There's a new brunch option launching Jan. 23 in Vancouver, and it happens to be totally plant-based.
MILA, which opened last fall in Vancouver's Chinatown, specializes in comfort classics with a gently elegant touch. The restaurant has drawn raves from vegans and omnivores alike, particularly for dishes that strike a chord of familiarity, like its aburi-style sushi, creamy mushroom and sausage pasta, and a delectable peanut butter and chocolate pie.
Taking a cue from its success with the dinner menu, MILA will now offer a weekend brunch service that riffs on standard fare. The menu features a pair of plant-based benedicts (one is based on a meatless "crab cake" topped with avocado, tofu egg, and vegan hollandaise, for example), as well as items like PB & J Waffles and Asian-inspired Breakfast Bao Buns.
To make its brunch creations, the kitchen crew at MILA will be using ingredients from familiar local plant-based brands. “Yoggu, East Van Jam, Tempea, and TMRW Foods products highlight our dishes, such as the Yogurt Bowl, Jam + Ricotta Toast, and Tempeh Rib Hash," explains Head Chef Breanne Smart.
"The dish I’m most excited for everyone to try is the Smoked Lox Benedict – it borrows the flavours from our popular Aburi Lox Oshi, a traditional Bagel & Lox, and a classic hollandaise," adds Smart.
Where there are bennies there should, by rights, be a Caesar. The Canadian cocktail classic gets a plant-based shake-up courtesy MILA bar manager Alex Tognazzi. Called "Enter the Dragon," the drink features Absolut Vodka, sake, a tower of assorted pickled vegetables, and an Asian Caesar mix infused with soy, miso, and wasabi. Also on offer is a Mimosa Flight, with four fruit-forward tastes of the beloved brunch beverage.
Brunch service kicks off at MILA (185 Keefer St) on Saturday, Jan. 23 and is available weekend starting at 10:30 a.m. Brunch items are also available to order for take-out and delivery.
