très français
Filed Under Places | March 9, 2010
We’re always looking for child-friendly places to go for coffee with our tots, so when we started hearing about Simply French on West 10th we had to check it out and we were immediately enchantée.
It met the main criteria on our kid-friendly list: Room for strollers to maneuver? Check; Reasonably priced menu d’enfants? Check; High chairs? Well a high chair; and something to keep kids amused? Check and parfait!
We appreciate that the tables at Simply French are far enough apart to allow stroller access. The simple but appealing kids menu features fluffy hot chocolate and steamed milk and grilled cheese or Nutella sandwiches. And tucked away in one corner of the café is a kids’ table with pint-sized chairs. The table itself is stocked with books, art supplies and toys.
As for a mama-friendly checklist, the kids’ table is right next to a long, communal table in front of a fireplace where you can sit and chat with friends or browse through a magazine while your tots play. The space is large, bright and decorated with chandeliers and art deco-ish French posters. The menu includes in-house baking, paninis, soups, coffees and teas while another corner of the store stocks jewelry, soaps from the likes of Côté Bastide and Kusmi Teas which we’d buy for the tins alone.
Simply French’s back story will appeal to anyone who’s ever dreamt of following their dream. Last year owner Isobel Drummond, formerly of Truffles Bistro, packed up her family (including two teenage daughters) and set off for a six month sabbatical in Paris where she set about learning the art of authentic Parisian pastry. Yum.
And Simply French is on the same block as a 4Cats Arts Studio and Classy Kids Consignment so you can always make a morning of it or sneak off for coffee while your kids are immersed in art.
Simply French
3742 West 10th Avenue
604.568.6180
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Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
Nom nom. I’ll have to check it out on my next trip up. We have several lovely French bakeries in Seattle, but the seating is always spotty.