In a flurry of smiles, brewed coffee, and delectable pastry arrangements, the Duo Cafe Bakery at Inn at Laurel Point officially opened its doors on Thursday, February 1st!
This addition to the renowned hotel has already delighted both guests and the surrounding local community—conveniently located within walking distance of James Bay and Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Duo Cafe Bakery is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day and serves a series of mouthwatering baked treats, lunch items, and expertly crafted beverages.
The space itself underwent a wonderful transformation, as it was only a tiny quick grab-and-go coffee cutout before, and now it’s an warmly curated room with expert finesse and consideration in every detail.
In an interview with Victoria Buzz, Kimberley Vy, the Inn at Laurel Point’s Pastry Chef, said they’re one of the few cafes that still do all of their lamination by hand—which is the process of folding and rolling butter into dough over and over again to create super-thin layers.
“There’s only a handful of bakeries that still make croissants from scratch, and we’re one of them,”Vy added.
She also shared that the majority of what they make is curated with an Asian-inspired flavour or fusion, as the masterminds behind the delicious food, including Kimberley, have ties to Asia and love to bring out those essences into her work.
“I also love to focus on artistic aesthetics, that’s something I really pride myself on and I’m thrilled to present that.”
When asked if she has any favourites, she quickly listed the Cheddar Bacon Scone being one she’s most proud of—Victoria Buzz had the pleasure of sampling it, and can see why.
“I picture all the dads going crazy for it, it’s super salty and is super crunchy as well,” Vy laughed.
“The dessert I’d like to highlight—I think it’s quite slept on—is the blackcurrant blueberry scone. It’s unassuming, but it’s not like a regular scone. It has a crème de cassis glaze on it so it seals the moisture in.”
Crème de cassis is a blackcurrant liqueur, which the dried blueberries in the middle are also soaked in.
Vy said that she’s so excited to be working with such a great team and wouldn’t be able to bring her visions to life without them.
Everything is made from scratch in-house—including their Karak chai, butter, gianduja (a hazelnut paste), and bread dough—so you know you’re getting the highest quality goods every time.
“Quality ingredients with a focus on local,” said Ian Daly, a Baker at Inn at Laurel Point.
Some of their lunch items include a Smoked Albacore Tuna Sandwich, Soup of the Day, and a Braised Beef Sandwich.
Specialty coffee items include a Smoked Butterscotch Latte and their housemade Karak Chai Latte, as well as the Daily Duo—a pairing exclusive to the new cafe.
Not only is Duo Cafe Bakery centred around quality, it also mirrors Inn at Laurel Point’s commitment to sustainability by offering compostable to-go packaging, a loyalty program for regular patrons, and various other initiatives that ensure guilt-free indulgence.
“We’re excited to open the doors of Duo Cafe Bakery to all our guests,” said Eda Koot, general manager of Inn and Laurel Point.
“Duo pays tribute to our dynamic duo Paul and Artie Arsens, founders of Inn and Laurel Point. It’s about honouring their beautiful legacy to Victoria while innovating and bringing new experiences to our guests, neighbors, and team.”
So, just like Paul and Artie Arsens’ practices and values, everything is created and served with intention and love!
Inn at Laurel Point has unparalleled views of the city’s Inner Harbour and the breathtaking surroundings of the city. They have 200 water and garden view rooms and award-winning dining options that create a rare retreat right in the heart of Victoria.
Plus, it’s the first-carbon neutral hotel in British Columbia!
Head down and say hello!
Duo Cafe Bakery
- Where: 680 Montreal Street
- When: Open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
