V Cafe seeks to find demand amongst college crowds
By Aaron Guillen, Staff Reporter
The moment you step inside V Cafe, you feel like youâve found a home away from home. The atmosphere of the simplistic space, filled with white chairs and wooden tables, takes the aspect of a hipster hole-in-the-wall and adds a hospitable vibe similar to entering a friendâs home. Yet, on a Tuesday afternoon, youâd be surprised to find that not a single customer is inside.
All in all, the customer service was phenomenal, with a warm greeting upon entry, and attention to every detail of the order. After making chitchat about the newness of the cafe itselfâthe restaurant having opened at the tail-end of Septemberâthe woman offered me a green smoothie she had been experimenting with for a new menu item for free. Her kindness was further displayed throughout the time I spent there, as she brought over the food to the table and checked in after to see what I thought.
I decided on the three-item special ($1.50 off) which boasted a mish-mash of soups, drinks, sandwiches, and rolls to choose from. The vegan banh mi sandwich, tofu salad roll, and a Vietnamese iced coffee called my name. The total price came to $12 before taxes. Within 10 minutes, the food was in my mouth, lighting up my taste buds.
Firstly, the banh mi sandwich ($5), a classic pick, is similar to something made at home. What the portion size lacked, the rustic traditional feel made up for. The baguette, filled with tofu, veggies, and a light spread of sauces is unapologetically aware of âits simplicity. Understandably, some might forgo this choice due to that exact reason. The optional addition of jalapeños packed a spicy punch partnered with the sriracha at my table. For those who canât take the heat, steer clear of any jalapeños, as the deadly combination might be too hot to handle.
Next, the salad roll ($5), being light and refreshing, is the epitome of the perfect on-the-go snack. The roll holds the tofu, vermicelli, and veggies tight within the thin translucent rice wrap. While the generously filled wraps are decent on their own, the shining star is the satay sauce. The blend of hoisin and peanut sauce together creates a dip that you will run out of quickly.
Lastly, the coffee ($3.50) tied the meal together with a delicious bittersweet hit of flavour. The woman asked for my preference and worked accordingly, allowing me the ease of not having to add more sugar. While the ice to coffee ratio was on the dot, I was disappointed with the amount of drink in my cup. While most beverages are expected to be filled to the brim, this coffee came up only three quarters of the way up.
In you ask me, the V Cafe is a hit. On top of their great food, the local business is in the perfect location in terms of distance from the Douglas College New Westminster campus. When it comes to future success, itâs not a matter of how, but of when. With free WiFi (psst! the password is: Ilovevcafe), an ever-changing menu (pho coming soon), and potential student discounts in the near future, V Cafe is set to be a fan favourite among college students. Before you stop by, keep in mind that the hours are tentatively 10 a.m.â7 p.m. and the business is currently accepting cash only.
