Banette — Restaurant in Brow of the Hill

Amazing experience today at Banette! The orange colour scheme was fitting as it was Truth and Reconciliation Day. We arrived around 8:40 AM. We expected after reading some reviews that it would be packed, but we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived and we were the only other table in the place. We sat at the window. We got nice, informative, quality service promptly. The person who I believe to be, the owner explained that they used organic house made items. They cook all their bread in house and specialize in slow cooked meats, which are cooked for 24 hours for tenderness. She then directed our attention to the most popular items and explained the menu. We ordered cappuccino and Canadiano. The waitress offered to sprinkle my cappuccino with cinnamon or cacao, and when it arrived, it had a very full and fluffy peak of milk foam. We chose to order the pulled pork bliss brunch and added on two poached eggs with hollandaise. We also ordered the jambon-beurre sandwich. The food arrived quickly. The presentation for the pulled pork was phenomenal (see photo). The pork was not too sweet and did not have any weird cartilage or fat bits. This is usually what turns me off of this type of dish, but my partner loves pulled pork. The dish was nicely, balanced with pineapple and other fruits and a bit of vegetables on the side. The pork was between house made bread and was hard for me to stop eating surprisingly (as I don’t like pulled pork much). The ham sandwich took me by surprise. I came in craving a ham benny, which they didn’t have. When I asked about it, she told me I could switch out a protein on one of the other bennies to make it a ham benny but also pointed me in the direction of the sandwich. I’m really happy I chose this dish. It sounded funky when she explained to me that it had slabs of butter on it but I was really craving the ham so I went for it. I don’t think I could’ve eaten it faster. It was so good. I think it had some kind of dill cream sauce as well and possibly either green onion or celery for a little bit of crunch. It was almost melt in your mouth with the type of ham it was (no toughness at all) mixed with the butter and cream sauce. The bread was really soft. They also had a nice selection of pastries at the till including Portuguese egg tarts croissants etc. I can’t wait to go back and try the other items :) I don’t rate things often, and I am a really tough critic with 20 years of restaurant experience under my belt. This place...

I had the pleasure of dining at Banette recently, and I can confidently say this gem is a must-visit in New Westminster!

Food: The dishes were beautifully plated, and the portion sizes were generous. I ordered the Pulled Pork Bliss Brunch, and it was absolutely divine. The pulled pork was tender, well-seasoned, and perfectly balanced by a touch of sweetness from the pineapple. I enjoyed making an open sandwich with it, which was delicious, and the fresh berries on the side were a thoughtful and tasty touch—both visually appealing and a lovely contrast to the savory pork. My friends ordered the Salmon Sunrise Benedict and the Atlantic Delight. Both dishes were outstanding. The salmon was perfectly moist and flaky, and the eggs were cooked just right, with that runny yolk that made for a rich, natural sauce. The Atlantic Delight, similar to the benedict, had a delightful combination of flavors, and the addition of bacon provided the perfect contrast to the salmon’s delicate texture. All dishes came with soft brioche buns, which I would recommend toasting a little more for a crunchy texture—this would elevate the meal further, especially when paired with the tender meats and rich eggs.

Atmosphere: The vibe at Banette is bright, warm, and inviting—perfect for a relaxing brunch. The bakery section by the window is a clever touch that draws you in and lets you gaze at the freshly baked goods. The space is cozy, which means it’s ideal for smaller groups (6 people or fewer), but it can get a bit tight with larger parties. Nonetheless, they’ve made excellent use of the space available. It’s a great spot for brunch with friends, family, or kids, and the perfect place to grab a coffee and pastry if you're looking for some peaceful alone time or a cute date spot.

Service: Jenny, the owner, was incredibly sweet and welcoming. She went out of her way to make sure we had a wonderful experience. When one of my friends was waiting a little longer for his order, Jenny kindly offered a croissant on the house. It’s clear she values feedback and customer connection—especially since they just opened this month—and we really appreciated her warm, friendly service. Her smile truly added to the overall experience.

Overall: We will definitely be returning to Banette! It's a fantastic spot to support local and enjoy great food, wonderful service, and a cozy atmosphere. Highly recommend this place to anyone in the area!

Let’s support local...

My wife and I craved for some pastry for breakfast one morning after an early morning workout, I then searched for bakery close to us and found this place. We are in rush so I dropped my wife off to grab some pastries then went on our way to work. We tried the pastry and its so good! You get the qualities of a good pastry, crispy outside layer, soft and fluffy on the inside, filling is sweet yet not too sweet, good balance of pastry to filling ratio, fruit toppings are also on point as you still get the natural fruit flavor and not like it was just dipped in syrup.

So we went back. We came in as soon as they opened, as we’re already out early and was walking around the area.

The owner greeted us, as she stocks the cabinets with fresh pastries. Turns out they also serves meals and not just baked goods. My wife and I got enticed, so a run to get pastries turned into us having a full meal. Owner was very nice and warm while introducing the menu. We picked what she recommended.

The dish was posh! Delicious and well made! Reminded me of fine dining and gorgeous plating. Chicken breast on my meal was soft and juicy, with savory sauce, salad was served in a delicious vinaigrette, and fruits compliments dish and incorporated, not treated as a side. Dish portion is also just enough, i was full but not “full-full”. We also grabbed pastries for the road.

We spent just a bit over $80(tax and tip included) for 2 person and pastries. A slightly higher $ than its competitors(ie. La Foret).Pricey but we did feel it was justified based on our experience. Delicious, beautiful dish. Great service and atmosphere, and one of the best pastry around this area. We could frequent the baked goods, but doing brunch would be a treat every once in a while.

I highly...