Nestled behind rows of earth-toned end tables and other angular modern and minimalist home goods, you’ll discover a cool collaboration of couches, coffees and croissants like no other.
From celebrated chef Mandel Hitzer (of RAW: almond, deer + almond and Wall of Chefs fame) comes D + A Café–a casual and cozy dining spot where the menu offers more colour than the velvet pastel armchairs lining every table.
The location
Always looking to innovate and create in unexpected ways, Hitzer and business partner/sommelier Daniel King’s newest venture is an exciting and unique culinary offering within EQ3, the Canadian flagship store newly opened at CF Polo Park.
For people looking for a relaxing café experience after a full day of shopping, to those looking for a healthier choice to keep energy levels high during the day, D+A Café provides a space where shoppers can slow down, sip and savour each bite.
As you enter the main door from the south you are greeted with exquisite furniture displays and are at once drawn into the airy, minimalist–yet-luxe vibe of both the store and the café. To your immediate left sits a stunning marble bar with coffee and tea to order. For those wanting to sip on their cappuccino a little longer and relax, there are various seating options from smaller tables to a cozy banquette that runs along the wall. It’s elegant but will have you making yourself at home (or at least visualizing what your home would look like with some new furniture) in no time.
Now, on to the food
Much like at Hitzer’s acclaimed and celebrity-fawned deer + almond in Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District (where he also released a new menu that we are excited to try), the menu here is bright and fresh, with an emphasis on local Manitoban fare whenever possible.
Brunch is all about the bread with comfort food dishes like eggs Benedict on Crumb Queen’s sourdough, or the ham and gruyere croissant, where melted cheese forms that all important cheese skirt that clings to the pastry.
Servings perfect for sharing include the tuna tartare with sesame, avocado and jalapeños that you scoop into crispy, assertively seasoned wontons. The radicchio with black garlic and miso dressing pairs the bitter and bright purple leaves with slivers of green apples, 24-month aged Manchego and crispy crumbs of panko, creating a picnic for your palate with so many satisfying crunchy bits.
While we enjoyed the plates, we sipped on picturesque cappuccinos so fluffy and foamy that your influencer sister can’t help but send heart eyes when you post it on the ‘gram. Newly licensed, so now you can pair each dish with a curated drink or glass from King's wine menu–all the more reason for us to go back!
Don’t dash before dessert–the crème caramel is a few spoonfuls of saucy golden-brown deliciousness, which is just the portion size we needed after tasting our way through half of the menu. Other sweet options include deer + almond's signature peanut semifreddo with ganache and salted caramel, or cinco leches with cinnamon whip.
*****
You can find D+ A Café open daily inside EQ3 at CF Polo Park located at 1485 Portage Ave.
