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Vij's Rangoli
Category: Restaurants Indian Indian [Edit]
1488 11th Ave WVancouver, BC V6H 1L1
Neighbourhoods: Fairview Slopes, South Granville
(604) 736-5711
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
123 reviews for Vij's Rangoli
Review Highlights
"Portobello Mushroom and Red Bell Pepper Curry."
(in 8 reviews)
"...the tamarind and yogurt marinated grilled natural chicken."
(in 5 reviews)
"The all-important naan is piping hot, pillow-soft and dense."
(in 51 reviews)
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123 reviews in English
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Review from Allan B.
2/8/2012
Oh man. I love Indian food. And Vij's Rangoli does it right. Being in Vancouver for only one day, my friends and I only had time to eat 2 meals, so after hitting up Japadog, we go to Vij's Rangoli for dinner.
The restaurant is medium sized, and our group of 6 was able to be seated immediately. The ambiance isn't formal, there are freezer-type things much like at 7-11 that contain Vij's frozen delicacies. The food isn't traditional indian, it's definitely a fusion-ish take on indian food, but it works well. I had the tamarind and yogurt marinated grilled natural chicken, and it was amazing. I'm not really much of a chicken type of guy, I consider it at the bottom of the meat pyramid (well behind pork and beef), but man that chicken was flavorful. The naan was great as well. The service was attentive and they take card. Considering I could only have two meals in Vancouver, I left the city feeling very satisfied with my choice. -
Review from Angela L.
2/8/2012
Stopped into Rangoli recently - I was STARVING, and remembering a satisfying meal that I had enjoyed at Rangoli several years ago, I was excited to visit again.
Service was not especially welcoming right from the beginning, bordering on condescending. I heard someone at a nearby table ask about the "Mangalore" beverage (I think it's actually just written as "Mangalore" on the menu, which is obviously vague for those without an encyclopaedic knowledge of food and drink), and the same server started off his response with "I don't really know how to describe it," in the kind of tone that implied that the patron should have already known what exactly Mangalore was before stepping foot in the restaurant. A better response would have been, "Mangalore is an Indian spiced liqueur, which we serve ___________". But I digress.
I had ordered the Portobello Mushroom and Red Bell Pepper Curry the last time I visited, and remembering it as being probably better than what it was, I enthusiastically ordered it again along with a mango lassi. The lassi was very small and pretty standard, especially for $4.50, and the meal, while decently portioned (for an average eater), felt too heavy and unbalanced. There were only a few strips of bell pepper, and the accompanying beets were pretty bland. In addition, prices had increased since the last time I visited to the point where I felt it was over-priced (the entree I ordered was $13.50), especially given that delicious, authentic Indian food can be had for significantly less at other establishments. The chai that I finished off my meal with wasn't as spicy and warming as I wanted, and ultimately, it was an altogether unsatisfying meal.
Tables are really small and close together, to the point where you're nervous about making any sudden motions lest you smack your elbow into another patron or knock the jug of water off your table. Given the snobby service, high prices, and lackluster food, my lovely memories have been coloured to the point where I'd be reluctant to return again. I'd much rather stuff myself with the vegetarian thali at Tandoori Kona, served up spicy with plenty of naan. -
Review from Melody M.
1/21/2012
Living in Vancouver all my life and constantly hearing great reviews from friends and family about Rangoli's, I decided to try this place out. I love their take out food.
There are vegetarian and non-vegetarian packaged meals from $9 to $11 dollars. Yeah, the portions are only small, but the taste is unbelievable. Some of my favourites include the chicken masala, saag and paneer, curried kale and potatoes. The naan was incredibly flavourful and went well with the mint mango chutney.
I can't wait to come back and brave the line up to try Vij's, if not, there is also take-out at Rangoli's. :) -
Review from Daren D.
1/15/2012 1 photo
Great food...
...boozie chai!
That was all...
...srsly. -
Review from David S.
Surrey, BC
2/6/2012
Stopped by and picked up a to go dish from the "market" inside - tried the Punjabi lamb curry and it was pretty good (Vij's still my favorite restaurant) but for a decent price and quick/easy prep at home it's a good substitute.
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Review from Megan S.
Vancouver, BC
12/20/2011
Ehhh...am I missing something here? Or perhaps this place just isn't my style...I dunno, but I was far from impressed with my meal here last night.
I had been told by a friend that this place has loads of vegan dishes, so I wouldn't have a problem finding something without dairy. That's not exactly true - they do have a couple of vegan options, but absolutely everything else is dairy-laden. They don't serve a single meat dish that doesn't contain also cream - not even the ones that claim to be a coconut curry (yes, there's a bit of coconut milk, but also loads of heavy cream). Plus, all the vegan cream-free dishes are quite spicy, so if you like a milder heat without animal products, this place isn't for you.
With the server's help, I finally settled on the potato, kale and jackfruit curry, as she said it was one of the milder cream-free dishes. The spice level was OK for me, but the curry completely lacked complexity and depth of flavour. It didn't taste much different from those pre-packaged Patak's curries that I used to buy before I learned how to cook. The chapati was also pretty bad - very soggy and greasy. The rice was easily the best part of the meal. I tried a teeny bite of my husband's yogurt-date lamb curry and it was substantially better, though he wasn't very pleased with his portion size or the texture of the naan.
