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Uncommon Cafe, The

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DETAILS

d726ac94cb682d8506472b4bb2b8ea1b477 Powell St. (corner of Jackson) | Vancouver, BC
Telephone: 604-254-0477 | Email: info [at] theuncommoncafe.com
Web: www.theuncommoncafe.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Mon – Fri, 7:30am – 4pm | Brunch Saturday’s, 10am – 3pm

GALLERY

  • Veggie Burger
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  • Fresh Sandwich
  • Muffin
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  • Quinoa Salad
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  • BOB
  • Avacado on Toast

Key People

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Luc Leimanis: Owner & Chef
Lisa Leimanis: Owner & Food Taster
Valentine Kitamura: Baker

About The Uncommon Cafe

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Local couple Luc & Lisa Leimanis have recently joined the growing network of eateries in Japantown / Railtown with the opening of the Uncommon Cafe. They did this with the vision of being part of the Vancouver Food industry in two ways: have a comforting space for the East Van community to come in, chill and eat delicious homemade food; and, start a commissary to support other small local food companies trying to make a difference in the lower mainland. The entire menu is made in-house by the Uncommon Chef, Luc, with all of their baked goods handmade fresh daily by in-house baker, and owner of Tartine & Maple, Valentine Kitamura.

So far their menu has been a big hit with the locals, both with first timers and the growing group of regulars. With an extensive sandwich and salad menu, and a large variety of fresh baked goods, customers are loving the scones stating they are the best in the city and many of the baking recipes come straight from the family recipe book, aka Grandma. They’re her chocolate-chip cookies (recently tweeted about by The Vancouver Foodster) and it’s her bread dough that makes up the Porky bun, the Veggie Roll and the B.O.B. (bacon & onion bun) which was recently blogged about by Nosh & Nibble. Some of the other recipes, the scones & banana bread just to mention a couple, are from Mom’s repertoire.

The hot commodities for sandwiches sees a tie between the Braised Chicken which includes Applewood Smoked Bacon, double creamed brie, crispy onions and house made jalapeno jelly and herbed aioli and the Stuffed Meatball. A

According to a recent Vancity Buzz article Chef Luc’s meatballs are some of the best in the city… they are stuffed with cheese and littered with herbs and parmesan. In sandwich form they are covered in marinara and topped with basil and parmesan and served on a ricotta coated filone. You can also sample these meatballs a la brunch with the Meatball Hash or on Wednesday’s on pizza.

Another fun one is the Quinoa Shaker salad – served in a mason jar so you can shake and eat and even return for a 10% discount. Part of the reason for the jar is their push for sustainability – all of their take away packaging is bio-degradable, with the exception of the mason jar, and the coffee lids which are recyclable!

Their ‘Uncommon’ décor is welcoming, eclectic and comfortable – “we want it to feel like a home away from home, at least for your lunch hour”- and with sustainability in mind many items were bought second hand. People are often found post meal hanging in our lounge chairs, listening to the vintage record player or flipping through the various reads around the cafe. Plus, from the wall-to-wall window seats, the view of Oppenheimer Park can’t be beat for people watching.

Don’t forget that the Uncommon is also a commissary, up and running a number of companies already doing their thing in the shared kitchen but with room for newcomers in this growing community establishment. They work hard to support the small manufacturers by selling their goods in their café too. For their retail offerings, the current wares come from Dickie’s Ginger, Le Meadow’s Pantry, Los Tacos Hot Sauce, Whipped Baked Goods, We “Heart” Van, Trudy-Ann’s Chai, Standard Kombucha, Jung Walkers hot sauce and, in the summer, Nice Pops. Soon to join the list are MGM Foods Granola and Mixers & Elixirs shrubs. Kevin Hannay from Windsor Meats Hastings can often be seen dropping off his delectable sausages for special events and A Bread Affair is always stopping by with their organic local buns and loafs for their tasty sandwiches.

The space is also available for events and pop-ups – Tartine & Maple continuously holds Cooking Classes, the most famous are her Choux & Champagne. Again reaching out to their local network, they’ve even started teaming up with other local chef’s to bring the city The Uncommon Dinner Series (#uds). The café has already had a DIY pizza night and a French culinary experience evening with Tartine & Maple. Next up is on Jan. 15th- UDS3: Nacho Night – a DIY nacho evening filled with beer, tequila and laughs. Followed by Feb. 21st- UDS4: Real Deal Sunday Dinner – Sunday Dinner Catering will be preparing a family style service, including antipasto, pasta, Nonna’s meatballs & of course something sweet…a presto!

REVIEWS & ACCOLADES

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Customer…. “that it was really one of the best group restaurant experiences I’ve had. It was such a lovely ambience in the restaurant – like we were in someone’s home. “

Customer… “Tried their meatball sub today; Amazing!”

Food blogger… “A cozy corner cafe found in between Chinatown and Railtown with very reasonable prices for great homemade-tasting food.”

Vancouver Foodster… “It is a community oriented café that strives to be that neighbourhood spot where people can enjoy a cup of coffee, strike up a conversation, and perhaps learn something that may better them, that is where these classes come in, keep an eye out for the next classes as they often fill up fast.”

There is 1 comment

  1. All their food is spectacular! Ask for the chef’s choice of the day and you won’t be dissapointed.