Covid-19 Edition: The Caffe Fantasticos!
https://caffefantastico.com
Caffe Fantastico The Roastery 965 Kings Road
Fantastico Bar-Deli Dockside Green 102-398 Harbour Rd
Days are no longer anything like they were in society before the pandemic.
We are frequently hearing phrases like “social distancing” and “self-isolation”. If I hear the word “unprecedented” again I think I’m going to go crazy! Too late, haha!
For a person who loves to be out and about, enjoying coffee or lunch with friends was a well practiced ritual. Life is different now, but I still want to be able to get my morning joe or a tasty bite while respecting the new boundaries.
One business that has figured out how to offer delicious coffee and treats during this Covid-19 situation is Caffé Fantastico, which currently has two locations set up with take out windows and contactless service. The location in Quadra Village, known as “the Roastery” is offering their own freshly roasted coffee beans, (which made my car smell divine!) as well as delicious snacks and smaller meals to go. It is currently open 8 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week. My favourite take-out is the Kale Caesar salad, with super crispy croutons and a tasty dressing! The Morning Glory muffins are off the charts: bursting with carrots, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and raisins. Bet you can’t eat just one!
The new Fantastico Bar-Deli (same company, same high standards) at Dockside Green is a perfect place for an accessible, water-side stroll with your coffee. Located minutes from Victoria’s Inner Harbour and downtown, across the Johnson Street bridge, there are some very tasty offerings! My hands-down favourite is the charcuterie pizza box: gourmet meats and cheeses, house marinated olives, pickled veggies, apricots and fig jam - luxury! Phone ahead to order this item. Currently Open 9AM to 2PM, Tuesday to Saturday.
Accessibility
Of course we all know that at this time there is no going into these places, but Caffe Fantastico is adapting well to the new limitations, and remaining personal and friendly at a distance.
Caffe Fantastico The Roastery (965 Kings Road) is located beside the playground at Work Street park. There always seems to be some street parking, and the new social distancing line up procedures are well-marked on the sidewalk, directing you to order at the counter just inside the door.
Fantastico Bar-Deli Dockside Green (102-398 Harbour Rd) has an underground accessible parkade located behind the cafe. The access to the front of the cafe is via accessible ramps, and the order and pick up windows have clearly roped off areas for waiting.
Scroll through for some photos of our beautiful accessible stroll along Dockside Green and the Galloping Goose trail!
The Bar-Deli is located at Dockside Green, an award-winning mixed use, environmentally sustainable, vibrant neighbourhood. There are beautifully designed interlocking brick and fine gravel pathways winding between ponds and imaginative gardens, amongst the residential and commercial developments.
The lovely bakery, Fol Epi, shares the building with the Caffe, check it out when this location of the bakery opens again!
If you are looking for some fresh air and an accessible stroll along the Gorge Waterway with your coffee, the Galloping Goose multi-use trail is just across the street. There are accessible bird watching docks, and sometimes seals are lounging on the rocks below! Down the path is the Top Soil farmer’s market, with delicious fresh greens and tomatoes for sale, picked straight from the fields there beside the path. Be cautious, and watch for bikes zipping along this busy trail when crossing!
Verdict:
I highly recommend giving the Caffe Fantasticos your business - not only do they sell top quality coffee, tea and foods, but they are very community-minded, and have recently donated to a number of local charities. I find that inspiring.
Both locations are fantastico! but the Bar-Deli is a must-visit for delicious coffee and food set in a natural urban environment along the lovely Gorge Waterway.