The tables are so small you can hardly fit two plates and two glasses of water, and you feel like you're in a cafeteria that had one of those reality show weekend makeovers - esthetically-speaking it looks OK, but functionally-speaking it's a bust.
We actually tried this place as a precursor to deciding whether or not to test our endurance and patience with an evening at Vij's. Still might go for it one night, but it's definitely moved to the bottom of the must-try list.
Won't be back to Rangoli; Tandoori Palace does better naan and better dairy-free curries for a lot less.Listed in: Get yer vegan on
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Review from Maggie L.
Richmond, BC
1/10/2012
I love Indian spices and had tasted quite a variety of Indian home & restaurant cooking in the past because my friendly Indian co-workers used to bring lots of leftover food to share with everyone at work. So, for my bday, my husband brought me here for lunch as he heard quite a hype about this place. Luckily for us, there was no lineup as we arrived at 2pm on a weekday afternoon.
Atmosphere: clean, bright & hippy. Kinda like a modern style cafe. Do not expect authentic Indian decor though. Tables are small and sort of close to together but are cozy and acceptable. Not your typical Indian restaurant gems that love to stuck away at some weird industrial complex.
Service: We were greeted & served by a group of unanimously snobbish waitresses the minute we walked in. Service in general is fair and the waitresses were not attentive.
Food
- Drink: I had a Chai Tea ($2.5) and my husband had a Ginger Lemon Drink ($4) to start. The Chai was a bit disappointing as it was served lukewarm in an uninspiring chinese style fastfood-drinking glass, more importantly it lacked the milky favor and herbal fragrant one should expect from a Chai Tea. The Ginger Lemon Drink was too served in the same glass, tasted interesting, like lemonade with a twist of ginger & soda, but at $4 each, it is considered steep.
- Appetizer: Chickpea Samosas ($8.5). 2 pieces. Favor was good but not spectacular. Had tasted better.
- Main#1: Tamarind and Yogurt Marinated Grilled Natural Chicken ($16) was Ok. The server recommended it as customer's favor. But it came dry and a bit burnt. Spicy herb favor was pretty good but the chicken texture was not juicy or tender by any means.
- Main#2: Spicy Pulled Pork with sour cream chutney ($13.75) was a disappointment. The dish was drenched in a runny sauce that was heavily assaulted with cumin spice. The pulled pork itself is very dry but at least it has enough favor to go with the naan. We disliked it and didn't even finished it.
Conclusion:
Food 3/5 at best - given it is considerably pricey for Indian food.
Service 3/5 - didn't expect that many snobbish waitresses at these kinda restaurant.
Atmosphere - 4/5
Lunch @ 2 drinks, 2 main course & 1 appetizer. - the bill came close to $100 including taxes and tips. Given the food quality, service and more importantly the price they are charging, this place is definitely Overpriced, and IS NOT Recommend. -
Review from Purdy J.
Updated - 10/14/2011 2 photos
Another great experience at Rangoli. It's so great to have a go to spot where you can always count on delicious food and great service. The server was consistently refilling our water glasses which was nice because I do like my water.
The Samosas continue to impress... A little pricey at $8.50 for 2 but it is stuffed with lots of yummy ingredients, not just filled potatoes. The kebabs (4 grilled sausages about the size of hotdogs but stubbier) were meaty and had a nice spice to it too.
I only wish that their meals had the option of being more spicy. Our server said that most things on the menu were pretty mild but the beef ribs were probably the spiciest... I think he's completely wrong as they weren't spicy at all! The sauce that came with the samosas and kebabs were way spicier and even that wasn't all that spicy.
Lunch and dinner menu are exactly the same. Since the restaurant feels more like a cafeteria, I think I enjoy the atmosphere more for lunch. I'm not a big person, but I have a big appetite and I like to eat... Meals are good size for lunch but perhaps on the smaller side for dinner. If you're hungry, make sure you order an appetizer!Listed in: Vancouver's Bests!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/15/2011
My favorite Indian food in Vancouver! Vij's Rangoli is a hotspot in Vancouver - always busy and… Read more »
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Review from Brittany W.
North Vancouver, BC
Updated - 11/10/2011 1 photo
Still a winner for best samosa in the City!
My friends and I decided we wanted to go somewhere that was healthy and had good nourishing food for dinner one night. A little indecisive, we all agreed Rangoli was a safe bet, and so we dined. I had the Tamarind and Yogurt Marinated Grilled Natural Chicken, which was delish and flavourful - no complaints! However, their amazing eggplant and chickpea dish still takes the cake for me!
Great for lunch or a casual day-to-day dinner, but not quite suited for a special dinner occasion. In that case, it's worth the wait to go next door ;)Listed in: Quality lunch spots under $20, Excellent Ethnic Cuisine
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/20/2011
A bustling spot serving nourishing Indian cuisine with exquisite taste and quality ingredients, just… Read more »
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Review from Michelle F.
