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Rhizome Café
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Vegetarian Coffee & Tea, Vegetarian [Edit]
317 Broadway EVancouver, BC V5T 1W5
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
(604) 872-3166
- Hours:
Tue 4 pm - 10 pm
Wed-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri 11 am - 12 am
Sat 10 am - 12 am
Sun 10 am - 3 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
46 reviews for Rhizome Café
Review Highlights
"...on a home-made biscuit topped with our special squash sauce."
(in 5 reviews)
"...monthly board game night (called, "Board Games Are So Gay."
(in 3 reviews)
"Events are held here which can be viewed on their calendar."
(in 15 reviews)
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46 reviews in English
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Review from Rosemary R.
Vancouver, BC
2/7/2012
My wife and I had brunch here for the first time on Saturday and really enjoyed it. Very comfortable spot, friendly service and lovely atmosphere. I got the smoked salmon omelette and my wife got the veggie - both omelettes were a titch dry, but the salad and potatoes were fantastic and the London Fog I had was the BEST. EVER. My wife didn't care for the coffee but her soy latte got rave reviews.
Looking forward to our next brunch there - and maybe a gay boardgame night or too! -
Review from Purdy J.
2/5/2012
Beautiful space that is warm and welcoming. Love the plants and sunshine shining through the windows. Service was okay. Our server seemed liked she had more important things to do and didn't give off a friendly vibe.
Food: I love that there were vegetarian and vegan options on the menu but sadly, I was disappointed with my tofu scramble. The tofu scramble was watery, not to flavourful and a little hard to eat as the scramble bits were small. The potatoes and salad that came with were delicious. The egg breakfast with added sausage was ordinary tasting, but the buttermilk pancake was delicious. The bits of apple in the pancake was stellar!
Overall, the atmosphere and community oriented focus of the cafe is wonderful. The menu options are great but the food was just okay. I'll give it another chance and try some of their other items! -
Review from Louise G.
11/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
How can you not absolutely love this place? How could I have not yet Yelped about it?
A supremely lovely space. Has a great energy about it. Part of it is the decor and the colours and the art. Part of it is the way Rhizome fosters a true community spirit within its doors. Part of it is the staff, service and food. Vegetarian and vegan options.
Many organisations use this space for their events, or shows.
(Rhizome Events: http://www.rhizomecafe... )
One recent show, I'm glad to say, was made into a scent-free zone. I wish more places were like this.
( http://www.yelp.ca/eve... )
The city needs more spaces like this. Rhizome, Bravo! -
Review from Trudi C.
I had some time on a Friday afternoon to try here, looked calm and welcoming inside on a grey day, why not :)
Bearing in mind this review is for a latte (I really want to try the food at some point!), it was pretty average. Nice big clear mug to look at it though (I have a fascination with clear mugs), so I liked that. But I really did have to put a lot of sugar in it, was pretty bitter. A nice relaxed atmosphere in there to sit and chat, work or read, an ideal coffee shop.
All in all, I think I just ordered the wrong thing, and it probably deserves another star. -
Review from Jarrod L.
6/15/2011
The service was pretty slow and the food was just ok at high prices. I had their variant on eggs benedict and they were ok, but pretty bland; there could have been much more flavor in the squash sauce. The others I was with thought their food was fine but not anything special; one friend said their espresso was bad but I didn't try it myself.
The server refused to give me the WEP key for their free wifi, which somewhat soured the whole experience (I'd planned to do some research for our day trip while eating/waiting for food). -
Review from Kathleen L.
Vancouver, BC
11/9/2011
I adore Rhizome for everything they are and everything they have. This place has something that everyone should stride for, heart. Rhizome is community minded first and foremost. The owners created a space for people of all kinds to gather and come together for food and so much more.
For me, I tend to come Rhizome for both events and for dinner with friends or myself. I can sit comfortably at the counter with a Georgia Straight, some lentil soup and be as happy as a clam.
