Apr 2015

Continuing my search for the best brunch spots in Vancouver, a few Sundays ago Nick and I headed over to Jules Casual French Bistro, located in the city’s historic neighbourhood of Gastown, for a deliciously authentic and lingering French-inspired late morning breakfast.

Tucked in between a row of bars on Abbott Street and sporting a rather modest facade, Jules Bistro is fairly easy to pass without a second glance. Yet, while the restaurant’s exterior may not necessarily stand out, the interior most certainly does. Through jet-black painted double doors an enchanting, warmly lit space awaits. A space, I might add, with a distinctly vintage French look and feel.

Indeed, the entire restaurant oozes with French elegance and old world charm, think exposed brick walls, black and white tiled flooring, weathered wooden furniture, a striking hanging crystal chandelier, gold framed mirrors, a piano, and an array of signage hand written in French.

With such a wonderful and well-crafted display of French style and taste, it’s easy to forget that Jules Bistro is situated in downtown Vancouver and not on some cobbled stoned side street in Paris.

Although the restaurant’s beautiful décor and delightful ambience are reasons alone to visit, it is the traditional French cooking and delicious food offerings that draws patrons back time and time again.

Naturally, Jules Bistro’s brunch menu follows the restaurant’s French theme, blending traditional French dishes with West Coast flavours and features a range of tantalising plates, which include: two eggs sunny side up with potato rosti and dill marinated salmon carpaccio; country style scrambled eggs with bacon wrapped asparagus, sautéed fingerling potatoes and tomato provencal; a basket of fresh baked mini croissants and breads with butter and preserves, and a breakfast cassoulet made up of coco beans, bacon, chorizo, duck confit, and a perfectly runny poached egg.

The breakfast cassoulet, which is hearty yet surprisingly light, comes highly recommended (by me). The combination of flavours achieved are truly outstanding, so much so this dish will have you savouring each and every spoonful.

Aside from egg dishes and pastries, Jules Bistro’s mid-morning menu also incorporates a variety of lunch time offerings, offerings which include a quiche of the day, salade nicoise, French onion soup, moules frites steamed in white wine, garlic and parsley, and a ribeye steak served with salad or fries and a herb butter sauce.

While the main dishes at Jules Bistro are enough to leave you feeling full and satisfied, room MUST be left for dessert, which is comprised of an impressive list of sweet treats, all of which are priced at $8.50. The crème caramel, vanilla crème brûleé and oranges with orange blossom sorbet and mint caramel are recommended.

With superb French cuisine, friendly service and a warm and inviting atmosphere Jules Bistro is a positively lovely spot to enjoy a relaxed brunch where a quintessential French dining experience is most certainly guaranteed.

Bon appetite!

Posted by Jess Fleming

Apr 2015

As a lot of you know, over the past few months I have had the pleasure of writing a weekly brunch series for Vancity Buzz, here in Vancouver. Such an undertaking has allowed me to not only enjoy and indulge in copious amounts of delicious food (all in the name of research) but also discover fabulous must-visit eateries, as well as new and exciting parts of the city. Having now eaten my fair share of weekend brunches, I thought I would spill the beans and share with you what I deem to be the highlights of Vancouver’s brunch scene, so that if one day you find yourself in town, hungry for excellent brunch fare, you’ll know exactly where to find it.

Posted by Jess Fleming

Mar 2015

Despite the fact that downtown Vancouver is plagued with an absurd amount of coffee shop chains, there are a number of quality independently owned and run coffee houses too. Coffee houses that not only care about how they source their coffee beans but also how they brew it, making sure each pour of espresso is consistently smooth and delicious in taste.

A daily dose of caffeine is just as essential to many local Vancouverites as it is to those who visit the city from afar. Indeed, one of the first questions visiting friends ask is “where can I find good coffee.” As such I thought I would go ahead and compile a handy list of Vancouver’s top coffee houses.

Posted by Jess Fleming

Feb 2015

Like with any move to a new city, one is forced (in the best possible way) to connect quite swiftly with their new surroundings. Connections that usually involve making friends, establishing ties, becoming familiar with the area, and (my favourite thing) discovering new and exciting local hangouts.

Once all the big ticket items like an apartment, a job etc … which are crucial in setting up home, have been secured I am always incredibly keen to formulate a list of things to do, see and eat, and begin scouting neighbourhood hotspots for must try restaurants and bars, as well as areas in general to check out.

No matter how long or short a time Nick and I have lived in a city for I am constantly adding to my to do (and try) list. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that things are no different here in Vancouver and as such, I thought it time that I share my list, so family and friends back home can have a better idea of what we’ve been getting up to, and those who are planning a trip to Vancouver have a bunch of recommendations to refer to.

Posted by Jess Fleming

Dec 2014

Posted by Jess Fleming