A new entry to the Yaletown dining scene, Homer Street Cafe & Bar is located on the edge of the neighbourhood at Smithe St & Homer. The deceptively large eatery has an old world charm courtesy of the recently restored Homer Building, former home of the 1950’s Smithe Coffee Bar and later original Homer Cafe. The adjoining Beasley Building doubles the restaurant space within the newly built tower’s ground floor. Being divided into differing areas allows the space to be large but not vast, walking into the Cafe the fire red rotisserie is hard at work roasting all types of meats but the feature is chicken, served whole, in half or quarters. Sit at the chef’s bar to watch the rotisserie masters hard at work or step up to the Beasley entrance and sit around the cocktail bar or patio. For more intimate surroundings the semi private “Cockpit” room, lined with rooster paintings and reclaimed factory windows, gives the feel of an old world pub.
The team behind the Loden Hotel’s Tableau Bar Bistro has created a simple but elegant menu from both the kitchen and bar. Start off with some snacks like roasted almonds or chickpea spread with crostini while sipping on one of the custom house or elegant classic cocktails. Move on to starters or a local cheese and charcuterie plate. Short rib & mushroom pie, Pork steak, pasta & lobster and trout are some of the Mains on offer. But as noted, chicken is the featured presentation and accented by some savoury side dishes that makes it feel like a home cooked meal; peas & carrots, peewee potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms and even crispy roasted chicken skin.
Everything our group of 5 tried, from drinks to dinner, was excellent and the service was great. Even though it was a busy evening, knowing we were on our way to a Whitecaps match at nearby BC Place the cocktails and meal all came quite quickly. Definitely looking forward to a return visit to try more of the menu, Homer Street Cafe & Bar is a great location for a quiet intimate meal or evening cocktails and casual bites before or after a game or theatre.
Homer Street Cafe & Bar is located at 898 Homer Street (at Smithe)
For reservations, call 604 428 4299 or book on-line at OpenTable.
Twitter @HomerStCafeBar, Facebook.com/homerstcafebar, Instagram @HomerStCafeBar