Food I love at Rhizome: the macaroni and cheese with caramelized onions on top, the special salad made to my liking(roasted seeds for the win!), the spicy thai curry, the grilled apple sandwich (pears would be so good as well). I could actually go on for a while.
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. This is a great afternoon spot to do some homework. I can often be caught on the couch reading or procrastinating from doing work.
Overall, I highly recommend checking the place out and seeing what they are all about. -
Review from Aimée S.
Vancouver, BC
5/18/2011
You know that cousin you have who is warm and kind and a great cook and a bit of a politico and who always has friends of all stripes in their home as well as something delicious on the stove?
No?
Well then you'd better hustle your butt over to rhizome at the first available opportunity.
I am currently enjoying the regular breakfast burrito (cheesy and packed with veggies, vegan option avail) with a side of some of the best potato leek soup I've ever had.
The grassroots community vibe in the place is palpable; if you want to know what's happening in town, politically or artistically, this is the place to come. They also strive to create community with events like their monthly board game night (called, "Board Games Are So Gay!").
Come here to enjoy some great food, a warm and welcoming atmosphere and a chance to connect with your community. -
Review from Fonny C.
Vancouver, BC
4/16/2011
I was super excited when my friend and I decided to go for dinner at Rhizome yesterday. All day I would scan through their menu online and drool in front of my monitor. Just when I thought I've figured out what I'm going to have, I find myself once again going through the menu. As a vegetarian, very seldom I get to have so many choices!!!
Once there, I decided on the squash and tofu thai curry. The flavours were delightful, had just the right kick and the squash was beautifully done. The tofu was ok, not quite keen on it. They used firm tofu cut into 1 inch cubes, I think medium firm might have worked better. The braised green beans and brown rice were a great companion to the dish.
I love the space and ambiance. Although situated at one of the busiest corners, once inside I can feel the warmth and coziness of Rhizome. Everyone is super nice and friendly, and service was great.
Rhizome, you're awesome and you'll be seeing a lot of me!!! -
Review from Alex G.
Vancouver, BC
6/23/2011
They serve fairer-than-fair trade coffee that also happens to be some of the best I've ever had. I order the only non-vegetarian item on the menu -- salmon & eggs -- every time I come here.
Extrapolate accordingly. -
Review from Peter H.
Vancouver, BC
1/14/2011
I like this place. The environment is eclectic, feels honest and has a soul. The output an assortment of foods, and do a great job. I can not speak for the coffee (I'm proud that I can even spell coffee), but I can speak for some tasty dishes that will take you through brunch, lunch and dinner.
Their "Eggs Rhizomedict" are a spin on your typical Benny and should not be slept on. Squash sauce instead of hollandaise? Madness! Tasty, tasty madness!
The "Grilled Basil Turkey" reminds you that yes, sandwhiches can in fact be delicious and not just something you grab when you're in a hurry.
"Spicy Thai Curry" had me at the words "butternut squash" and I am now yours forever.
Their food is well made, and sometimes it takes a bit of time to come out of the kitchen, so be mindful if in a rush. However I love food and I'm all for good food done properly, and so are they. -
Review from Luisa D.
4/7/2011
I went here for the first time last Sunday. I've since been asked if the service was good and I can definitely say that it was. Our server was friendly and took good care of us.
We were four and everyone was 'Mmmmmmming' over their food. I chose two soft-poached eggs (perfectly cooked) with 1/2 salad, 1/2 potatoes and the cutest little corn muffins ever. I was going to have a side of chicken sausage but after the server told my friends that the bacon was really good I switched. BACON!!!! They don't have HP Sauce, weird but oh well. I believe that anywhere serving breakfast should have HP Sauce - mandatory.
I liked reading about a rhizome being a horizontal root system that spreads itself out creating what look like separate plants but they're all connected. The space has a fun, homey feel to it that's colourful and comfortable. I'll be back. -
Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
12/26/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Ah, Rhizome. There is so much to say.
