pint-sized mason jars. We chose a mellow Crannóg Insurrection India Pale Ale (glass $3.50; pint $4.75; pitcher $16) to go with our dishes.
I ordered a free-run organic chicken breast wrap with brie, sliced apple, lettuce and mayo ($11). It came along with either a salad or soup of the day. The chalkboard listed a tasty-sounding chipotle, zucchini, and corn soup, and delicious and hearty it was. The soft brie and chicken together with the green apple slices and lettuce were superb, as a whole wheat tortilla enrobed the fresh ingredients.
My husband’s burger was well-cooked and contained organic beef served with brown rice (or roasted potatoes) and salad ($9, $10 with cheese; $11.50 cheese & bacon). It’s hard to tell in the photo above but the burger is served on a whole wheat bun. Both these meals were enjoyed in a sunny spot by the window.
A selection of mixed indie music filled the room. We’ll have to return to try one of 15 gourmet milkshakes on the menu ($5; espresso and chai flavours, $6). As well, a Thursday special offers a burger and beer for $11.
An extensive variety of coffee, teas, mineral waters, cocktails, BC wines and local craft beer round out the menu. Our bill came to just over $30, including two entrées and beer, before tax and tip.
Roundel Café is located at 2465 East Hastings in Vancouver. Open Mondays and Tuesdays 9 am to 4 pm, Wednesdays to Fridays, 9 am to 9 pm, and on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm.
