It’s close to our office, so it was hard not to notice when the signs came down on Vish, an Israeli-themed eatery on 124th Street that specialized on conscious eating and many varieties of hummus.
And, this past week, the new signage went up. The Vetrina Cafe now stands in its place. But, when a co-worker and I walked in to check it out, I couldn’t help but notice that it didn’t seem like anything had changed from the Vish days. There were still salads behind the counter, the same light wood tables stood on a concrete floor. We’re told that while Vish is no more, a new owner has simply come in, changed the name, but kept the staff and left the bones of the restaurant as is.
So, to call Vetrina Cafe a new place would be a bit of a reach — but, of course, it’s still worth revisiting the spot. What will new ownership bring?
I ordered the Chicken Schnitzel, while my office mate got the falafel in a pita. The orders represented the mishmash of European and Middle Eastern influences on the menu. There’s also some brunch items that might be worth a try, next time.
The schnitzel had a nice crunchy breading and was served on a baguette. The pickled turnips and sweet pickles combine for a wonderfully sour complement to the salt profile of the chicken. It’s a big sandwich, and came with a side salad with a simple oil dressing.
The falafel had a nice crunch, but gave way to a soft centre. Like the sandwich, the size of the pita made for a substantial lunch.
Vetrina Cafe has a great location going for it. Time will tell if the second time’s a charm,
Vetrina Cafe
Westmount | 10326 124 St NW, Edmonton | 866.573.4326
