Vancouver, it’s time to get excited. Mishmish, a new Middle Eastern-inspired bakery and cafe, is officially opening this week.
Set to open at Fraser Street & 19th Avenue in the new Comma Properties development, Mishmish is part bakery, part bagel shop, and part coffee shop.
This concept comes to us from a dream team consisting of Dallah (chef and owner of Superbaba) and baking and pastry experts Leah Christ and Marysol Lopez.
The trio has been working behind the scenes at Superbaba for the last few years, and they’ve had several sold-out pop-ups selling boxes of Middle Eastern sweets and bread such as baklava and their signature Kaak Bagels.
Hanna McLean/Daily Hive
Hanna McLean/Daily Hive
Hanna McLean/Daily Hive
“At its core Mishmish is still Middle Eastern but we’ve started to use the term third culture more as it feels like it’s the easiest way to explain the merging, and celebration of the tastes and traditions of our joint backgrounds, that’s turned the concept into what it is today,” explains Dallah.
We will be frank and tell you that everything we tasted during our sneak peek was exceptional — but there’s something about those bagels.
Veg Platter (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Labneh with Harissa Hot Honey (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Mishmish’s Kaak Bagel is solid on its own, but when served with the Labneh with Harissa Hot Honey… it’s beyond drool-worthy. We found ourselves craving this combo as soon as we left the premises if that tells you anything.
The bagels are also available on a Veg Platter complete with Labneh, Za’atar & Oil, tomato, cucumber, and mint.
Muhammara is also a nice option to pair with your bagel.
Muhammara (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Kaak Bagel (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Mishmish focuses on modern and traditional bread, along with pastries and sweets from across the Middle East.
Pastries like the Osmalieh, layered kataifi dough with ashta and a floral syrup, are truly hard to resist.
Osmalieh (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Ka’ak Cookies (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
The Mishmish Bar (frangipane, apricots, and cardamom cinnamon crumble) and Concha, a delicious Mexican sweetbread, are both must-tries. Do not sleep on the glorious Banana Bread Pudding, either.
For sips, there will be a great selection available for order. Think espresso-based drinks, batch brew, Karak Milk Tea, Moroccan-style mint tea, and some exciting in-house specialties.
Mishmish Bar (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Concha (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Cappuccino (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Banana Bread Pudding (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Mishmish’s interior was designed by Shawn Rassekh of RAAF Projects and built by Mercury Contracting.
The space offers a minimalist, airy aesthetic with touches of classic Middle Eastern design elements and greenery, which makes it equally as cozy as it is stylish.
“We hope that Mishmish will showcase how food can evolve, blending flavours and techniques harmoniously. While we deeply respect the tradition at the core of each recipe we’ve crafted a menu that is both unique and deeply nostalgic,” adds Leah Christ.
Mishmish is slated to officially open to the public on June 13. Be sure to stop by and welcome the concept to the neighbourhood.
Hanna McLean/Daily Hive
Hanna McLean/Daily Hive
Address: 3485 Fraser Street, Vancouver