GRANDMAMA'S CAFE

Tucked around the corner on Balsam Street just north of West 41st Avenue you will find a charming, detached building that houses Grandmama’s Café, Kerrisdale’s new gem of a restaurant. You will instantly spot the quaint business with its big windows, black and white striped awning, and attractive pink signage. Grandmama’s Café opened last September and is quickly building a loyal clientele.

People gather here for home-cooked meals. Students enjoy the relaxed environment where they can dine or enjoy a cup of coffee while they study. Many local seniors have claimed the restaurant as their new gathering place.

Irfan Hakim is the owner of Grandmama’s Café. He made some cosmetic changes to create an open concept and the result is an aesthetically pleasing bright and airy space.

Three years ago, Irfan and his family relocated to Vancouver from Mumbai where he had worked in the lifestyle product business. The family is well travelled and visited Vancouver often; they love Kerrisdale and settled here.

Irfan mentions, “We always had an intention to do something in the café industry. We had been scouting around in Kerrisdale, and by luck, we found the former business was for sale. We had keen eyes and we knew we could make it into something new,” he says.

This is his first venture as a restaurant owner. His wife Sana has culinary training and assists Irfan.

Irfan comments, “This would not have been possible without the support of my family. I must credit my daughter Ilham who is studying Life Sciences at UBC. She is the visualizer and creative head of the company. She contributed to the aesthetics, design, and logo. My eldest son Wahed is attending UBC’s Sauder School of Business. He set up the business model for Grandmama’s Café.”

Both Irfan and his wife lost their mothers to COVID. Their children felt nostalgic and wanted to honour their grandmothers by naming the establishment after them. Irfan says, “Just like us, both of our mothers were foodies. They had many recipes to share. Old-time cafés are few and far between. We are inspired by international fusion cuisine that we experienced on our travels around the world.”

The glass display cases are filled with sweet and savoury temptations. Most of the baked goods and desserts are prepared in house; some are prepared by like-minded partners. A sampling of the tempting baked goods includes pecan tarts, Long Johns, cinnamon twists, oversized cookies, biscotti, and red velvet slices.

A large chalkboard lists a wide range of beverages (espresso, frappé, organic tea, iced tea, milkshakes) and menu items that can either be enjoyed when you dine in (with proof of COVID-19 vaccinations) or to take away and enjoy at home.

The menu features a variety of Liège waffles including pistache et rose (toasted pistachio, fresh cream, drizzled with rose nectar and pistachio sauce), au chocolat, blueberry and lemon, Mama’s classic and biscoff. On the savoury side, customers love the honey glazed chicken and waffle (crispy chicken on a Belgian Liège waffle served with Mexican chili, smoked butter honey sauce and fresh greens), the dynamite chicken waffle and the avocado waffle.

Another popular pick is the all-day English breakfast with scrambled or poached eggs, turkey sausage, sauteed mushrooms, tomatoes, and toast with butter and jam. If you are craving chicken or vegetable congee and Brazilian mini cheese balls, they are also on the all-day breakfast menu.

Hearty comfort food takes diners on a world tour with dishes such as Thai curry, chicken stroganoff, slow-cooked pot beef, Grandmama’s special prawn and broccoli, Mediterranean chickpea bowl, customized curries, and the butter chicken bowl.

Grandmama’s does not have a fixed menu yet. They are enjoying the process of exploring different cuisines and getting customer feedback. Irfan says, “Our customers are essential. They are contributing to the evolving menu with their suggestions. Every day is a learning experience.”

He shares, “It’s a delight after a long day at work to hear very pleasant remarks from customers. There are so many smiles that I carry home.”

“A lot of people ‘own’ the café. They have preferred chairs and tables,” says Irfan. He and his staff know where they like to sit and even know roughly what time of the day they will visit.

Kerrisdale residents want to see Grandmama’s Café succeed. Irfan tells a story about receiving a postcard every 10 days for the last three months wishing them well and thanking them for being there. He did not have a clue who their secret admirer was. He remarks, “One day a fine gentleman landed at the door and confessed he had been sending the postcards. He represents the investment people have in the café.”

Irfan concludes, “These last five months have been lovely. We are here for our passion.”

Grandmama’s Cafe

5687 Balsam Street Vancouver, BC V6M 4B5 Telephone 604-261-1800 www.grandmamascafe.ca