Of course the food's good. The food is delicious, actually, and while the portions aren't immense - do we really NEED immense portions, anyway? No - the food quality is always fantastic. I've tried two of the vegan breakfast options, a veg sandwich, and the curry, all of which have been totally satisfactory and beautifully prepared and presented. The lentils are everything pay-as-you-can soup is a great feature that I have taken advantage of once, and the soups are always vegan and wholesome and delicious. I also recommend the hot apple cider - perfectly sweet without being too syrupy.
The atmosphere in this place! This is such an incredible space and I envy Rhizome for having landed it a few years ago. On sunny days it's filled with light, all the way up to the embossed ceiling with its wooden leaf fans. Every time I visit Rhizome I wish I lived there.
This place is not just a restaurant; it's a community space that hosts conscious, activist-oriented events centering around the immigrant and queer communities. The bathrooms aren't gendered. The art on the walls is never "high art" but usually showcases some series of social movements.
Complaints: food takes bloody forever to come out. I can't imagine that they have less power in that kitchen than some of the other tiny restaurants around, but I suppose they've avoided streamlining their cooking operation in favour of keeping food quality high. I appreciate that they haven't compromised that, but it does mean that when I'm really hungry, I choose not to go to Rhizome.
The tofu scrambles are... well. They're made by someone who isn't vegan, which is obvious; I don't think there are many places you can go in this city to eat a tofu scramble that's actually prepared by someone who eats tofu scrambles. Still, they're better vegan breakfast options than most places offer, and I do love that I have a choice of options at breakfast. How novel!Listed in: Vegan Vancouver
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Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
4/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
There are things in this city that I associate with rainy days... Naam, the Art Gallery, Pacific Sprit Park, and Rhizome.
Rhizome Café is both a fabulous restaurant but it is also an incredible community space. Focused on the importance of social justice, they have a fantastic model for community engagement offering their space in collaboration with community groups that are working towards social justice. They base their engagement model off of the idea of the rhizome, a horizontal roots system that spreads out rather than down.
I adore the food at Rhizome, and this past Sunday it was a brunch day. I had the Kamut - Banana pancakes which were absolutely fabulous. They had a really lovely consistency and a great banana flavor. There was grated lemon zest on top which was a really great and added a nice contrast to the kamut flavor.
It wasn't raining when I was there, but even just being in there and dreaming of the lentil soup was enough to make me feel all warm and cozy. -
Review from Kat S.
10/14/2010
I've only been here once, but I was really impressed. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service very pleasant and friendly, and the food plentiful and good. They were out of chai, but I really want to try their homemade blend. Sounds delicious.
It's a cool space to work on projects, read a book, meet with friends or play board games. Or have a nap, like the gentleman on the sofa. He may or may not have been homeless, but he seemed to be having a good snooze.
I was planning on hanging out for a few hours so I had the curry with tofu. It was huge and amazing and came with green beans delightfully sautéed on the side. The rice was brown, and made me realize I actually do like brown rice. And now I must buy some. And cook it properly like Rhizome did. I can normally eat a ton of food, but even I couldn't finish this heaping plate of awesomeness. I really did try, though. The tofu was nicely browned on the edges, too, just how I like.
I will for sure have more meetups here. It's a great place.Listed in: Vegetarian Friendly Options
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Review from Sara M.
2/2/2011 1 photo
Huge fan!
This place has a wonderful welcoming vibe. Pull up one of the dope retro chairs and stay forever if you fancy. And the pay-as-you-can lentil soup deal is amazing to me. This is a place filled with love.
I was STARVING upon entering so I wanted to order ALL THE THINGS off the menu. My dining partner and I both wanted the Thai Curry, but I also wanted something to jam in my mouth NOW so I tried to order the hummus plate for us to share. Thankfully, our lovely server advised against it! She said it would end up being waaaaay too much food and we must have enough room to really enjoy our curries. When is the last time you were down sold based on logic and sincerity?! SWOON.
