Vij's Restaurant, Vancouver

Average food,Servers are very very RUDE! FOOD WAS NICE CHEFS WERE VERY COURTIOUS AND NICE, NOT MUCH SELECTION , DISHES ARE PRICY...THATS NOT A PROBLEM. BUT THE HOSTESS STEPHANIE HAS AN EXTREMELY BAD ATTITUDE Average food,Servers are very very RUDE! FOOD WAS NICE CHEFS WERE VERY COURTIOUS AND NICE, NOT MUCH SELECTION , DISHES ARE PRICY...THATS NOT A PROBLEM. BUT THE HOSTESS STEPHANIE HAS AN EXTREMELY BAD ATTITUDE

I didn't mind not having a reservation as the hostess was gracious and attentive even though the place was packed. The "show" in the kitchen was unbelievable, the word choreographed comes to mind. Then there was the food, I have never appreciated Indian cuisine until now!! Yes I will return. My son-in-law is a chef and yes "this is the place where chefs would eat" and do, as you say in your review.

We were here with a friend, a Canadian of Indian descent. We asked for whatever the chef thought would be best. It was fabulous. The French fries they served in the bar for those waiting to be seated were spectacular, spicy and crunchy, would love the recipe.

Vij doesn't take reservations, but then he really doesn't have to: There's a line outside his door every single night. Patrons huddled under Vij's violet neon sign are treated to complimentary tea and papadums (a thin bread made from lentils). Inside, the decor is as warm and subtle as the seasonings, which are all roasted and ground by hand, then used with studied delicacy. The menu changes monthly, though some of the more popular entrees remain constants. I had the Prawns in the Mango sauce and It was a perfect combination of flavos a must have appitizer. As for the meal I love every single dish on the menu so just go with what sounds good at the time and I am sure you will find out why vijs is the best in vancouver.

Vij's surpasses its high reputation. Food and service are both stellar. What they're doing with the food is extremely sophisticated; it's not overdressed nonsense, like what's found at Bobby Flay's tourist joints. This is food for people who can tell when the cooking is Punjabi versus Bengali versus Goa-style, and who will recognize the adventure being served to them. Detailed review: Doors open at 5:30; we arrived at 5:15. The line was already huge; the last table was filled by the party four ahead of us. We were directed to the tiny lounge to put our name on the wait list and have a drink. The lounge doesn't offer appetizers, but they thoughtfully brought around trays of munchies to keep the waiting diners from getting cranky. Simple but delicious. We got our table at 6:45. To start, we ordered samosas and curry-stewed jackfruit. Both were delicious. The samosas were expertly made, the meat stuffing flavorful and lightly fluffy; the jackfruit was fascinating, a deeply layered flavor. Both had exactly the right amount of spicy heat. For entrees, we got the shortribs (beef, in a cinnamon-and-curry red-wine braise, plus gently cooked kale), and the sablefish (marinated, quickly grilled, with asparagus and grilled zucchini, over a reduced-mango curry). The shortribs were as good as any I've had anywhere. The sablefish was perfectly cooked, moist, flaky, and flavorful. And the mango sauce was one of the most spectacular things I've ever tasted, with deep layers of flavor. First a sweetly pungent aroma; on the tongue, a burst of spicy curry; then the sweet mango counterpoint sneaks in; then the curry spices present themselves, a chorus of individual voices; then everything combines in your mouth and the aroma returns. I almost cried: each bite was a tiny little orgasm of flavor. By the third bite, I was wishing for a bathtub of the stuff, so I could submerge myself in it. For dessert, we opted for a small selection of spiced chocolates made by a local candy artisan. Chocolate + garam masala = my new favorite twist on dessert, and soon a subject for experimentation in my own kitchen. What really made the night was the phenomenal service. Vikram Vij himself greeted guests at the door, and circulated on the floor, taking orders, supervising staff, monitoring both kitchen and lounge. Nothing missed his eye. Passing our table, he saw we had neglected the kale alongside the shortribs, and encouraged us, with charming pride, to try them. He also played busboy, refilling my companion's water glass from the carafe on the table. The regular wait staff was equally professional, present and available, but with a light, unoppressive touch. Truly a first-class operation. When diners were finished, Vij made a point of saying goodbye. As we stood and gathered our coats, Vij bustled over and asked us how we enjoyed the meal. We were effusively complimentary, which he accepted with grace and humility. Highly recommended for the right sort of foodie. If you're a rube, pass.

Imagine finding short ribs of beef on an Indian menu...this is the kind of inventive cuisine ViJ brings to his charming and intimate restaurant. The short ribs are seasoned with Indian spices to stay true to their roots and the taste is sublime. From the food to the decor, this is unlike any other Indian restaurant you've ever been to. There is actually a school of thought that says that this place is second only to certain London restaurants for Indian food.

We waited a very long time in line. Unfortunately we were too far behind in the line to get a seat for the first sitting. What was very dissappointing was that the poeple behind us had actually made a reservation and were seated eventhough they waited less time than us. (they obviously knew someone who worked at Vijs) If there are no reservations then the policy should consistant.

Some of the other reviews may say other things about how great this food was, however i went with my family but only to discover that our service was terrible. What we recieved was cold food and terrible service. Out of ten, i would have to give this place a .5/10! There you go Mr. Vij, the food was terrible and you did nothing to help make our stay more enjoyable. We will never go back, and I suggest you never go!

Me & my husband didn't like the restaurant at all. It was a small restaurant with lots of people. Lights were too dim. Most of the people had to stand and wait for more than an hour to get their turns to dining. There was no parking available, so had to park 2 blocks away. The food was not good also, I am from India so I know how Indian food tastes like, and the food there was no where close. As we were not able to finish all food, we got it packed, but next day when we ate the food, my husband found a piece of glass in the food, were they trying to kill their customer or something? I will never go to that restaurant and not recommend anyone to go there as well.

I have never been to a restaurant where the fodd was packed with so much flavor and every bite was meant to be savoured and remembered. It is a good enough reason to relocate to Vancouver. Finally an Indian restaurant that is original. Tabla in New York is the only other restaurant in North America that comes close as far as Indian restaurants go. But comparing it to an Indian restaurant is doing Vij's injustice. If this were in Cambridge I am sure it would rival Dali when it comes to the wait.