French Bistro Richmond — Vogue Cafe in Steveston Village

Vogue Cafe sits on No. 1 Road in Steveston Village, a working fishing harbour where the boardwalk smells of salt and diesel at low tide. The sign reads VOGUE CAFÉ — FRENCH BISTRO in tricolore letters; inside, deep-red walls, wood tables, and a small bar make the room feel like a neighbourhood spot in Lyon, not a dining room in a hotel. You come here for a croque madame at brunch, a glass of Côtes du Rhône at six, or a bowl of French onion soup built on beef marrow-bone broth — not for white tablecloths or a tasting menu.

What "casual French bistro" actually means here

The menu is split into Café Plates ($17), Savoury Crêpes ($17), Baguette Sandwiches ($20), Starters ($17), and four Chef Signatures ($29). That pricing tells you the ambition: honest cooking, generous portions, no supplement charges. A classic bourguignon is browned in batches, deglazed with wine, then simmered until the collagen turns to gelatin — here it arrives as Beef Bourguignon ($29) with stewed vegetables and three-colour rice. The Navarin d'Agneau ($29) treats lamb the same way: shoulder, seasonal vegetables, long slow reduction. Creamy Mushroom Chicken ($29) is a breast sautéed golden, then finished in a mushroom cream sauce. Ratatouille ($29) is the Provençal vegetable stew you know, served with three-colour rice — vegetarian, not vegan (call to ask about butter or stock).

Brunch, lunch, and the espresso bar

Brunch runs until 3 pm daily. Croque Monsieur ($17) — European ham, cheese, brioche, side salad. Croque Madame ($17) adds a fried egg. Croque Veggie ($17) swaps ham for sautéed spinach. Quiche Lorraine ($17) and Spinach Quiche with Brie ($17) come as wedges with salad. The espresso bar pulls Espresso $4, Americano $5, Latte $6, Cappuccino $6; decaf available. House-made butter croissants and pain au chocolat sit on the counter — order one with coffee and you have a French breakfast for under $15.

Galettes, crêpes, and the buckwheat difference

The Savoury Crêpes ($17) are thin buckwheat pancakes — galettes, really. Buckwheat has no gluten, so the batter sets lace-thin and crisp at the edges where wheat crêpes stay soft. Fillings: European Ham, Cheese & Egg; Sautéed Spinach, Feta, Tomato & Egg; Beer Sausage, Tomato & Cheese; Sautéed Mushroom, Spinach & Egg; Sautéed Mushroom, Beer Sausage, Tomato & Cheese. Sweet Crêpes ($14) switch to buttery wheat batter: Nutella & Banana, Chocolate Strawberry, Sugar & Lemon, Apple & House-made Caramel, Sugar Butter Cinnamon, and Suzette (orange sauce, Grand Marnier).

Baguette sandwiches on house-made bread

The baguettes come out of the kitchen oven — crisp crust, open crumb. Parisienne ($20): prosciutto, European ham, cheese, butter, lettuce, tomato, pickle. Agneau ($20): roast lamb, cheese, lettuce, tomato. French Onion ($20): slow-cooked beef, caramelized onions, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle. Poulet au Brie ($20): sautéed chicken, fresh mango, Brie, lettuce, tomato. Saucisson Frankfurt ($20): frankfurter in tomato sauce, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle. Baguette Pizza ($20): choose spinach, lamb, chicken, beef, ham, or sausage on tomato sauce, cheese, olives.

Starters that anchor a meal

French Onion Soup à l'Ancienne ($17) — beef marrow-bone broth, cheese, crouton. The marrow gives the broth body and a faint sweetness no bouillon cube can fake. Salade Parisienne ($17): European ham, assorted cheese, mixed greens, hard-boiled egg, mushroom, tomato. Salade de Chèvre Chaud ($17): toasted goat-cheese baguette, tomato, raisins, almonds, mixed greens. Salade de Feta ($17): mixed greens, walnut, feta, tomato, cucumber. Duck Pâté ($17): velvety smooth, toasted baguette. Brie en Croûte ($17): baked Brie in puff pastry with sun-dried tomato. Charcuterie Plate ($17): dry sausage, beer sausage, prosciutto, frankfurter, pickle.

Desserts made in house

Caramel Chocolate Tart, Strawberry Tart, Lemon Tart ($10 each). Éclair au Chocolat, Coffee Éclair ($10). The strawberry-chocolate tart arrives with a chocolate plaque stamped VOGUE CAFE — a small signature that tells you the pastry team made it that morning.

Wine, beer, cocktails, spirits

Wine by the glass: 6 oz $11, 9 oz $15, bottle $45. Reds — Côtes du Rhône, Merlot Pays d'Oc, Mouton Cadet Red Bordeaux, Country Vines "The Queens" Gamay (BC), Country Vines Cabernet Franc (BC). Whites — Mouton Cadet White Bordeaux, Country Vines Viognier (BC), Country Vines Back Forty sparkling (BC). Rosé — La Vieille Ferme (France).

Import beer $9: Kronenbourg 1664, Heineken, Heineken 0.0. Local (Barnside Brewing, Delta BC): Home Field Hazy IPA, Premium Craft Pilsner, Honey Comb Amber Ale, Dutch Red Ale. Beer flights and draught service available.

Cocktails $13: Aperol Spritz, Hugo Spritz (St-Germain), Paris Spritz (Grand Marnier), Kir Royale, Chambord Royale, Cognac Highball (St-Rémy, soda, orange twist), Gin & Soda French Style (Bombay Sapphire, St-Germain), Shaft (Grey Goose, espresso, Kahlúa), Caramel Café (espresso, Baileys, house-made caramel).

Spirits: single $6, double $9 — Grey Goose, Cazadores reposado, St-Rémy brandy, Grand Marnier, Chambord, Baileys, Crown Royal, Bombay Sapphire, Aperol, L'Héritier-Guyot crème de cassis, St-Germain, Kahlúa.

The room, the patio, the dog bowl by the door

Heritage-style storefront with a gable roofline, string lights, and its own parking. Outdoor bar-height tables at the front windows; covered side patio with greenery walls and red-checkered tablecloths. A dog bowl sits by the door — patio is dog-friendly. Inside, a small bar, printed menu posted in the window, deep-red walls, wood tables. Fully licensed; liquor licence runs until midnight. Private dining for 7–10 guests, event enquiries for 10+ — call or use the online form.

What people ask

Is this fine dining?

No. It's a casual French bistro & café. Warm neighbourhood feel, counter-service energy at brunch, table service at dinner. No white tablecloths.

What's the price range?

Starters and café plates $17. Savoury crêpes $17. Baguette sandwiches $20. Chef signatures $29. Sweet crêpes $14. Desserts $10. Coffee $4–6. Wine pours $11–15. Cocktails $13.

Do you take reservations?

Yes — online form or call (604) 370-4444. Confirmed within two hours. Occasions supported: birthday, anniversary, business dinner, proposal. 7–10 guests = private dining; 10+ = event enquiry.

Are there vegetarian options?

Ratatouille ($29), Spinach Quiche ($17), several savoury crêpes, salads, sweet crêpes, desserts. Vegan or allergy-specific? Call to ask.

What are the hours?

Daily 10:30 am – 8:30 pm. Brunch until 3 pm. Licensed until midnight for private bookings by arrangement.

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Walk in for a croissant and latte at 10:30, or reserve a table for bourguignon and a bottle of Côtes du Rhône at seven. Either way, you're eating in Steveston, ten minutes from the boardwalk, the cannery, and Garry Point Park. Call (604) 370-4444 or book online.