La Tropiqua

Back in February I got the opportunity the check out this great place with Unilocal’s Fit Club!
I participated in the yoga class and stayed for lunch and a coffee while I chatted with our class mates, fellow Unilocalers, some new friends and the owner.
What a great idea for a business! Good for your mind and body, inside and out! With a Yoga studio upstairs, nail salon and massage parlour on the second level as well, and a cut and blow out bar downstairs along with a café!
I participated in the Yoga class taught by Cathy, one of the regular instructors. Very nice class. Was very crowded, but we each had enough space to stretch.
After our class we all congregated in the lounge area for a bite to eat and some socializing.
The Pear and Brie panini was to die for, with bits of apple mixed in for a very fresh crunch in your sandwich, the coffee was fantastic as well!
I’m set to go back in a few weeks for another group class! If I lived closer I would definitely be a regular here!

La Tropiqua is a great place to relax and recharge. The idea of taking care of yourself inside and out is a great idea! They offer spa services, great food and yoga classes. It’s a great day away. I participated in a yoga class. The class was well run although our class had a few too many people in it and it was a bit cramped. The instructor did a good job of not choosing too many poses which would have us bumping into our neighbours. My only critique is that the walls between the area for yoga and the spa are a little too thin — you can hear all of the conversations going on while practicing yoga.
The little café at the ground floor is great. They serve great tasting food and the smoothies are very well made! The kale smoothie is exceptionally good.
All-​in-​all it’s a relaxing visit!

I attended a Unilocal Event that was held here today and I had a great time. We started with a yoga class upstairs and then had a lunch in their café downstairs. They also had spa services available (massages, manicures, pedicures, etc.) but I didn’t have any of those services.
It was my first time doing yoga ever (!). The instructor was Kathy and she was great. She called the class a Yin and Yang class. We started with some breathing exercises and then progressed to stretching exercises. Except for some of the balancing poses (when I fell over quite a bit), this newbie was able to follow along just fine. The room that the yoga class was held in was small which gave it a more intimate feel (as opposed to classes in large gyms). My only complaint is that the walls are not very soundproof and we could hear people talking in adjacent rooms (I think that’s where the spa services were). This spoiled the mood a little bit.
For lunch I had the jerk chicken wrap combo (wraps alone are about $ 7 – 8) and the combos include a side salad and a coffee or tea (combos are about $ 11 – 12). The jerk chicken wrap was amazing. The chicken was slightly spicy and there were chopped up Granny Smith apples and pineapples in the wrap, and spinach too, all wrapped up in a whole wheat tortilla. The side salad was fresh spinach leaves with pineapples, walnuts and purple onions. The dressing (which came on the side) was a light vinaigrette. The food was awesome. I forgot about the coffee or tea, so I didn’t have any, but I did get a kale smoothie (about $ 6) which was delicious. It was thick and full of kale, pineapple and coconut water (I believe those were the ingredients). Oh and when you ask for water it’s fruit infused, my glass had blueberries and orange slices floating in it. This gave the water a nice subtle flavour as well as making it look pretty.
I wasn’t going to get any dessert, but when I saw someone else have some, I couldn’t resist. The desserts are pre-​packaged in plastic wrap, but will they unwrap it and plate it for you. I had a lemon square (about $ 4) and they plated it for me and drizzled raspberry, chocolate and caramel syrup on it. The square was ok, but tasted a little bit off (like the flour or butter used was slightly rancid).
All the staff are incredibly nice and the place is clean and modern looking.
I would definitely come back to the café for lunch. The wrap and salad were delicious and tasted very healthy. The yoga class was great but I am undecided whether yoga is for me or not. If you like yoga though, why not try a class here? Then stay for lunch!
This place is in Wellington West (next to the Wonton House). Street parking only (no parking lot).

Feeling a bit down this time of year? This new Wellington West business can fix you up in all kinds of ways. The first floor of the building is their warm and welcoming café, serving up a small but delicious selection of sandwiches, baked goods, smoothies and fantastic loose leaf teas. Head up the stairs and you find a full spa with facials, waxing, massage, manicures, pedicures and more. Just past that you’ll find yet another amazing space — their yoga studio!
While I was in, I only sampled the goods of their café, so I’m giving five stars for the food and the service. I have yet to try to spa services or the yoga, but the prices are incredibly reasonable, and they have a great variety of yoga classes (including one for kids!).
While in the café, which feels like an oasis from the crappy winter weather, I tried the pear and Brie sandwich and the mixed berry tea. Both were absolute perfection. The sandwich was slightly grilled, and the pear and Brie combo with a bit of arugula was simple but delicious. The tea, served in a cute little tea pot, was fantastic.
The café has plenty of seating, a little fireplace, and a feeling of warmth. The lovely lady serving me was super friendly and pleasant, and offered to give me a tour of the building so I could check out the spa and yoga space.
This place is meant to soothe your body and soul, both inside and out. The spaces are all lovely and calming, and I can’t wait to come back for some yoga followed up with a yummy snack. And obviously, the spa is calling my name…