GRANDMAMA’S CAFE: Redefining Comfort Food Story by Sarah Gordon
Photos by Sandra Steier & submitted
Tucked around the corner on Balsam Street just north of West 41st Avenue you will find a charming, detached building that houses Grandmama’s Café, Kerrisdale’s new gem of a restaurant. You will instantly spot the quaint business with its big windows, black and white striped awning, and attractive pink signage. Grandmama’s Café opened last September and is quickly building a loyal clientele. People gather here for home-cooked meals. Students enjoy the relaxed environment where they can dine or enjoy a cup of coffee while they study. Many local seniors have claimed the restaurant as their new gathering place.
Three years ago, Irfan and his family relocated to Vancouver from Mumbai where he had worked in the lifestyle product business. The family is well travelled and visited Vancouver often; they love Kerrisdale and settled here. Irfan mentions, “We always had an intention to do something in the café industry. We had been scouting around in Kerrisdale, and by luck, we found the former business was for sale. We had keen eyes and we knew we could make it into something new,” he says. This is his first venture as a restaurant owner. His wife Sana has culinary training and assists Irfan.
Irfan Hakim is the owner of Grandmama’s Café. He made some cosmetic changes to create an open concept and the result is an aesthetically pleasing bright and airy space.
“We are redefining comfort food.”
“Our destiny came true when we moved to Canada.”
Irfan comments, “This would not have been possible without the support of my family. I must credit my daughter Ilham who is studying
16
February 15 - April 15, 2022
KerrisdaleInsider.com
