VANCOUVER: Sublime brunch

There are places we go to that serve great brunch and terrible coffee, or great coffee and no brunch. But finally, we found a place that splendidly fills both requirements.

Caffè Artigiano does a daily (!) brunch, but only at its West Hastings Vancouver location. We had high hopes considering how consistently perfect their lattes and panino sandwiches are — and we weren’t disappointed.

Jason actually had brunch there first and loved it, then insisted that I HAD to go back with him the next day. I hardly put up a fight.

We settled in with our coffees (latte for Jason and an Americano for me) after ordering at the till and soon, two impressive plates piled high with food arrived.

At Jason’s urging, I ordered the Uova Napolitano ($8.95), a beautiful concoction of eggs (free-range for an extra $1) poached in tomatoes, onion and oregano sauce, served on TOP of a grilled mozzarella panino. And if that wasn’t enough, there was a side of sauteed potatoes and a delicious, spicy Italian sausage.

It was too much food, but it was sublime, and perfect for brunch, which is a bit luxurious by nature anyway.

Jason got the Croque Madame ($9.95), a grilled gruyere cheese and black forest ham panino, topped with basted eggs and Mornay sauce.

“It was like eating an indulgent Alfredo pasta for dinner — but for breakfast,” he said happily.

The West Hastings location, which opened in 2004, was the chain’s third of its eight branches. According to the company’s website, it’s the only one that has a full kitchen, and is where all of Caffe Artigiano’s gourmet items are prepared and distributed to the other locations, but I’m not sure if that’s still the case now that there’s one in Calgary.

It was only a matter of time until an Artigiano opened in Calgary; maybe brunch will soon follow?

Caffe Artigiano, 740 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, (604) 915-7200. Open weekdays 6 a.m.-5 p.m., weekends 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Brunch served daily 8 a.m.-3 p.m.