"Who would expect Angelina Jolie to stroll into our shop?
That's what Nero Belgian Waffle Bar owner and co-founder Eilnaz Taagholi told V.I.A. after the Academy Award-winning actress visited the Vancouver establishment on Monday, Jan. 27.
Taagholi said Jolie, accompanied by her driver, "casually" strolled into Nero's South Granville location, which only opened in August last year at 2861 Granville St.
He explained the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Maleficent star ordered an original Liège waffle and an oat cappuccino.
Jolie also purchased a box of seven waffles to go, including Nero's customer-favourite custard-filled waffle.
"Over the past 13 years, we've had the privilege of welcoming some well-known faces to our three locations, but having Angelina stop by our newest Granville location was an extraordinary surprise," Taagholi said.
"I actually hope she will be back for more this week."
After the disbelief settled in, Taagholi described Jolie as humble and sweet as she took an interest in the waffle-making process.
"Seeing her appreciate what we’re so passionate about was an incredible honour," he added.
Nero Belgian Waffle Bar has two other locations in Vancouver, at 1002 Seymour St in Yaletown, and its original shop at 1703 Robson St in the West End.
The Robson Street shop was the first Nero to open in 2012, roughly a year after Taagholi and his wife moved from Belgium and dreamt of serving authentic Brussels and Liège waffles.
Jolie, 49, has visited Vancouver on several occasions.
Most notably, she delivered a keynote speech at the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial conference held in Vancouver in November 2017.
Her movies Changeling (2008) and Life or Something Like It (2002) were mostly filmed in Vancity, too.
Credits also include Marvel Studios' Eternals, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, voice work for Kung Fu Panda and Shark Tale, as well as Girl, Interrupted, for which she won the 1999 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
