Whisk Matcha Cafe — Restaurant in Vancouver

Well, i really LOVE their trio as a ice cream, desserts and matcha cafe, i really enjoy quality of the matcha and dessert when ice cream is my favourite in vancouver. But i feel than i really need to leave this review if i hoping to see a change. I’m really rare client of this place and reason why is - staff. Since first time i visited this place i didn’t feel nor welcome nor comfortable at all. Every time i visited this place i was hoping “maybe this time they will be more welcome and nice” but i feel like it’s only gets worse. Today it was to the point to write this review. So i came to take a lot of deserts and try a bubble waffle with ice cream. When i started to tell what i would like to order i got a half-dead look as a “what are you doing here”. I just tried to ignore it tho it wasn’t look welcome at all. When he didn’t get clearly what i would like to order he didn’t seem to try solve the problem or recommend me something he just the same half dead face and tone “we serve it with matcha only”(i asked if i could have a twist ice cream in waffle) Ok no problem. I ordered this and i started to order other desserts, he didn’t hear what am i ordering or got confused.. i don’t know honestly but he just was looking at me around 5 second before he said that “we don’t serve any fruit tart” which was literally before me. Ok he finally find the fruit tart, which was in front of me. after what he asked me what i was ordering before because he heard nothing from ~3 my orders. Ok i just repeated it, but problem is not in incompetence, he was really like a person who wants go home or wants me to leave this place to not bother his with any orders. He had this face like, he wasn’t even look tired, it was just dead face. I had no any smile or interest to help me as a client. I work in a service and i know what i’m talking about. When you work in a service you must be interested in your production, your clients and be able to smile at least for 1%. I ordered desserts for 50$ it’s not like i took one cupcake and i wanted to have at least a little smile since i really love your food and for stuff is good if i’ll come back to buy some desserts again (if i enjoy all aspects of service) The final hit was also “dead”-tone, dead face “we are closing in 10min ” while we were talking and eating. It’s really had to explain in a text because it’s really about your tone and voice. Honestly when i need to say it to my guests i feel very sorry for interrupting them and i trying to say it as soft as possible to not make them feel unwelcome. I really have no clue how people like him can work in a SEVICE. If you unable to find ways to talk with people just do not go work in a service. I’m not interested in delivery so only one way is not to visit this place until they change stuff or train people how to work in service and how to make a comfortable atmosphere for guest. Not an atmosphere when you wanna drop your idea to order something in a middle of this order and want to leave as soon as possible. I never had any problem with owners, they really nice when i was able to meet them in the cafe. But stuff 🥲 Please do not consider it as an attack, i really feel that it is time to tell it after i visiting this...

Edit: updated from 3 to 5 stars. The owner reached out and took accountability for the service. While it was a busy weekend, she apologized and I appreciated a business who wanted to make things right. I came back on a weekday morning and had another Ube Bouquet (just as good as the first time) and bought some matcha mochi muffins. They had great texture! The staff was also friendly and helpful at the counter, and the owner (Kimmy) came over to say hi & make sure everything was OK.

Stopped by for the Vancouver Ice Cream Festival for their special festival drinks. We ordered them to go, without the toppings. Ms. Momotaro was as described, with the peach & matcha flavours complimenting each other well. My Ube Bouquet was so delicious and creamy! The ube flavour was very potent. Also picked up some small mochi muffins, which were $1.50 each.

Took off a couple of stars for the service, which was lacklustre. I had a question about the ingredients in the mochi muffins due to dietary restrictions, and the lady at the register was unsure when I asked. She had to check with another staff member, or maybe it was an ingredient list. I know the cafe shares the space with Level V Bakery, but I still feel as if a place that sells/caters to dietary restrictions should know their in-house selection. The main issue was with my drink as I had asked to sub the oat milk for coconut milk. When it was ready, I checked if it had the coconut milk and the lady says "oh, right" and then proceeds to take the drink back, and make a new one. Once I received my new one, there was no apology for the additional wait, and neither staff acknowledged the error on their end. They seemed more concerned with what to do with the drink they made with oat milk, as a few staff actively conversed before deciding to stick it in their fridge. If the Ube Bouquet was a permanent on their menu, I'd return for it alone, but don't expect...

I'm not a matcha Connoisseur, but I thought that it was very delicious. I personally like sweeter drinks in general, but I've enjoyed most of what I've tried. My favourite drink that I have tried so far is the Iced Hojicha Latte, I just love that easy to drink flavour! The Genmaicha latte is also good, with a slightly less sweet(?) but that toasted rice flavour is amazing. Hojicha milkshake is absolutely delicious. Edit: came in for the marshmallow matcha/Hojicha lattes - super enjoyable drink experience!!

I have tried the Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte, after seeing it on Instagram, however I felt that the amount of strawberry is a lot less than was portrayed in their post. Maybe because the take out cups are quite small, but I didn't find the fruit flavour very prominent, it mostly added just a tartness to the bitter matcha, and was not very sweet at all, so was not my taste. Maybe with more berry flavour it would be more delicious to me.

They also make some sandwiches. I have tried the Deluxe. It's good- but I might add some cracked pepper or something with a little kick to this personally, I found that the combo of the cheeze, vegan meat, and ranch were all kinda in that realm of "vegan substitute with oils and undefined flavour" and didn't wow me for the deluxe price. The Crispy sandwich is very good, nice size for the price as well.

Some of these things are just not my personal taste- but I think I will become a regular at this cafe. I will definitely be back to try more menu items, service was always friendly, welcoming, and I really appreciate the safety precautions they are taking with COVID-19 pandemic. As well, they share space with Level V Bakery, but I will write about them another time :) hope this review...