So I waited patiently for my Thai Tofu Squash Curry extravaganza. And damn it was totally worth it! To start, it was beautiful - see the photos! I found the tofu to be cooked perfectly, and the squash was so happy in the deliciously spicy curry. YUM. Oh, and our gal was right - it would have been an obscene amount of food! I was stuffed and had enough leftover to take home for lunch.
I am pumped to come back all the other vegan options!
**For those with little people in their lives, they have an adorable kids menu and it seems it would be a kid-friendly place to have brunch. For those without little people in their lives, you might want to note that too :) ** -
Review from Melissa W.
Vancouver, BC
9/25/2011
I've lived in the neighbourhood for close to a decade, but have somehow never dined here. Today was my first, and likely my last, visit.
My partner and I were seated quickly. It was busy, but not packed. Our drinks arrived quickly and our order was taken shortly after that. We were hungry and tired, looking forwards to our meal. We waited an incredibly long time for our food (+/- 45 minutes). During that time our server did not come by once to offer a coffee refill (I got up poured my own at the bar). There was no reason given for the long wait; a few people left the restaurant before their food arrived; we were tempted to do the same.
My partner's plate was cleared from the table while his mouth was still full of food. No mention of the fact that we had to queue at the coffee bar to pay our bill (which was not brought to the table).
The food was good, but not worth the wait in my opinion. I've rarely not left a tip, but this was one occasion when I chose not to. -
Review from Trude H.
Vancouver, BC
3/1/2011
I took a while to warm up to Rhizome Cafe - more timing than anything else.
Early afternoon tea is lovely here. Nice loose tea - robust English Breakfast in that cool bag suspended on a stick, resting on the rim of the mug.
Place your order at the counter in the back, pay up, and seat yourself. Your food will be brought to your table.
The vegan orange cake on offer today was delish - light with a wisp of icing.
I can't speak to the main dishes - but this is a great place to have a meeting and a tea. The tables are large, the lighting is good, and the tin embossed ceiling is inspirational.
Note: new parking regulations along Broadway and side streets, one hour, with intense enforcement. The corner of Broadway and Kingsway is very busy these days! -
Review from Dana B.
Vancouver, BC
4/3/2011
Love Rhizome. I'll admit I've only ever had brunch here, and that's what I keep going back for.
I usually go for bacon and eggs, and the eggs are poached perfectly and the bacon exactly how I like it. Eggs dishes have an option to come with "roasted roots" (like homefries but made with root vegetables like yams), salad or some of both. Both are good, and the salad is tossed in a nice, light dressing. Many of the breakfasts come with little corn muffins, but I haven't tried them as I prefer to have toast wth my eggs, and substituting is not a problem. The buttermilk pancakes are also really, really good! I haven't tried the bennys.
I like the atmosphere which kind of reminds me of a place you'd find off the Drive. They're easygoing and have no problem with you lingering after your meal. I wouldn't come here if you're in a rush, as I find the service, though never bad, is a little intermittent sometimes, due to only one waitress working the whole place for the most part. Sometimes I'll have to flag her down to get my coffee refilled (coffee's good here, too, BTW), little things like that. I don't really mind though, as the food is great and I'm a pretty easygoing person.
Also, I like that although I'm a meat-eater, they also have options for vegetarians and vegans, since I have a few friends that are so we can all find something we like here. -
Review from Cyndi H.
Vancouver, BC
11/12/2009 ROTD 6/17/2010
I am loving it here in Rhizome... 2 of my friends and I are working on work/school projects and we were just commenting about how this is the best coffee shop that we have worked in so far. We're on a wifi hop to find the best coffee/work space! I/we totally recommend it... warm, inviting atmosphere, great community feel (there have been a few groups meet here so far), GREAT food, coffee... music... We'll be back...
