Noshwellmenu

[rating:3] :

Copa Cafe is a Hong Kong style Cafe that serves Chinese dishes with a western twist. Like other Hong Kong style cafes, Copa Cafe offers mini dishes at cheap prices. A close friend recommended Copa Cafe, so Tre and I ventured out to see how it would measure up to another HK style cafe within the neighborhood — Cafe Gloucester.

It’s peak time and Copa’s packed, so we were lucky to get seated right away. We were handed menus and urged to order quickly. Copa’s menu is similar to Gloucester, but does have some interesting dishes that Gloucester doesn’t have.We managed to narrow down our choices. Tre settled on spicy lamb on rice, served in a sizzling clay pot (the clay pots appear to be a Copa specialty). I ordered the Baked Fish Florentine, which had spinach, cheese, garlic and cream over rice (mmm, carbolicious — quite possibly a dietitian’s worst nightmare). Both of our meals come with a free drink, so we both ordered hot Hong Kong style coffees. I’m not normally a fan of this kind of hot coffee because it’s made with evaporated milk which can make the coffee heavy and dense, and will make the coffee taste like crap if it’s not done properly.

The entrees arrive and the food looks good. Tre’s thinly slices of spicy lamb on rice is sizzling away in an adorable clay pot. The lamb is spicy and tender and has a nice aroma, but is a bit under seasoned. I liked my baked fish florentine: tender pieces of white fish smothered in a delicious garlic, cheese and spinach cream sauce.  The coffee is surprisingly good, not heavy or dense as I had expected.

So how does Copa Cafe stack up to Cafe Gloucester? Well, it’s pretty close. The ambiance is more modern and swankier, but the wait staff aren’t as laid back as Cafe Gloucester.

Perfect For: Tea time, good meals on a budget, or a suitable alternative if the line up at Cafe Gloucester is too long to bear.

The Details

4030 Cambie St. Vancouver
604.873.8974

— ♠ —