by Andrew Morrison | One of my favourite new restaurants, Annalena, is getting primed for its first ever brunch service. The new eatery at 1809 West 1st Avenue in Kitsilano has been killing it at dinner, and I know from co-owner/chef Mike Robbins’ lengthy tenure at The Oakwood that he kicks ass at brunch. Here’s the official skinny:
Brunch has quickly become the weekend morning norm for Vancouverites and AnnaLena plans to do things a little different. With a plan to showcase the best spot for eggs benny in the city, Kitsilano’s AnnaLena will begin brunch service starting this Saturday morning at 10am to 1:45 sharp. With items such as beef brisket and grainy Dijon hollandaise to trout belly benedict with dill hollandaise brunch will be a welcomed addition to the small 60 seat eatery that has seen great success to date.
With the addition of a single breakfast sandwich there will also be gluten free options available. Brunch at AnnaLena will operate on a first come first serve walk in basis so be sure to get there soon before the word is out and the line ups begin!
Brunch will also feature a playful, creative breakfast cocktail program led by bar manager Kevin Brownlee. With items like “Wake up Whiskey” (house whiskey cream, coffee, whipped amaretto), The Hermosa (reposado tequila, cocchi americano rose, fresh grapefruit, bubbles), and the Spruce Wayne (gin, fresh mint, spruce tip syrup, coconut water, fresh lemon cucumber) you might be leaving a little more elated than when you arrived.
Located just blocks from Kits Beach (on 1st & Cypress), AnnaLena will be a great start to the day on the way to the beach for some well earned sun!
The hours for “Benedictator” brunch are Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 1:45pm. To give you an idea as to what to expect, here are some shots from our first dinner visit back in April…
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AnnaLena -
Absolutely Darling - Absolut, Lillet, cardamom, fresh lemon and ginger -
Kusshi oyster with compressed apple and jalapeno mignonette under finely shaved foie gras -
Clockwork Blood Orange cocktail with Aperol, bubbles, Broker's gin, blood orange tea, and fresh lemon
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Beautifully arranged plate of seared trout, roasted carrot, pickled cabbage puree, and charred onion cups containing a chive butter sauce
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Spinach ravioli stuffed with spinach and asiago sauced with a sweet tomato compote and saddled with pangratatto and baby arugula -
The same, minus the foie gras. -
Outstanding tahini-ginger dressde kale salad with fried cauliflower, sea asparagus, and sunchoke chips -
Mussels and braised garlic in a white wine fennel broth with thyme oil and fried bread
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Side view of the same kale salad - so good! -
Buttermilk fried chicken with salt and vinegar-flavoured chicken skins on a horseradish maple aioli -
Warm rhubarb compote and mixed nut crumble topped with black pepper thyme ice cream -
Chocolate creme brulee, honeycomb, salted caramel ice cream, lemon and bitter chocolate dust
Annalena | 778-379-4052 | 1809 West 1st Ave. | Kitsilano | www.annalena.ca
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