Gram is the famous Japanese pancake brand known for their jiggly and fluffy pancakes made to order. They have a few location in the Lower Mainland now, and the newest is in the heart of Kerrisdale.
Although under the same name and banner, each location is different based on their owner’s discretion. They will always offer their trademark pancakes in all its popular toppings and variations, but are able to round out the menu with items that make their location unique onto itself.
Case in point, the Kerrisdale location has a fulsome savoury dish program that includes the unexpected butter chicken, kimchi and avocado bowl, wagyu beef and egg, and Japanese tonkatsu and curry. As I would not go to Gram for any of these dishes specifically, I did not order any of them today. Although they did have me second guessing my “safe”choice.
As we were visiting during brunch on a sunny day, we decided to keep it within that wheelhouse with a focus on their pancakes, become “when in Rome..”!
But for those visiting for the first time and unfamiliar with Gram, there is a fulsome brunch offering with familiar classics like smoke salmon and cream cheese over toast, various eggs Benny, and a truffle scramble. And looking around the area, this is a nice and needed addition for those who want more than coffee and a baked good for their first meal of the day.
We would start with one of their hazelnut lattes over ice and consider their healthy smoothies. But eventually was drawn in by the colourful poster advertising their seasonal cherry blossom soda.
Delicate and pretty with dried flowers, a layer of pink and one of purple; brought all together with a salty and sweet heavy cream that would wade to the bottom. You stir everything up for a creamy and effervescent sweet soda. As fun to drink as it is to look at.
They have a healthy selection of savoury and sweet pancakes in both Japanese fluffy variety and the regular flat flap-jack. We opted for savoury given our drinks were on the sweeter side.
Off the Savoury pancakes menu we had the Chilli bean for a heartier start. Chilli, maple breakfast sausage, potatoes, salad, and cheddar cheese. All served on the side of fluffy pancakes. This didn’t feel like a set, but rather an accompaniment. A salty and sweet combo with plenty of butter and syrup for self pouring. The greens were a thoughtful idea, but I did not feel that it was a cohesive way to add freshness to a plate that was already divided. And as expected the fluffy pancakes were divine. Airy and light they melt in your mouth.
Originally this was a Fried chicken Eggs Benny, but I asked them to exchange the English muffin for a fluffy pancake instead, because you are at Gram, and if possible, should have their trademark pancakes. As for the way it tasted, I liked the batter on the chicken, this was not your ordinary fried chicken breading. But a coating that reminded us of a cross between fish and chips batter and herbed fried chicken batter. The chicken was simply well prepared and juicy, especially for breast meat. It gave me confidence over the rest of their seemingly out of place savoury offerings above. And I appreciated the extra dressing for the salad, that did go well with the savoury chicken here. As for the Benny portion, the Hollandaise was thick and creamy, coating everything below it, but the eggs could have been more soft poached for a runnier centre.
Overall, a simple and solid, tasty option for brunch in Kerrisdale. Can recommend.
Gram Cafe & Pancakes
2145 W 41st ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1Z6
604-263-0351
gramcanada.com