**For private events, there's a room that you can close off from the rest of the cafe-- super open and cool!
** There are BOARDGAMES!! I *Love* boardgames. Yes, I'm the biggest nerd in Vancouver. My mom still loves me... mom? -
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
8/27/2008
Rhizome serves healthy, fresh food like soups, sandwiches, perogies, curry, quesadillas, and polenta. Their "Lentils are Everything" stew is "pay as you feel." On the weekend they have a full brunch menu. There are lots of veggie friendly options, plus meat for you hardcore carnivores. Rhizome also sells organic, fair trade coffee and has a full bar.
But what really sets Rhizome apart as a neighbourhood superstar is that they are truly a community gathering place and a business that really gives back and cares about making the world a better place by being socially responsible. They describe themselves as "a neighbourhood café that promotes the work of local artists, provides people with a space to socialize and connect with each other, and supports progressive social justice work." What's not to love about that?
Check out their events page on their website for live music, slam poetry, photo exhibits and stuff like "Board Games are So Gay." -
Review from jess t.
2/17/2009 1 photo
In search of a vegetarian-friendly Sunday brunch in Vancouver, my wife and I decided to try the Rhizome Cafe. We were seated immediately, but we must have arrived just in time because all the tables filled, and a line formed out the door before we finished our meal.
Our server was prompt and nice. The room was bright with natural light and warm hardwood floors. The old bar across the back is gorgeous and really completes the room. The art was social justice-centric, protesting the 2010 Olympics on stolen Native land and a history of police repression and economic injustice. There are tables with chairs and booths, but you can also get table service seated on the couches and armchairs. There were plenty of families with children, but an equal number of adult-only parties debating the relative merits of cooperative systems, literature, social justice and responsibility.
My brunch plate was stacked with delicately sliced fresh fruit, real maple syrup, and the best French Toast I've ever eaten (don't tell my mom I said that). My darling wife had a plate of Chilaquiles, which she enjoyed as well.
Although I was only passing through Vancouver, I got the impression that the Rhizome Cafe is really dedicated to their community. There were several flyers of the many, many events they host, including "Disco, Baby" (disco dancing with your kids), Queer Salsa night, and "Board Games are So Gay" (queer board games night!). One of their DJ's is DJ Ruggedly Handsome! Finally, a DJ with a decent stage name! -
Review from Alex B.
East York, ON
9/25/2010
The Rhizome bills itself as something more than just a breakfast place, that must be why their food is rarely great. On my last visit I waited forever, the coffee tasted TERRIBLE and for the price I wasent impressed by the portion.
That said, this place is all about going with a few friends, soaking in the oh-so-cool ambiance and attending the different events they regularly have going on, whether its a fundraiser for minority rights or a film dealing with Canadian involvement in the middle east.
I have to admire their blend of capitalism and social values but their food, the main reason I would go to Rhizome, is not anything special. -
Review from Ramon V.
Rhizome Cafe took me by surprise. We were on our way to a concert at the Biltmore and this place was suggested. In the back of my mind I was skeptical. Community space, vegetarian, Kingsgate Mall area...
It's a large space with an open-plan glassed-in meeting room at the front, seemingly separating diners from schemers. An active discussion was in full session as I entered. The large table littered with papers, sketches, and a computer capturing all tasks. I made a mental note to watch the local news over the next couple of days. :-)
The menu is a large board behind the counter and offered a variety of options. Not too many and not too few. It offered salads, soups, chili, various miso, tofu and curry combinations, a few all-day breakfast items, a "pay as you can" lentil soup, and desserts proudly displayed. All this and espresso (fair trade organic) and a full bar!
They also have board games and host event nights.
The four cheese mac and cheese (8.95) was large, cheesy and delicious. Perfectly baked. It came with a healthy salad portion. The tofu and squash curry is home made, and wonderfully presented with a separate plate of rice and green beans.
