Today we were enjoying this sunny weekend day in the West End, discovering one of its neighbourhood cafes. Not located on a main street, this is one of those places that you have to know, to know to go.
This is SUD café, the name means “south” in French. This speaks to its inspiration, being from southern France. Located in a West End neighbourhood, you don’t expect this walking up to it. Located in a clearing, surrounded by greenery with park benches and small tables. There is plenty of seating for those passing by to pause at. The cafe even hires musicians to play and perform, which only adds to the ambience. Today it was an accordion player, who was really tapping into the European Café vibes.
We came later for lunch and was still able to take advantage of their brunch menu, although all the outdoor tables, bathed in sun and shaded by trees were taken.
So we retreated into the coziness of their indoor dining area, with its yellow and green floral motif. Notable and not necessarily on theme where the artistically painted on insects that decorated the walls and came in a variety of sizes to add visual interest.
We took a couple of seats right underneath their SUD sign, where we waited for our hot beverages to be called for pick up at the pass and then for the Chef to hand-deliver our prepared hot meals.
I got tea and my guest ordered coffee. Both came in different mugs, that felt like pieces you would pull from anyone’s at home cabinet. Quaint, charming, peaceful.
She ordered the Ratatouille aux Oeufs which was slow-braised vegetables, basil, two sunny-side-up eggs, and sourdough bread. All prepared in, baked within, and served out of a skillet. There is normally feta cheese that gets sprinkled over top, however, she is dairy intolerant so skipped that step. This was more like a stew with the tomato, eggplant, and zucchini, diced up and mixed together. Whereas traditional ratatouille is served in slices that are carefully stacked for a very visual dish. There was a lot of food and after all the eggs and then one slice of toast was done she packed the rest to have at a later date.
I ordered the Breakfast Cassoulet because I too wanted to eat out of a cast iron skillet as this was a French restaurant, and the option isn’t readily available at most places, let alone café or brunch spot.
This was the heartiest thing on the menu With Toulouse sausage, lardons, pulled duck confit, white beans, and two sunny-side-up eggs. Although I was a little disappointed that one of my eggs had its yolk already cracked, as I enjoyed mixing in to create a more gummy texture. I also would’ve liked to have a bit of bread with this one to break things up. As is, I found it heavy and hard to finish in one sitting due to its one tonal taste. It needed more acid and some freshness like a torched tomato would have been nice..
Instead, I ordered their apple pastry as a sweet treat to end on, after I gave up and packed what I could not finish. This was a lovely sight, a pastry crust with slices of apple fanned out and covered in a cinnamon butter topping. It was the light fresh flavour I was looking for after having some of the beans above. I found this a great equalizer.
Is short this is a great spot for the neighbourhood and if it was closer to my mine, I’d probably visit it more. A wonderful setting to catch up with a friend at or to enjoy a slow Sunday within.
SUD café
1082 Cardero St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1S6
sudcafe.net
