La Forêt - Burnaby

Calling it pretentious might be an understatement, but... the food and atmosphere are fantastic! I feel quite trendy just being here, even though I'm really not. The cake is amazing!

Be prepared for a line; it starts at the door and takes about 10 minutes. There's free parking available along Jubilee Street. The spacious shop can seat approximately 150-200 guests. It looks busy when you arrive, but we had someone help us reserve a table, which was a nice touch. The service was fantastic, making for a comfortable experience despite the hustle and bustle. This place is very well-managed, and I wish more establishments operated like this. Vegetarian options are available, such as yogurt shokupan, and the restaurant is wheelchair accessible, with a flat entrance.

The vibe is a warehouse turned into a rainforest cafe. It is a popular spot with an open concept layout, so be prepared for a relatively high amount of noise at all times.I got the chicken and waffles to share and the amount was generous; we ended up taking home some leftovers. I liked that there were take-out boxes and cutlery available for you to get yourself. The waffles were a little too eggy but the chicken was perfect. Price for everything is on the higher end but it's understandable based on the cafe's services and facilities.

This coffee shop is fantastic, featuring ample seating and a lively atmosphere. They offer a wide range of food and drink options, including unique breakfast, lunch, and dessert choices that are beautifully presented.

The aesthetic of la Foret is second to very few. A lot of thought went into it.While there is often a long queue getting through the till and ordering is usually quite quick. The only fall down is waiting on the food or coffee. The food can take some time as it is a popular spot but the coffee is simply slow compared to the other offers. And you have to stand and wait. Not necessarily conducive to a pleasant lunch experience. Worse, invariably the coffees are not exceptional.But as an overall experience it is quite good and the design makes up for a lot of shortcomings. It is a true pleasure to relax there.