Eaters Gotta Eat: Caf​​é Medina Owner Robbie Kane’s Fave Meals in the City

If you love food and sweet carbs, you’ve undoubtedly experienced Cafe Medina‘s legendary Liège waffles, studded with pearl sugar. (It’s really no surprise that Medina won our latest Reader’s Choice Award for Best Brunch.) Husband, father and Medina owner Robbie Kane is the man behind it all; he’s also a partner in the highly craveable Middle Eastern spot, Superbaba, and he certainly knows how to eat his way around this city.

Superbaba

Various locations

First, some Superbaba backstory. “I wanted to open a quick service Middle Eastern place, and so did one of my partners [who runs Tacofino] and Dallah [El Chami, owner/chef]. For us, the bread program was first and foremost.” (The bread in question: two kinds of fresh-baked pita.) Kane’s order? Chicken Wrap, hold the fries. “I took my parents there the other night—my mom is a pretty discerning person—and she was like, ‘Wow Rob, that was great.’ And my son goes nuts for the Crispy Eggplant.”

Kishimoto

2054 Commercial Dr.

“This is our sushi go-to. It’s an intimate room and they think of all the tiny details,” he says.. “The quality and consistency is second to none.” Must-orders: Smoked Salmon Oshi and the Fried Eggplant, if it’s in season. Their signature Kaiseki tasting menu is on Kane’s bucket list; available on and off throughout the year, it has to be booked in advance.

Au Comptoir

2278 W 4th Ave.

Some go for a sweet brunch, and some for savoury—what about a man who specializes in running a brunch spot for a living? “ I don’t get out for brunch often, but when I do I go to Au Comptoir for their burger. The raclette, the caramelized onions, the fresh bun… when that bun is dialed, it’s so good. Sadly I get it with salad, not fries. But I steal a couple from my son.”

Adelitas on Victoria

5178 Victoria Dr.

Tucked away in a nondescript row of small businesses on Victoria, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Adelitas is worth a try. “It’s a hole in the wall, cheap and cheerful. We get the awesome nachos and my son loves the taquitos.”

Bravo

4194 Fraser St.

This seafood-forward cocktail and wine bar in his Fraser St. neighbourhood (Vanmag‘s Best New Restaurant winner for 2024) is another pull-up-to-the-bar place for Kane. “I was super sad to see Ubuntu leave Fraser Street, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Bar Bravo move in. It’s excellent. Great vibes, super fresh and consistent, the cocktail program is really nice. Jon [Merrill, owner] makes everybody feel special.” Oysters and the Tofino King Salmon with maple ginger dressing, cucumber, and avocado are his two must-orders here.

Elisa

1109 Hamilton St.

“If it’s a special night out, I still think Toptable is top notch–they don’t cut corners. If we want a steak, we go to Elisa. I’m a sucker for a good shrimp cocktail and we’ll often have oysters or the carpaccio. My wife gets a filet, and I won’t even tell you how she wants it cooked cause everybody would be like ‘whaaat’?” 

Blue Water Cafe

1095 Hamilton St.

“If we want to splurge, my wife and I sit at the sushi bar here. Blue Water is also kind of the room where I got my start; I worked at Century Grill in 1996, so it’s interesting for me to sit in that room. At the sushi bar, whatever we see them making we’re like ‘we want one of those.’ Those are true artists behind that bar.” 

Bao Bei

163 Keefer St.

“I have a soft spot for Bao Bei. I worked with Tannis [Ling] years ago. I take my kids for dad-daughter or dad-son meals here. Unfortunately, the fried chicken is off the menu—I’ve had words with them about it—but we get the Shao Bing [sesame flatbread with Te Mana lamb], Sticky Rice Cakes and baos. With a glass of muscadet.”

L’Atelier Patisserie

599 E Broadway

Lest we forget a pastry place, Kane call outs L’Atelier’s bakery case as one of the best. “The Pain au Chocolat is my go-to. What can I say? I’m a simple guy.”

Cómo Taperia

201 E 7th Ave.

Kane holds an Italian passport, plans to one day live in Europe, and once lived in Spain—all’s to say, he loves the vibe that Como gives. “When my wife and I are on our bicycles we’ll stop in for a vermouth and some papas bravas. Also, Shaun [Layton, co-owner] has all the best travel recommendations for, like, every city in the world.” 

Sawasdee Thai

4250 Main St.

“I’m a huge fan of Thai food—my family and I spent a month there this year—and since the ’90s, I’ve been going to Sawasdee.” The Crying Tiger Beef, Kang Panang Chicken and the spring rolls keep him coming back again and again.

Harvest Community Foods

243 Union St.

The #17 Ramen with squash, miso broth, yuzu radish and sesame is his rainy-weather comfort food. “And their cookie! As far as I’m concerned, it is the best chocolate chip cookie in the city. Like super big, salty, messy. I’ll bring them for my staff sometimes… I’ll go in and just spend $50 on cookies.” Worth noting, the cookies are only available a few days of the week, so call ahead.

Fat Mao

Another noodle soup craving fix? The creamy Khao Soi from Chinatown’s Fat Mao with braised chicken leg in a creamy northern Thai curry, served with flat egg noodles and crispy noodles on top. (Coincidentally, it’s our fave too.)

Savio Volpe

615 Kingsway

To state the obvious, everybody loves Savio—Kane is no different. “My wife and I often sneak out and go for dinner here. We’ll get the half-chicken and kale salad.” Done and done.

More Recommendations from Vancouver Chefs, Restaurateurs and Somms

Shiva Reddy of Burdock and Co

Lewis Hart of Laowai

Amelie Nguyen of Anh and Chi