Vij's: Elegant and Inspired Indian Cuisine
It’s critically acclaimed as one of the finest and best Indian restaurants in the world. That’s a bold statement and I would hesitate to say anything like that unless I’ve tried every single Indian restaurant in the world. On the other hand, narrowing it down in the context of Vancouver, I would say that it is one of the best there is and if you’re looking for a fine dining Indian restaurant then look no further.
There are a few predictable reactions when you hear the name “Vij’s” and I’m referring to the restaurant, not the owner. First is probably “how long did you wait?”, or at least some reference to waiting, followed by “it’s the best place for Indian food” or “it’s overrated and overpriced”. I can see why people think all of the above and here’s why.
The line up at Vij’s is one of the most notorious in Vancouver and it has maintained this line up for years, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait at least 2+ hours before being seated. It opens at 5:30pm, but people start lining up at 5pm or earlier. As a local I hate line ups, but as a tourist I am willing to wait. It’s a different mind set, but if I’m prepared and the wait is made enjoyable (which means I’m with good people and there are things to munch on), and the food is said incredible, then I am more inclined to be patient. If for some magical reason your wait is 45 minutes of less, then Vij’s is definitely worth it, and if you don’t think so I will gladly take your spot.
I have to give credit that Vij’s does make the wait more enjoyable as customers are given complimentary Indian appetizers in the lounge at the back. On the other hand, a 2 hour wait is a really long time no matter how you look at it, and you end up ordering drinks and perhaps spending more than you intended. If you’re not the type that likes dinner to be a 4 hour occasion then most likely you’ll be pretty grumpy by the time you sit down, and you may have already filled up on the pre-appetizers.
I’m just telling you the system so you won’t be surprised or disappointed. You have to see the line up as part of the “experience” or you may think it’s overrated and overpriced. I think it’s worth it if you include all the generous appetizers, quality of food, ambiance and service, but whether it’s worth the 2 hour wait is the real question.
Vij’s offers authentic Indian cuisine made with traditional techniques, local, and at times organic ingredients. The menu doesn’t read traditional Indian at all and the clientele is predominantly non-Indian too, so the first things that come to mind are “non-authentic”even thought that’s not really the case. It’s Indian food presented in a modern light with a couple fusion dishes here and there, but for the most part, it’s true to authentic Indian flavours.
It is fine dining Indian cuisine and they use high quality ingredients so the prices are a bit expected. The spices, cheese, yogurt and ghee are home made on a daily basis so there’s a lot of time and energy going into the food. This goes for some other Indian restaurants in Metro Vancouver as well, but the use of local and organic ingredients is more rare to see at Indian establishments.
If you’re looking for good Indian food at an affordable price then you can certainly find it elsewhere, but the quality of ingredients might not be as high. On the other hand you may also want to consider visiting Rangoli, which is Vij’s more casual and affordable sister restaurant next door.
I’m actually quite satisfied with our Indian cuisine in Metro Vancouver, specifically in Surrey, but the problem I have is that most of the time it all tastes the same and it shouldn’t. In addition, it is also bothersome to see it either swimming in cream, overcooked or watered down, which is unrepresentable of home cooked Indian food.
At Vij’s it actually doesn’t all taste the same and it is closer to home cooked Indian flavours. The method of preparation is traditional, but the style is more gourmet than what most Indian people would be making at home everyday, so in a way it’s not exactly “authentic”, but at times even better. The flavours aren’t sacrificed but almost re-introduced with a couple modern twists, or just better ingredients. The presentation caters to a Western clientele and Vij’s does Indian food justice while giving it a broader appeal.