Now, I hate waiting for a table. In fact there seems to be an annoying trend these days where waiting is expected – Cafeteria, L’abbatoir, Nook, and Bao Bei are all surely fabulous restaurants that I haven’t gotten around to trying yet because they don’t take reservations! But I’ll do it for Vij’s. I’m not exactly sure why, but it has to do with your overall experience.

First, everyone waits at Vij’s – no exceptions. Second, you are well taken care of while you wait – split a bottle of wine with friends and catch-up while noshing on the delectable appetizers passed around by Vij’s staff. This is how I became addicted to the cassava fries, which are thankfully are featured in Vji’s first cookbook. Or, put your name down and go for a walk around the South Granville neighbourhood, or catch-up on reading at Chapters. When I go to Vij’s, I am expecting the wait, so I make sure I’m not starving upon arrival, and I only go with people I’m willing to have a long conversation with. This past Friday, we waited close to 3 hours before eating – a lot of talking with friends was done!

And, the wait is worth it. Truly. Here’s what we enjoyed on Friday:

• The appetizers as we waited: hot and crispy pakoras, those addictive cassava fries, rich fried poori bread, and wheat crisps with a refreshing mung bean salad
• Vij’s signature dish: lamb popsicles in a creamy fenugreek curry with spinach and potatoes. Incredibly tender rack of lamb deliciously doused in the creamy sauce. I don’t think this dish ever leaves the menu as it’s too popular
• A subtly spiced mashed eggplant and butternut squash with chapati and a lentil curry
• Marinated salmon pieces atop zucchini slices and a chickpea cake with crisp green beans and a spicy coconut curry. The salmon was so flavourful with the spicy curry
• Unbelievably tender beef short ribs slathered with a luscious yogurt, fenugreek, and cumin curry
• Way too many plates of that delicious naan bread. Mmmm.

The portions are generous, the service professional, and the atmosphere surprising relaxed for such a busy restaurant.

When I’m in the mood to catch up with friends over a long evening of drinks and food, Vij’s is often a great option. It’s built in quality time with friends with the pay-off of a memorable meal. But do expect to wait, or show up really early to get the first sitting at 5:30pm. But who wants to eat that early?! Eat the appetizers, drink some cocktails, and enjoy the Vij’s food experience, wait included.

Vij’s
1480 W. 11th Ave (@Granville)
604-736-6664

Most restaurants are not worth that wait. Some are. Here’s what I think:

WORTH THE LINE UP

Vij’s Restaurant, 1480 W. 11th @ Granville), South Granville ‘hood – I have friends who have never been to Vij’s because they hate the fact they can’t make a reservation and they hate the idea of waiting.

Well, it can suck but at least everyone waits equally. I have mentioned my love for Rangoli before (Vij’s cheaper casual/take-out sister restaurant) and I do go to Rangoli more because it’s an “everyday” place with less waiting. But when I want a night out, Vij’s is perfect. Last time I was at Vij’s, we took a seat outside in the sun, ordered a bottle of wine, and my friends and I chatted while the Vij’s staff passed around lots of yummy appetizers like pakoras or the addictive cassava fries. Our wait was long, like 2 hours (it was Friday night), but it was lovely. And the excellent dinner we ate made me forget about the wait.

That said, if you really want to limit your wait, go on a weekday evening, late. I arrived at 9:30 on a weekday once and waited 15 minutes.

Anton’s Pasta Bar, 4260 Hastings St in Burnaby -Anton’s is totally NOT my place. I find the pasta overcooked, seasoning bland, and it’s pretty much a “whatever” to me. BUT, Anton’s isn’t for me. Anton’s is for people that want big portions and a carb overload, and they deliver. I was expecting big the first them I went, but the portion was double/triple my expectation. It’s big. So if you want big, wait in line with the others. I’ll be at La Buca, Campagnolo, or La Quercia. To each their own!

SOMETIMES WORTH THE LINE UP

The Naam, 2724 W. 4th (@ Stephens), Kitsilano ‘hood -  A 24 hour vegetarian restaurant with a huge menu including burgers, soups, noodle dishes, and salads. The Naam’s miso gravy is so famous they’ve bottled it and is available in many local grocery stores. I can’t say it is worth the line-up most times, but when it’s late at night and your options are fast food, Denny’s, and the Naam…I’m going to the Naam no matter how long the line up is.

NOT WORTH THE LINE UP

Toshi Sushi, 181 E. 16th (@ Main), Mount Pleasant /Main St. ‘hood – I’ve been to Toshi several times and it’s good. Good menu and fresh sushi for a very good price.  But 1 hour lineups? Come on! There are so many good sushi places at a similar price range that I have much better things to do with an hour wait. I have friends that live a block away from Toshi and they don’t go because it’s not worth the line-up. They cannot even order take-out some evenings because the restaurant is too busy (they order from Zipang up the street at Main & 23rd, fyi).  Bottom line: Good sushi, good prices, long wait. Not worth it if you have a long wait.

Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe, 2095 W. 4th Ave (@ Arbutus), Kitsilano ‘hood – Sophie’s is a diner style restaurant, with lots of crazy decor and memorabilia on the wall everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I would not want to dust that place. Food is pretty good. They do lots of diner classics, have a big breakfast menu, and do have very good milkshakes. I can’t pick out a standout item though. Yet there is something about this place that draws the crowds and Sophie’s is famous for its weekend brunch line-ups out the door. I never wait. If you do want to check out Sophie’s, weekdays are line-up free, as are evenings.

Stepho’s Greek Taverna, 1124 Davie St (@ Thurlow), West End ‘hood – I lived in the West End for a few years and I will never, never, never, NEVER understand why people flock to Stepho’s. Let’s think about this. Most people order souvlaki when they go for Greek, right? Ok. At all restaurants you get 2 skewers of meat when you order souvlaki, right? Ok. Stepho’s is known for their big portions for small prices. You STILL only get 2 skewers of meat. So you get a little extra rice and potatos? Big freak’in deal. AT $10.95 a meal, it’s not that much cheaper. Still, I can walk by Stepho’s any day of the week as early at 4:30pm to find a line up of people waiting. I will never get it.