Address: 920 Pandora Ave.
Phone: (250) 590-8464
Website: www.relishfoodcoffee.com/
Price: ~$12 (varies daily)
Notes: An ever changing menu of breakfast & lunch dishes
Relish opened up a few years ago in the 'sketchy' block of Pandora, a location that has traditionally had a fairly high turnover for restaurants and coffee shops. Their concept is kind of a down-market Devour with a larger menu and a fair bit of Asian influence. The menu changes frequently although there seem to be a few items that are on frequent, if not permanent, rotation. They also have a brunch menu on Saturday mornings, featuring a regular menu of bennies and simple breakfasts.
The space feels more like a coffee shop than a restaurant. It is small, but feels bigger because of high ceilings, and large windows at the front. Although it is small in size, there are quite a few tables, including some communal/larger group seating, to pack in as many people as possible during the lunch rush. The kitchen is also fairly open to the main dining area, especially if you are at the front counter, adding to a feeling of casualness and intimacy.
Food:
December 1, 2012
I recently visited for brunch for the first time. Essentially, the brunch menu is exactly what I expected from Relish - simple breakfasts with a slight twist to make them feel local and delicious. I was excited to see their house-smoked pork benny on the menu... although I was tempted by something that included house-smoked bacon, I ultimately decided to go for the benny on the recommendation of the server.
Although I was distracted by the conversation I was having with my brunching companion, so my attention to detail was lacking, I thoroughly enjoyed the benny. The hollandaise was plain, but flavourful and the eggs were cooked perfectly. The side potatoes were made more interesting with the addition of roasted veggies, although the type of potatoes (the waxy kind) meant they suffered from a lack of crispiness that I generally enjoy with my breakfasts, but that's a personal taste more than anything else.
Service:
December 1, 2012
The service was quite good. Ordering was swift, although we took longer than usual to decide, and our meal came quickly. Our coffees and waters were topped up frequently. I was surprised to read later that day that it was her first day serving, although I got the impression that she worked elsewhere in the restaurant? Clearly a fast learner!
