Shine (Fort St)

Address: 1548 Fort Street
Phone: (250) 595-2133
Website: http://shinecafe.ca/
Price: $10-15
Notes: A happy, friendly brunch place. Go early to beat the line. Great bennies! Potato scone is a Must.





Shine is a small place and they really pack you in, but somehow it doesn't feel crowded, just cosy and friendly. My favourite days to visit Shine are when the weather is rotten - not only because the line isn't so dramatic, but also because this cosy feeling increases. Even if there is a line, there is a nice covered area to wait outside, and you can snag a coffee while you wait.


Things have changed since the last time I visited shine - looks like they have ramped up their 'style' in anticipation of the opening of a second location downtown in the old Demitasse location in Fall 2011. The menu has been revamped - a few older things are missing (the burgers list is completely pared down, which makes me a little sad) and there are some tasty-sounding new bennies.


Service:
July 16, 2011
We were here just before the rush, and the service was good. They seemed to be serving in a team approach which I liked - one person to seat and run the till, one for serving, one for coffee and one for bringing the food. Smart! I like it! Our order-taker was good at joking with us which I appreciate.


Food:
July 16, 2011

Beckett's Benny via foodspotting.com

The Beckett's Benny has Everything on it - chicken, bacon, cheese, garlic, salsa, chipotle hollandaise... it's phenomenal! Also, intensely calorific and filling. Anyhow. I ordered the potato scone on the side to balance things out. It's funny they call it a scone because it's not what I think of when I picture a scone. It's really more of a flat potato pancake. Whatever you call it, it's all kinds of delicious and not too filling which is why it's the Perfect side to this benny!

Croissant Special via foodspotting.com

My partner-in-food-and-life had the egg, lox and cream cheese croissant special. I had a bit of the eggs - they were very nice. The flavour was tasty overall although the main suggestion was "less eggs would have made it easier to eat." Double thumbs up for the ever-fabulous potato scone.