Cinch Cafe
1517 Robson St
Vancouver, BC V6G

Most restaurants in Robson Street go to the extremes to make themselves noticeable. Be it big signs or somebody standing outside handling pamphlets to passers-by, almost anything seems to be fair game. However, Cinch Cafe, where I went for lunch a couple of days ago, does not seem to follow that trend. In fact, I have passed by so many times and, although I knew there was *something* there, it never caught my attention. If it wasn’t because of a suggestion from a colleague…

It was a somewhat chilly noon but we ended up sitting outside, as inside was a bit packed. Now, we did not just sit on the benches they have there. Instead, we were given some cushions. And, then, the menu…

Sandwich and pizza are the main items in their menu. Now, whether this is the full menu, i.e., if their dinner menu is different, I can’t say for certain. In a way, I don’t find it bad for lunch, given the size of their shop. After all of us made our orders (and drinks), it took several minutes before they arrived. A colleague of mine ordered their special of the day, a salmon sandwich:

I could not grab a picture of my other lunch companions (they started eating really fast, so couldn’t take a shot) other than mine (which was also ordered by a colleague) – Chicken Bread Panini (with pesto and bocconcini – $8.50).

I will admit that, despite the sandwich was good on its own ways, it also had not so good parts. Among the good was the bread, which was warm and toasted enough, but not making it “crunchy” and the ratio of bread/chicken/other ingredients. The not-so-good include the use of chicken breast (they are not guilty, though, almost everybody use chicken breast, I prefer dark meat) and instead of bocconcini, it was more on the lines of sliced mozzarella. As for the rest of my lunch companions, including one who ordered a (thin-crust) pizza mentioned their lunch was good.

When we walked in to pay, I took this picture. Yes, it is licenced, which makes me believe this would be a good place for a casual dinner (even if they only serve sandwiches and pizza).

Overall, it was a good lunch. However, they face an uphill battle due to the amount of restaurants in the area. But, as a destination for sandwich for lunch, this sounds good.