A lava cake for dessert (2.50), and it was served warm and promptly. Comfort food with all the comfort.
I'd love to come back and try the weekend brunch menu.Listed in: Vancouver Americanos
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Review from Tinella T.
Vancouver, BC
6/16/2009
I love Rhizome cafe for many reasons... Friendly staff, many events for public, nice decorations inside, yummy food :)
I was there several times, and I was always very pleased with the service, food..I was so surprised when during one concert there were cakes for free for everybody!!! That was something special!!!
Try yummy lentil soup and organic fair trade coffee.
I really appreciate what owners and staff of this small cafe do for public. There is a small room for groups who want to meet there. -
Review from Roanna Z.
4/16/2009 1 photo
The first time wandered into Rhizome we were like a couple of lost dogs. We had just moved up from S.F. We had no friends, no apt and no clue.
Lisa and Vanetta were open and the conversation was like a warm blanket to our shaken spirits.
We learned that the Rhizome cafe is a community friendly place. Events are held here which can be viewed on their calendar.
http://rhizomecafe.ca/...
Activists gather in the front room which can be closed off for privacy, or opened up to the rest of the floor.
The layout is open concept with the brighter window seats near to the front and more romantic and comfy seating as you near to the counter which has the goodies and espresso machine.
The food is home made and organic. They even have a "pay as you can" Lentil soup which has been written about in various news articles because the concept is so unusual and wonderful. The girls that own the place developed this cafe to be an outstanding example of how a business can also be a community well, so to speak and thus far it is working.Listed in: Gluten Free/ Dairy free eats.
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Review from Vincci L.
5/4/2010 2 photos
Brunch time!
One of my favourite times of the weekend. This weekend, Rhizome Cafe was the choice.
We arrive at around 11am, and were seated right away. I like the decor here, lots of artwork, a bright room, and even a couch! A great relaxing atmosphere too.
Brunch is served here on weekends from 10am-3pm. I like their menu, lots of veggie choices, and other delicious unique dishes. Doesn't the Pumpkin-Seed Pesto Tofu Scramble sound good? After some hard decisions, I decided on the Salmon Eggs Rhizomedict-2 poached eggs, smoked wild B.C. salmon and caramelized onions on a home-made biscuit topped with our special squash sauce. Their dishes also come with salad and roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes! (I love sweet potatoes!)
We both got teas-they have whole leaf teas. I got the ginger rooibos tea, and asked for honey and milk. The tea was delicious!! A hint of ginger, in the goodness of a roobios tea.
Our food took almost 40 minutes to come. It's a great thing that I was in good company so that time seemed to go by quickly, and we weren't too hungry.
The food finally arrived. My salmon rhizomedicts were great, eggs were done perfectly. The roasted potatoes and the one piece of sweet potato was also good. The mixed greens salad was fresh, and the light vinaigrette dressing went well with it.
Service was great and attentive. Free street parking all around. If only the food didn't take so long, but I'd definitely come back to try out their other delicious sounding menu items!Listed in: Brunching.
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Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
12/4/2008
We enjoyed a fresh, healthy brunch at the Rhizome Café on our last visit. The selection of grilled sandwiches is fantastic: from grilled apple cheddar, to salami and cheese. They do eggs Benedict a little differently with a squash sauce instead of hollandaise and the tofu scramble is perfect with corn muffins.
The service was great, friendly, and prompt. My only gripe was the room was a little chilly.
On the non-edible side of things, Rhizome is a prime meeting spot for community groups. Take advantage of a full roster of events like spelling bees, readings, craft fairs, and plays. -
Review from Reena M.
11/9/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Any place that does a "pay what you can" style dish is awesome by my books. Although, I didn't order their pay-what-you-can lentil soup, I was really impressed that they would do this. I ordered their soup of the moment which was a corn and lemongrass soup. It was pretty tasty. Their caramel latte was alright. It was also la Dia de los Muertos so they were having an offering/celebration. I was excited to get some Mexican hot chocolate! The lava cakes are good too.
