Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Sun-Stained Afternoons (and Yoga) at Nelson the Seagull, in Vancouver

Search

Sun-Stained Afternoons (and Yoga) at Nelson the Seagull, in Vancouver

August 27, 2014

Remember life before the Internet? Long afternoons loitering outdoors, indoors, and over extended meals, when it felt like there was just more time available. Three siblings from South Africa were looking to re-create that feeling when they opened Nelson the Seagull, in Gastown, Vancouver. “We wanted to make a space where every meal feels like a lazy summer day spent with friends, leisurely snacking on simple but delicious food,” owner Jodie Balfour says.

Jodie and his brother and sister, Jonathan and Lee, serve up organic food, freshly baked bread, and coffee. Their coffee credo is, “No destroyed decaf coffee,” and their name references Dawn & Des Lindbergh’s 1971 cover of Peter E. Bennett’s song “The Seagull’s Name Was Nelson,” written during Nelson Mandela’s 27 years in prison and a reminder of their home country. Another reason to take time out of your day? Instructor Ally Mazerolle teaches yoga at Nelson on Monday and Wednesday evenings followed by an organic meal, all for CA $25 (approximately $23).

Nelson the Seagull Storefront

Above: Nelson the Seagull is located at 315 Carrall Street, in Vancouver’s Gastown neighborhood. Photograph via Follow Me Foodie
Nelson the seagull 135

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 4

Above: The Balfours worked with designer Zoí« Pawlak, who preserved the building’s original mosaic floors and filled gaps with buffed and polished cement. Photograph by Natsumi of Sokokashiko

Nelson the Seagull Jess in Vancouver

Above: A multidrawer sideboard and a table surrounded by vintage Tolix Marais A Chairs. Photograph via Jess in Vancouver.

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 6

Above: South African flora on display in eclectic glass vases: leaves pulled from banksia plants and pincushion protea. Photograph by Natsumi of Sokokashiko

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 7

Above: Bunting and the menu board. (See Festive Bunting for 10 options.) Photograph by Natsumi of Sokokashiko.

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 8

Above: Nelson the Seagull’s ornithological theme carries over onto the coffee cups. Photograph by Natsumi of Sokokashiko.

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 9

Above: Behind the counter, a wall featuring Nelson Mandela as a young boxer. Photograph by Mia Hansen.

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 10

Above: Natural light is supplemented by amber pendant lights. Photograph by Mia Hansen.

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 11

Above: Dried thistle branches. Photograph via Smoky Sweet.

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 12

Above: The cafe is, in the Balfours’ words, “about sun-stained afternoons and the best espresso we can pull.” Photograph via Singularis.

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 13

Above: A hearty loaf of bread made for a pop-up supper with Pick & Sprout. Photograph via Scout Magazine in Canada.

SunStained Afternoons and Yoga at Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver portrait 14

Above: Lounge sofas and a rough palette table on wheels. Photograph by Vincent Lee for designer Zoí« Pawlak.

The cafe is in Vancouver’s Gastown. For more, visit Nelson the Seagull and read about the cafe in Scout Magazine

View Larger Map

For three other Vancouver restaurant finds, see Marche St. George, Bestie Currywurst, and Bao Bei Brasserie. And between meals, browse at the Old Faithful Shop.

(Visited 363 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Product summary  

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0