Met my old friend Amanda for brunch today at Cafe Medina on Beatty, which opened while I was in London and that I had yet to try, despite living a block away. It's one of those places that usually has a horde of people waiting outside, which I tend to try and avoid (I'm becoming my father, who can't even stand a five minute wait), but Amanda insisted it was worth it and as we hadn't seen each other in months, we had enough to chat about that the thirty (!) minute wait in the rain (!) went by rather quickly.

The place is small but cozy, with warm red exposed brick walls and shiny wood-formica tables and a (real) wooden bar dwarfed by a gargantuan espresso machine and waffle maker. Amanda and I started with great coffee - I had a lavender latte which was delicious - a little hard to explain how it tasted - coffee and flowers is an interesting mix. I have a feeling I'll be trying to recreate it at home for some time to come. Weirdly, it was served in a regular glass tumbler which was hard to pick up because it was so hot...Amanda's raspberry latte was served in a regular mug. We were confused.

We decided to each have one of the $3 waffles that are a big feature of Medina's menu - basic mini-belgian waffles which you can get with any variety of side accompaniments for $1 each. I chose raspberry caramel and Amanda chose traditional maple, although she said she usually goes for the lavender milk chocolate. The waffles were just the right size to be a satisfying sweet start to our brunch, dusted in powdered sugar, with a small dish of our "sweet" on the side. We then split a Paella - which I have to admit I wasn't really that interested in but agreed to split because Amanda wanted it - but it was absolutely delicious. It came served in a cast-iron skillet and featured an egg baked with curried orzo, chorizo sausage, red pepper, roasted corn, baby tomatoes and avocado. It was garnished with parmesan cheese and fresh watercress. It was fresh and light, despite the orzo and sausage, and was just the right amount for two to share. The avocado was warm but not mushy, the tomatoes added just a little tartness - we found we were scraping the skillet, it was so good.

I don't know that I'd want to want to go back with anything larger than a party of two, given how cramped the tables are, but the food was definitely worth the wait. It's rare to walk out of a brunch place without feeling so stuffed that you have to lie down, but we both felt we'd had just enough to feel satisfied - and at $30 for the two of us - well, my budget was satisfied too. And now I'm going to go and have a nap - not because I HAVE to, mind - but what else does one do on a rainy Sunday?

Cafe Medina: Don't be fooled - the place was packed.