My brother, ever a whirlwind, blew into town from Kelowna this weekend. I immediately insisted we go dress shopping in Sherwood Park. My TRUE motive was to get him to go to Cafe Haven with me, though.
I first read about Cafe Haven on foodiesuz’s website and have stored it away in my brain for my next visit to the bedroom community of Sherwood Park. I often go to Costco there, and you know what they say about shopping on an empty stomach!
I must confess cafes in Edmonton (other than Sugarbowl, da capo or Tesoro) turn me off. I think of schizophrenic menus, glass cases half full of stale baked goods and sad cups of coffee when I think cafe here. Hence, I went into Cafe Haven with a cautious approach.
Cafe Haven’s glass cases were full of deliciousness!
My concerns were unwarranted.
This little cafe has it goin’ on. In the community where I imagine Starbucks and Second Cup are the norm for caffeine junkies, Cafe Haven was bumping. Located in a strip mall in the space of a former bank (there is even an old vault), it is full of eclectic decorations and furniture, and features a limited but focused menu (lunch fare, mostly) and helpful staff. I totally agree with foodiesuz/Susan’s sentiments about most coffee shop menus being disjointed and all over the place. That said: Haven nails all the good stuff.
We both got sandwiches and I got a London Fog to drink. There were many other things that piqued my interest: nachos (!), pumpkin pie, hummus, soup. Their menu changes for the autumn/winter seasons and then again for spring and summer. There is also brunch (the menu changes weekly), catering… it’s a wonder cafe!
The brunch menu is taped up, but also updated online. They will be having a Valentines Day brunch as well.
My London Fog came out quickly and was, hands down, one of the best I have ever had. Along with a nutmeg-y sugar blend, there were curls of orange peel on top of the rich foam, adding a citrus brightness to the creamy tea blend. I do regret not getting a latte though; their latte art is beautiful and their beans are from Transcend.
Grilled pumpkin feta pesto spinach panini. The pumpkin was odd, but amazing. It just worked. My brother got chicken brie. He found the brie a bit sloppy and gooey, but otherwise the sandwich was delicious.
While we visited midday, they are open for dinner as well and are licensed. They had a posting for a short story slam, and while normally I might scoff at such things, I thought it was a good idea for a great space.
I will definitely be back, maybe as soon as for Valentines Day brunch.
Lunch for two with two drinks was about $22, and on my brother. Thanks Tory!
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Cafe Haven
9 Sioux Road
Sherwood Park
Mon – Fri 8am – 9pm
Sat 9am – 6pm
Sun 10am – 4pm
oh. And just for fun…
bubble hems are not for me. 
Will it happen in vegas?
Mmmmm, I’ve never had pumpkin on a sandwich! I think of it more as a desserty or quickbready fruit.
That wedding dress is very… bubbly. Like something a 1984 Olympic figure skater would wear on her big day. “I TRIPLE-AXEL do!”
32-p: Pumpkin in a sandwich is very filling and super healthy in a beta-carotene way. I will definitely experiment with this.
And your figure skating analogy is very apropos for my (athletic) background.
H.Peter: Does the short wedding dress give any clues to the location?
You look adorable in a bubble hem! With legs like that, short works! Tell us more!
Das ist EXCITING!!
that sandwich looks delish!
I am planning my vegas wedding as well – any tips you care to share?? I dont know anyone else who has done it this way so Im kind of on my own!
Could not handle living in Sherwood Park without this place!
Good review, and great dress!
Ha… wonderful to bump into your site. I just googled Cafe Haven to remind myself what time they open on Sundays. Hubby and I are heading out there on this fine wintery day.
Isn’t that place wonderful? Right now I’m into the Moccachinos (sp?)… a perfect marriage of chocolate and coffee, in my view.
Enjoyed my visit here… and the pic of your ‘bubble’ experience. Agree with the idea of it being a great figure skating do.
Best to you……