cafe For.Rest — Restaurant in Burnaby

Disappointing Breakfast Experience — Needs Serious Improvement

I understand this is a new business, but unfortunately, we had a very disappointing breakfast here today.

The ham & cheese omelet was one of the smallest I’ve ever been served — it looked more like a child’s portion. It was thin, barely filled the plate, and was made with a paper-thin slices of no-name sandwich ham. The accompanying hash browns were also surprisingly minimal — just a few scattered pieces, when most restaurants typically serve a generous helping. Also, there was no cheese? Or if there was, there was barely any.

Instead of the usual two slices of toast served at breakfast places, I received just one slice cut in half — a plain piece of Wonder Bread-style whole wheat, with no butter or margarine, and only a small dab of jam on the side. There was only a tiny side of ketchup to go with our hash browns. Also no option to choose sourdough or rye bread, just white or brown. The omelet itself had no added vegetables or seasoning, save for a single cherry tomato on top cut in half. There was also no salt/pepper or Tabasco on the tables for being a brunch place.

Honestly, this is something you could easily throw together at home for a fraction of the cost or could have made at a home economics class in high school.

Coming from a family of chefs and having previously owned a few breakfast and diner restaurants, I can say this would not have passed as an acceptable plate even back in the '90s. Potatoes and bread are inexpensive — skimping on those basics doesn’t make sense and hurts the overall value.

The beef bulgogi eggs Benedict was no better. The beef was overly salty, the flavours didn’t complement each other, the English muffin was cheap tasting and it all tasted generic — as if it came from a pre-packaged mix. The hollandaise sauce lacked freshness, had a weird mustard colour and again, the hash browns were scarce. The only redeeming part of the dish was the mixed greens with balsamic dressing. I felt like most of the ingredients were bought at the Wholesale Club with no culinary ingredients whatsoever.

We ended up spending nearly $45 (including a 15% tip), which felt unjustified given the quality and portion sizes. On top of that, you’re required to order and tip at the counter before receiving your food — something that felt unfair after the fact.

There are more places in the Lower Mainland that serve similar dishes for a fraction of the cost (ham & cheese omelet) with bigger portions (Bon's, Tipper, Denny's etc), and another place on E. Hastings (The Green) that serves beef Bulgogi Benny on croissant with mixed greens that is made by the chef/owner who use to work at the Fairmont...

For-Rest Cafe is truly a hidden gem. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by name with warm smiles from the owners themselves, who go above and beyond to ensure you feel welcomed. The ambience is wonderfully relaxed—perfect for meeting friends or getting some work done. The soft, light music provides a laid-back vibe without overpowering conversation, and the free Wi-Fi is fast and reliable, making it a great spot to spend a few productive hours.

My wife swears by their Eggs Benedict, which she claims is the best she’s ever had—particularly thanks to the house-made salad dressing that accompanies it. Our son, on the other hand, can’t get enough of their cruffles, especially the churro flavor. We all agree that the Forest coffee is a must-try.

One of the standout features here is the constantly evolving menu. There’s always something new and innovative to discover, and if you’re into keto-friendly options, their ham omelettes are absolutely worth ordering. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, a mid-day pick-me-up, or just a calm space to relax, For-Rest Cafe offers an experience that makes you feel right at home. It’s rare to find a place so genuine and accommodating—don’t miss out on this...

My brother took me here saying how great the croffles (croissant waffles) were, and he was so right. I loved it so much I ended up having to order a second one. I couldn’t even take a picture I was just so excited to eat them because it was so tasty! I tried the berry croffle and a croffle with caramel and condensed milk. Both are great, but the caramel and condensed milk combo is to die for. Their cafe is not that busy yet, but if you’re reading this review you should definitely go ASAP because I could see their delicious food as something to...