How the French Do Brunch — A Bistro Guide

The French don’t really do brunch. They do le déjeuner — a late breakfast that slides into lunch without fanfare. At Vogue Cafe in Steveston Village, that rhythm runs Monday through Sunday until 3 pm. You’ll find croque madame on brioche, savoury buckwheat crêpes, and a bowl of marrow-bone onion soup at 1 pm if you want it.

The pace is the point

A Parisian café doesn’t rush the table. Coffee arrives first — espresso ($4), café au lait in a bowl, or a $6 cappuccino pulled from the La Marzocco. The printed menu stays on the table while you decide between a quiche Lorraine ($17) and a Parisienne baguette sandwich ($20) stacked with prosciutto, ham, cheese, butter, lettuce, tomato, and pickle. Service is counter-to-table, warm, and unhurried. The dining room has deep-red walls and wood tables; the covered side patio wears red-checkered cloths and greenery walls. A dog bowl sits by the door.

Eggs, ham, and cheese — the holy trinity

Croque Monsieur ($17): European ham, melted cheese, brioche bun, side salad.

Croque Madame ($17): the same, crowned with a fried egg.

Croque Veggie ($17): sautéed spinach, egg, cheese, brioche, salad.

The brioche is buttery, the ham is European-cut, the cheese pulls. A classic béchamel binds it; the egg on the madame turns the sandwich into a knife-and-fork affair.

Galettes — buckwheat, not batter

Savoury crêpes here are galettes de sarrasin: thin, lace-edged buckwheat pancakes ($17 each). The batter rests overnight, hits a hot cast-iron plate, and sets in seconds. Fillings fold in while the edge crisps:

• European Ham, Cheese & Egg
• Sautéed Spinach, Feta, Tomato & Egg
• Beer Sausage, Tomato & Cheese
• Sautéed Mushroom, Spinach & Egg
• Sautéed Mushroom, Beer Sausage, Tomato & Cheese

Buckwheat brings earthiness and a natural gluten-free structure (call to ask about cross-contamination). Pair with a Kronenbourg 1664 ($9) or a glass of Côtes du Rhône (6 oz $11).

Quiche, tartines, and the soup that starts with marrow

Quiche Lorraine ($17): egg, European bacon, cheese, side salad.

Spinach Quiche ($17): egg, spinach, Brie, side salad.

The crust is shortcrust, blind-baked, custard set just shy of wobble.

French Onion Soup à l’Ancienne ($17): beef marrow-bone broth, deep caramelized onions, a crouton raft, cheese broiled until the edges burn. The marrow gives the broth body no bouillon cube can fake.

Salade de Chèvre Chaud ($17): toasted goat-cheese baguette, tomato, raisins, almonds, mixed greens.

Charcuterie Plate ($17): dry sausage, beer sausage, prosciutto, frankfurter, pickle — built for sharing with a beer flight.

Sweet crêpes, tarts, and the last coffee

Buttery wheat crêpes ($14) come six ways: Nutella & Banana, Chocolate Strawberry, Sugar & Lemon, Apple & House-made Caramel, Sugar Butter Cinnamon, and Crêpe Suzette — orange sauce, Grand Marnier, flamed tableside when the bar isn’t slammed.

Desserts are made in-house ($10 each): Caramel Chocolate Tart, Strawberry Tart, Lemon Tart, Éclair au Chocolat, Coffee Éclair. The strawberry-chocolate tart wears a chocolate "VOGUE CAFE" plaque.

What people ask

Is brunch served all day?

Brunch runs until 3 pm daily; the full menu continues until close at 8:30 pm.

Can I reserve a table for six?

Yes — reservations via the online form or (604) 370-4444, confirmed within two hours. Seven to ten guests qualifies for private dining; 10+ is an event enquiry.

Are the galettes gluten-free?

Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free; the kitchen is not a dedicated GF facility. Call to ask about your specific needs.

Do you have non-alcoholic options?

Heineken 0.0 ($9), San Pellegrino Aranciata & Limonata ($5), premium waters ($7), and the full espresso bar with decaf.

Next step

Walk in at 12251 No 1 Rd #130, Steveston Village, or reserve online. Brunch ends at 3 pm — the espresso bar runs all day.