by Andrew Morrison | At first glance, Table #2 – the little deuce in the window – at the Acme Cafe would seem the best seat in the house. It’s isolated away from the rest of the restaurant in the front-right corner and no one can really see what you’re doing there on account of a structural pillar largely shielding it from view. What’s more, it looks out on to the last busy block of West Hastings before it gives way to East Hastings, which is to say there’s always much to see from its especially unique vantage.
But give the rest of the room a second glance and you’ll discover the low, horseshoe-shaped lunch counter with its 9 stools and direct kitchen sight lines. As I’ve noted before, these things are very rare, and should be appreciated accordingly. The section is dubbed “C” to note its “counter” position, and the seats are numbered 1 through 10, right to left. The best of them is #10, where counter’s semi-circle begins. It affords the broadest view of the restaurant, including its booths, not to mention an immediate window into the kitchen. Alas, it’s an open, stool-less spot reserved for wheelchairs, so I’m partial to #9 next door. Try it this week with coffee and a nice slice of pie.
Acme Cafe | 51 West Hastings | 604-569-1022 | www.acmecafe.ca