It seems like every week, a new place opens up in our little Gastown village. One of my latest favourites,
, at 122 West Hastings, has been open for a few months now, and is quickly becoming a favourite brunch and lunch spot for the neighbourhood.
I stopped in by myself for a quick lunch at the counter about a week after their opening, and had the pulled pork grilled cheese. The staff were incredibly friendly and often stopped by for a quick chat on their way to and from their tables. I also met executive chef Walter Messiah, who stared at me for a minute, and then announced that he recognized me from my very first visit to all-time favourite
, which he helped establish a few years ago. He remembered I was a lawyer. I knew I had recognized him from somewhere, but was astonished that he recognized me. Walter's delightful daughter Jade is also on staff at Catch 122 and we became Twitter buddies after my first visit.
A welcoming environment goes a long way, but you also need to have some great food in over to win over the discerning Gastown locals. And Catch 122 doesn't disappoint. The menu isn't going to change the world, but the food is well-prepared with attention to detail. The pulled pork grilled cheese was amazing, and the coffee (thanks to barista Steven) was delicious. My friend Cathy and I stopped by the next week for brunch, and we each had "The Hastings" - sunny side up eggs, crispy bacon, melted goat cheese and yukon potato hash. Being a Woodwards resident, I can't wait to try "The Woodwards" - caramelized red onion and chives omelette with yukon potato hash and swiss cheese toast.
Walter also stopped by our table at brunch to say hello and offer us yogurt parfaits, which were delicious. The portions (at both brunch and lunch) are generous without being too much. The food is what I would call traditional comfort food, with a bit of an upscale twist, which is often thanks to one or two luxury ingredients: poutine is not just poutine, it's
gorgonzola
poutine. You get the idea.
There are plenty of tables at Catch 122 and families are welcome - there is a special kids' menu. You can also stop in for coffee and a pastry to go, or to pick up a ready meal. I'll be interested to see how things go when Catch is open for dinner as well - which I'm told should be very soon.
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese with Pommes Frites.
The great bar and coffee space.
Photo courtesy www.catch122.ca.
Barista Steven makes good coffee, but he thinks it should be better LOOKING.
Catch 122 has plenty of tables, including some round tables for large groups and a long social table in the back.
Photo courtesy www.catch122.ca.