Just in time for Easter, a new brunch restaurant has opened its doors in Port Moody.
And its owners are promising a “brunch spin on classic fare” that will be as tasty and filling at dinner time as they would be at 11 a.m.
Hard Bean Brunch Co., located at 2781 Clarke St., is the culmination of a culinary dream for colleagues who cut their hospitality teeth at the Browns Restaurant Group where Heather Rhodes helped launch locations and Geoff Morrison was a chef.
From their own dining experiences, they saw a gap in the dining market for a fun family experience that could still be sophisticated enough for an adult evening out.
“It has to work all day,” said Morrison of Hard Bean’s menu that features unique fare like a nacho breakfast, a smoothie bowl, breakfast macaroni and cheese and a cauliflower burger, as well as more traditional brunch dishes such as omelettes, pancakes, waffles, salads and sandwiches.
And when the orange juice goes back in the fridge, there’s also a wide variety of cocktails, hard coffees and mimosas, as well as wines and craft beers available.
Hard Bean’s official opening last Tuesday (April 12) is the final step in a journey that lasted three years as Rhodes and Morrison, along with other members of their team that includes Rhodes’ husband, Steve, navigated pandemic-related construction delays and supply chain challenges.
But, said Heather Rhodes, that only strengthened their resolve to see their vision through.
“The false starts were discouraging,” she said.
But the delays came with a silver lining, as the team was able to incorporate systems and designs into their restaurant that take advantage of changes people have become used to through two years of public health and safety measures, like using QR codes for contactless menus visitors can access on their phones, and organizing the kitchen so it can better accommodate take-out and delivery orders.
“You have to do the right things,” Rhodes said.
And if things go right in Hard Bean’s 140-seat Port Moody location, more could be popping up around Metro Vancouver as Rhodes said they’ve got their eye on potential future locations, including Langley's Willoughby neighbourhood.
Hard Bean Brunch Co. is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to midnight on Thursdays to Saturdays.
