Aphrodite’s Organic Café and Pie Shop first opened in 2003. The neighbourhood café was born out of a zeal for local organic produce, sustainability, and to create a market for local farms. So when beloved owner Allan Christian died suddenly in 2008, his daughter Peggy Vogler knew what she had to do. The restaurant had a loyal fan base and a staff who counted on it. “There were too many people attached: staff, customers and local farmers. It gave them comfort, it was community,” Peggy explains. So she took over the Kitsilano café, and now commutes from Whistler, weekly.
Her father’s values live on at Aphrodite’s, with organic produce as top priority, and local ingredients being used as much as possible. Local suppliers include Golden Ears Cheesecrafters in Maple Ridge. “They can see their cows from their cheese factory!” Peggy adds.
In fact, Aphrodite’s has about 20 to 30 local farmers who deliver direct to the restaurant. This offers a better price to the restaurant and ensures farmers are paid directly. Of course, it also means uber-fresh produce. Rachel Lovick, Aphrodite’s head chef of seven years, changes the menu seasonally, and the fresh sheet, monthly.
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This charming organic café serves up brunch seven days a week and a wholesome selection of seasonal comfort foods prepared with locally sourced ingredients. As the name suggests, the pies are not to be missed. Piecrusts are lovingly prepared with unbleached stoneground flour and organic cane sugar and then filled with organic seasonal fruit – peaches and fresh berries in the summer, apple and pumpkin in the fall. On the savoury side, potpies are available in both meat and veggie varieties. The menu also features a number of vegan and gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions.
View this Smart ListFor more than a decade, this whimsical café has been serving organic breakfasts to Kitsilano’s bohemian community and UBC students alike. Ask any server, and they’ll tell you that vegans opt for the fennel tofu scramble, served with dairy-free cilantro cream and fresh salsa. Or, indulge your sweet tooth and opt for the vegan apple pie (because one can always have pie for breakfast!).
View this Smart ListAny pie at this vibrant, Kitsilano café is bound to delight all the senses. Bakers here use strictly organic stoneground flour, evaporated cane sugar, fresh fruits and other natural ingredients to create seasonal pies such as pecan, cherry, blueberry and pumpkin – not to mention chocolate banana and raspberry cream. And the best part? You can enjoy any slice with a chai latte for just $10.25 – now that’s a match made in heaven. The hardest part will be choosing which one you’ll sink your teeth into!
View this Smart List