Listed in: Yelpage, Places to Knit
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Review from Steph L.
7/18/2010 13 photos
My mom has a thing against vegetarianism. She has to have some protein, preferably meat, at every meal. (I do want to note that she's fine with people who are vegetarians; she would just never ever be one herself.) So when I took her here for brunch I was relieved to find that although the menu is vegetarian-friendly, they also serve smoked salmon, bacon, and chicken sausage.
I really liked the décor of this restaurant - charming and rustic (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...). The atmosphere is chill and the place just *feels* organic. We sat by a wall that had pictures of what sustainability to grade 7 students is (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...). The service was super friendly too.
Now, onto the most important part: the food! There were around 6 dishes that I wanted to try, and though I would've had a fun time trying to finish them all, I narrowed my choices down to a few while still getting a broad selection. We got:
- smoked salmon eggs rhizomedict with corn muffin, salad, and roasted roots (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...)
- pumpkin seed pesto tofu scramble with corn muffin, salad, and roasted roots (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...)
- 1 buttermilk pancake and 1 kamut-banana pancake (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...)
- French toast (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...)
- side of chicken sausage with miso gravy
I liked all but one of the dishes. My favourite, hands-down, was the SMOKED SALMON EGGS RHIZOMEDICT. I loved everything about it! The eggs were perfectly poached with a gorgeous golden yolk (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...) and the salmon was delicious and not too fatty. But the two things that really elevated this dish were the caramelized onions and the squash sauce. The onions were so sweet and flavourful; they offset the smokiness and saltiness of the salmon beautifully. And the squash sauce... omg, the squash sauce. Creamy, squash-y, but not too heavy/rich, it was the perfect alternative to hollandaise!
I also loved the plump and juicy CHICKEN SAUSAGES. They were seasoned well but were even better with the amazing MISO GRAVY. It reminded me of miso black cod (one of my fave Japanese dishes) minus the black cod. It was incredibly flavourful and had the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. The ginger in it also added a nice kick.
I wasn't a fan of the TOFU SCRAMBLE though. I didn't get any of pesto flavour at all but instead tasted curry. Oddly though, the dish was still bland. The salad was dressed with a nice balsamic vinaigrette and I liked the roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes.
As for the PANCAKES, both were pretty good though the kamut-banana one tasted "healther". They were moist but were on the dense side and not as light and fluffy as I would've liked (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...) - kinda as if they were undercooked. The FRENCH TOAST was better. Lighter than any French toast I've ever had in the past, they were barely coated and very crispy on the outside - not greasy at all. They lost their crispiness when they cooled though and weren't as good. -
Review from Adelina W.
Richmond, BC
7/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
Such a great little cafe. Came here for lunch and enjoyed a grilled sandwich. Loved the atmosphere. I was here mid afternoon so it wasn't too busy. There were many people set up with their laptops out.
The cafe is veggie and vegan friendly. Definitely will be back to try out their brunch and other lunch offerings. They also have evening events and let other local groups come in for their events. -
Review from Daniella F.
Vancouver, BC
11/14/2009 1 Check-in Here
Rhizome is good for so many reasons. On the surface, you get awesome and helpful staff as well as great, locally-sourced food and ethical coffee. Then when you get to know the place more, you'll find out that Rhizome supports and nurtures local organizations, hosting space for groups to meet and nights where people with similar interests can gather! There's a variety of seating - tables, sofas, and a "meeting room" or sorts. You can also get internet access.
Don't miss the bennys at brunch!!! -
Review from vanessa G.
Vancouver, BC
3/26/2010
I have been to this Cafe many times and have never been disappointed. Today i had the grilled apple sandwich which comes with spinach, caramelized onions, and melted cheese. It's the perfect sized. I grabbed a large oatmeal raisan cookie too and now i am stuffed.
