Jun. 21, 2011 - Issue #818: Brian Wilson
No ordinary Sequel
Downtown café revels in eclecticism
"We like downtown," Kuysters says. "It's a part of Edmonton, and it's thriving during the day."
"When you come down here you want to feel like you're part of something, and you want to be where the people are," Meunier continues. "We get such a kick out of people—from the suits to the streets, there's always something to see downtown."
Not surprisingly, the duo opened their café kitty-corner from Churchill Square, right by the Arts District. Posters of theatre and opera events decorate the front counter. Many customers in the café come over from the Citadel, the art gallery or the downtown library. Painted in red, purple and blue sections, the walls would certainly appeal to a funky, artistic eye, as do the stool-and-table combos.Downtown also fits into the philosophy behind the restaurant, with its emphasis on a fresh and fast lunch.
As I sip my Americano and sample a curried red lentil soup, I can look right across to Churchill Square. Still, Meunier and Kuysters note that when they opened the café in December, the opening coincided with something Edmontonians easily remember: this winter.
"Our first 50 business days, I think 80 percent of them, the daytime high was -20 or colder," Meunier recalls.
On a day like that, the soup that I'm eating would have been quite welcome. Made with lentils, green cardamom, curry, cilantro, carrots, celery and red peppers, the soup tempts me with its heat and spice, and dares the sky to throw down some snow. I enjoy another spoonful along with coffee. I certainly do not feel cold.
While the Sequel is not exclusively vegetarian, it does offer vegetarian specials; as well, all the soups are vegetarian and celiac-friendly. By offering vegetarian options, the Sequel has made itself a destination for a surprising demographic: a group of vegetarian bike couriers, all from the same company.
"We have vegetarian bike couriers coming in here—I thought I'd never see the day," Meunier says. "A whole raft of vegetarian bike couriers!"
Kuysters adds that they come in the morning, and then again for lunch.
"We're kind of known because of the bike couriers in a way, because you see them coming in and out all the time," she continues.
I admire the colourful menu board where all the selections are spelled out with fridge-magnet letters. The duo has a friend, an antique collector, who spent years collecting these magnet letters; now, Meunier and Kuysters have a big box of them.
After reading the colourful board, I ask how they would describe the restaurant's style.
"I don't know what you'd call it—international?" Meunier says. "I like to tell people I only cook things I'm good at," he laughs.
In the end, though, he observes that food can have a strong effect on a person's mood—a person can be having a bad day, but a good meal can change that completely. Meunier has seen it happen many times.
"You can see a change in the expression on their face," he says.
Shylah Kuysters and Dale Meunier
The Sequel Café
10011 - 102 Ave, 780.425.9210
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