Luc Duval and Thibault Nicaise want to bring the flavours (and feel) of southern France to Vancouver's West End.
That's , a new cafe opening in a secluded spot on Cardero Street near Pendrell Street, away from busier commercial areas on Davie or Robson streets. For more than a century, that location was home to Cardero Grocery.
"I'm excited the place is a little more tucked in from the main streets," says Duval.
Soon, it will be a Provence-inspired cafe serving sandwiches on baguettes and focaccia, coffees, salads, and southern French specialties, says Duval.
"We're both from the south of France," he tells V.I.A. "So we wanted to open a coffee shop that brought that."
The pair met at culinary school in France. When Duval opened , he hired Nicaise as the chef. Now they're partnering on Sud.
"It's comfort food; it's nothing crazy elaborate," Duval says of the incoming cafe. "If you like food and like to enjoy freshly made products, I'm sure you're going to love it."
Among the dishes Duval is excited to see on the menu are a sandwich inspired by his grandfather (who loves eating it) and some regional baked goods.
"For the lunch we're going to make a sandwich called a papy [a regional term for grandfather] sandwich," he says. "It's made with charcuterie inside: prosciutto, salami, goat cheese, and quince jam."
There's also fougasse d'Aigues-Mortes and Bébé tropézienne. Duval's mother is in the south of France right now and will bring a slice of fougasse d'Aigues-Mortes to 麻豆传媒映画so Nicaise and Duval can make sure they get it right.
"Aigues is a small village," explains Duval. "[The pastry] is a very buttery, comforting brioche with orange blossom."
"It's a thing that you really only find there."
While signs on the windows say it'll open in April, Duval notes it might be a little later. They're waiting on some permits and might not be able to get the finishing touches done until May.
"I'm very excited to open," says Duval. "We've been doing so many trials in the kitchen; sometimes we do a trial just as an excuse to eat."
馃嵔 Find more delicious Metro 麻豆传媒映画food and drink video stories by following V.I.A.'s Forking Awesome on and , and signing up for our Forking Awesome newsletter 馃摤 delivered fresh to your inbox every Thursday.