I always like the art hanging on the wall and i love the events that they have every month even though i have not attended any of them. The owner and server is super friendly and honest especially on weekends when the kitchen is back up with brunch orders.
I love the pay what you can stew concept.. it just warms my heart. I haven't tried it but maybe next time? -
Review from derek s.
Vancouver, BC
4/6/2010
Pleasant place and tasty looking menu. The bagel with hummus I got was delicious, and just what I needed.
I was a little sad at the anti-wifi attitude. They kind of make a point to say you shouldn't go there to spend time working online; it's a community space. I get that, I really do, but I've seen that accomplished a lot of different ways and theirs came across as a bit passive aggressive. I work in shops like that every week, and I'm not keen on going back to theirs.
Bummer. -
Review from Lisa P.
11/12/2009
I met a friend here tonight for a coffee. It was the first time I've been to Rhizome. It's kinda a cool place with good vibes and a great menu. The staff was friendly although quite busy and only one person working out front. We had to wait for a table to open up. Seems to be a busy place.
This place has something for everyone: tea, coffee, sandwiches, salads, snacks, alcoholic beverages. It's also a good place for small groups to meet. There was a crafting group meeting there tonight.
Eclectic and unpretentious. -
Review from Barry M.
3/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Weekend brunch until 3PM, then kitchen closes.
Friendly environment, healthy food reasonably priced. I felt a little out of place, like I should be planning a protest or something instead of just stuffing my face. -
Review from Crystal G.
West Vancouver, BC
3/30/2011
Wonderful find!
We had been planning to go to a nearby place but, after seeing Rhizome reviewed on Yelp and checking the menu, we gave it a try. It was great! We were all impressed with the wide range of vegetarian and vegan options (marked on the menu as such) as well as the quality of the food.
The mushroom soup was wonderful as well as the Thai curry with pumpkin and tofu. I ordered the breakfast burrito (vegan version) and would have liked more black beans/tomato and less rice but that's ok, it wasn't expensive at all. We also tried the vegan orange cake (amazing) and the decaf americano with soy -- a lot of places make their decaf simply weak and insipid but this was full of flavour.
During the week you order at the counter but apparently there's wait service for weekend brunch. My order got a bit messed up and, before they could fix it, I took the opportunity to change my side dish from salad to soup -- no problem; changed without any fuss.
I like the atmosphere in the room, very comfortable. They have a kids' menu, and you can also order extra side dishes which is a nice option.
We'll definitely return to try more items. I'm personally looking forward to the lentil stew. I also like that they have a social conscience -- can read about it on the table or the take-out menu. -
Review from Rex T.
Vancouver, BC
4/2/2011
I quite enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was quite good. Comfort food with a twist! Their brunch menu is excellent.
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Review from Dani B.
4/7/2009
I love the decor in this place and they constantly have live events going on, so the place is constantly popping.
Pretty much everything on the menu is delicious and the lentil soup doesn't have a price, it's by donation only!
This spot gets filled quickly but the service is fast, friendly and to the point. -
Review from Lisa C.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 1/28/2011
Just went today, food & drink was yummy, as usual. I wanted to add this: Rhizome has installed a button to operate the door, making it just that much more accessible for wheelchairs & strollers.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/24/2011
I love Rhizome. Awesome sandwiches, delicious tea & they're licensed, selling a decent selection of… Read more »
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Review from Sarah O.
5/4/2010
This place is very likeable. Their menu is great, their drinks are delicious and the desserts looked tasty. Nice environment and the staff is friendly. The only downfall is that I was pretty surprised at how long the food took to come out.. nearly 40 minutes? For 2 dishes.. I can't think of any reason why this had to happen, especially because the restaurant wasn't busy at all. I'll have to keep in mind not to come here with a time restriction or a starving belly. I enjoyed everything else though, probably will be back to try other things on their yummy menu.
