In the US, it’s a donut. In the UK, it’s a biscuit. In Italy, it’ll be a biscotti. In France, you can bet it will be a croissant. There is a tradition, the world over, no matter where you live, of liking something a little sweet with your morning coffee.
In northern European countries, like Denmark, Sweden or Norway, this “coffee with….” tradition usually includes a waffle.
Anita Cotton grew up at her mother’s table, eating all the delicious treats of her Scandinavian heritage. and one day, she decided that those family-loved recipes had been in the vault too long–it was time to share them with the world.
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Scandilicious started with a waffle truck and small waffle take-out on Commercial Drive. But it has expanded into so much more than that. A year ago, they began remodelling their commercial kitchen space at the very bottom of Victoria drive, and turned it into a bright and sunny cafe, where they were able to offer more than just coffee and waffles.
Scandilicious Dockside offers a full compliment of Norwegian-inspired breakfasts, like kumle, which is a kind of potato patty stuffed with meat (alongside eggs or waffles, of course!), as well as more traditional eggs-and-bacon breakfasts, and bennies served with their unique hollandaise, which is a little lighter than most. Lunches include a beautiful house-made organic salad, traditional meatballs with lingonberry sauce, and burgers, like a pulled pork version, a spicy chipotle chicken, a veggie, and a –OMG–Chocolate Bacon Burger.
There is, of course, also coffee, and all the sweets to go with it.
“Hang over helper,” eggs benny on a waffle
Waffle options include both sweet and savoury. Savoury options include a wink to their Norwegian heritage in the form of Den Beste (smoked salmon, cream cheese, dill), Leaf Ericson (a vegetarian version with hummus), Viking Breath (roasted garlic, caramelized onion, brie and pear), and their namesake Scandilicious Waffle (sliced boiled eggs, shrimp, dill and a lemon dill sauce).
Apple Pieffle
Sweet waffles also do not disappoint in either flavour or variety. If you’re looking for a dessert, or just a sweet something to have with your sweetie, there’s lots to choose from. Speaking of sweeties, Soul Mates is a waffle match made in heaven, topped with peanut butter, nutella, chocolate and whipped cream. Monkey Munchies pairs peanut butter, bananas, and Scandilos peanut butter caramel drizzle. Lovers gives you strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate (ooh la la!), and my favourite, Apple PIefful, comes topped with gingerbread spread, a warm apple pie filling, whipped cream and fresh slices of crispy apples. There’s even the Vaffler, a heart-shaped Norwegian style waffle scented with cardamom.
Traditional, open-faced sandwiches
One thing I really love about Scandilicious is how aware they are of dietary restrictions. They have loads of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. There’s are fluffy gluten-free and vegan waffles, which can be topped however your heart desires. The Veganessa, topped with almond butter, raspberry jam, bananas and blueberries is especially popular.
Gluten-free eclair
Anita put her head together with her head baker, and they spend weeks coming up with a fabulous gluten-free flour mix, which goes into many of their baked goods. All were light and without that chalky taste that sometimes comes with gluten-free products. There is an elegant gluten-free french eclair, as well as various cookies. They also serve a moist banana chocolate-chip muffin, and gluten-free donuts with various fillings. Vegans will dig the raw, gluten-free brownie, sweetened with dates. They also sell the best gluten-free brioche I have ever tasted.
Gluten-free brioche
No matter where you’re from, and no matter what you like with your coffee (or tea), you’ll likely find something at Scandilicious to tickle your fancy.
Scandilicious
Address:
25 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
1340 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Website: scandilicious.com
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