MAXINE'S CAFE AND BAR || Our New Go-to Neighbourhood Hangout in Vancouver's West End
Just like Nonna used to make it, Alain shared as we dug our forks into the delicious eclair.
Maxine’s Cafe has recently launched a revamped menu, and after our visit, we can share that many of the dishes from appetizers to desserts make for the perfect satisfying meal. Laid-back and casual, Maxine’s food and drink programmes and its décor were conceived to offer all the comfort and familiarity of a well-appointed, come-as-you-are, neighbourhood haunt.
The bar anchors the dining room.
Designed by award-winning, Vancouver-based design firm Ste. Marie, the newly built space seats 70 (interior) and enjoys two 16-foot, east- and south-facing window walls for an abundance of natural light. Inspired as much by the funky watering holes of Soho as the corner bistros of Europe, Maxine’s interior is awash in seasoned oak millwork, cane-backed bistro stools, antiqued tin ceilings and gleaming Carrara Bianco marble. A 24-seat, covered and heated patio faces onto Harwood Street, as does a smaller patio attached to a conservatory-style room that can be partitioned off for private events.
A seat by the window provides the perfect lighting
The bar anchors the dining space, greeting guests as they enter and hinting at the good vibes to come for the evening. Plush booth seating line the walls, and patrons laugh and chat over cocktails as they twirl the pasta on their forks. The bartender is seen offering his expertise to those seated at the bar over the course of the evening, whipping up tasty cocktails.
The bartender making recommendations to those seated at the bar.
Cocktails such as the Espresso Martini are a tasty pick me up during Happy Hour.
Tuna Crudo with sauce gribiche, pomme gaufrettes caper berries.
The Roquefort sauce on the 8oz PEI Striploin Steak Frites was also superb, as we were expecting a heavy sauce but it turned out to be creamy and tasty without feeling too decadent. Thin, crispy and crunchy fries accompany the dish for a hearty meal.
The scent of the Ricotta Gnocchi already made our mouths water, but the marshmallow-like, fluffy texture of the gnocchi was simply heavenly. Plus, the generous portion of creamy wild mushrooms makes this dish extra decadent.
Ricotta Gnocchi with wild mushrooms, leeks, fontina fondu.
Finally, the dessert highlight we’ve been waiting for — the eclair. While there are other enticing dessert options, Alain’s enthusiasm as he described the eclair as “just how nonna used to make it back home” won us over. We are glad we made that choice, as the eclair is of a sizeable portion, and even after diving it amongst the two of us we each felt we had a full-sized dessert. The creamy dulce de leche cream paired with the crunch of the sprinkled hazelnuts on top made us smile with every bite.
What I would love to do now is head over to Maxine’s and buy an eclair to bring home so I could enjoy it with a cup of hot tea. What could be a better way to enjoy the winter season?
The decadent eclair with dark chocolate and hazelnut just like nonna used to make it.
The patio will offer additional seating during the winter months.