10/13/2011
This has become my new standard for Indian food....perhaps food in general. It was THAT good. We got there at 5:15pm and thought we beat the dinner crowd. No sir, we did not. Rangoli opened at 5:30pm and there was already a wait of 40-50 people. We realized we were in the wrong line. We intended on trying the less expensive restaurant and the line was for Rangoli (the pricier place next door).
this was hands down the best indian food i've ever had. The dishes were extremely innovative and beyond delicious. We got the braised beef and the tamarind & yogurt marinated chicken. The beef was so tender. It fell off the bone and soaked up all the scrumptious curry. The chicken was excellent as well. So tender, well seasoned, amazing. The bengali curry it came was good, but not fabulous like the other dishes. It served as a good dipping sauce for your naan though. Oh boy...the naan. Best i've ever had. It's chewy and thick....perfect.
And Vij came out to make sure everything was going ok with his guests. What a treat! The service was ok. Some servers were nicer than others. Some were a bit on the short, rude side.
I want to go to Vancouver again just to eat here again. -
Review from W Z.
10/12/2011
OMG, the meat...so tender!! This was the best Indian meal I've ever had. I had the Beef Short Ribs in Kalonji Curry and my boyfriend had the Goat and Jackfruit in Creamy Curry. I typically don't even like goat and I loved this. The beef short ribs sort of melted in my mouth.
The only complaint I have is the naan seems overly buttered and the spaces between tables are rather small. -
Review from Rachel H.
9/7/2011
Excellent dining on a summer's day in Vancouver. This is the best Indian food we have found to date in the Pacific NW (or the West, if you hail from Canada.)
We really enjoyed the yogurt marinated chicken with curry and mung beans, and the goat with jackfruit is interesting and tasty. We had a personable, well-traveled and earnest server who shared travel stories with us, and was extremely knowledgable about the menu.
My husband did get into an unexpected tussle with a sharp hook on the bathroom door, and got a laceration in his head (no stitches needed, but it was pretty deep and ugly) so I recommend fixing that or at least watching yourself in the washroom by the door. I suppose this incident will confirm (tongue in cheek) that we do almost anything for a good curry.Listed in: Foodie Tips
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Review from Hilda L.
8/10/2011
Food: 4*
No wonder this place has such high ratings. Really is worth the wait. They don't take reservations and when we got there we were told it would be a 25-minute wait. Luckily we were seated within 15. Perhaps many people leave the line while we chose to wait outside. The restaurant was so fragrant I knew the food had to match. I'm no expert on Indian food, but I think their offerings are more modern/fusion than traditional (there was no butter chicken on the menu he he). I ordered the curry spinach and paneer and it was very flavorful; not at all heavy. It tasted fresh - not like it had been sitting under a heat lamp or in a buffet tray all day. So be warned, the food took quite a while before it arrived.
Their drink list is small. Chai was good but not as strong and tasty as the one at East is East (I like my chai spicy). Beers are $6 I believe but the portion is so tiny! Don't bother. Get their cocktails instead - boozy but yummy.
Ambiance: 3*
The decor is modern and casual, not really what I would expect from an Indian restaurant. Nice patio area. Inside is fairly small and a large area is sectioned off with shelves which sell their products so the tables are quite close to each other.
Service: 3*
Not rude but not outstanding either. We did feel rushed at the end when 3 different servers try to clear our dishes which still had food on them! I realize there's a long line forming outside but you don't want to piss your existing customers off. A pitcher of water is left at your table.
Value: 4*
Prices are very reasonable and I might even be willing to pay a bit more since I left so satisfied and full. -
Review from Ziyan C.
9/7/2011 8 photos
Awesome Indian food. No wait. Lovely outdoor seats. Great value.
Must haves: mango lassi, tamarind chicken, coconut pudding.
* Service: 5 stars
We were promptly served and checked up on frequently. Even though we had our own water pitcher, our server and the other servers frequently filled our glasses. They were super friendly.
* Mango lassi $4.50: 5 stars
Amazing! This had such an authentic flavor and was nice and tart. I don't think they added any sugar at all! Great fresh tart flavor.
* Lentil, Paneer and Chickpea Samosas (with cilantro-jalapeno chutney) $8.50: 4 stars
Delish! Great flaky & crispy crust, not super oily, and love the chickpea filling. I've only ever had potato/pea or meat samosas, and this was a great alternative. Plus they aren't huge so you don't get overly full for your upcoming meal =).
* Portobello Mushroom and Red Bell Pepper Curry (on paneer with beet salad & naan) $13.50: 3 stars
While this was a great dish & I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm not sure why everyone raves about this as a must-have. The paneer was really great combo with the vegetables. The beet salad was meh, a little plain, and the flavors didn't go particularly well with the curry. Nothing particularly popped or really wowed me - it was a nice, simple, solid dish. The naan was really fresh, had that subtle crisp, and was awesome - and you can get this same naan with a bunch of entrees here.
* Tamarind and Yogurt Marinated Grilled Natural Chicken (with sprouts salad, rice and naan) $16: 4 stars
The chicken was tender, had a lovely slight charring to add texture, and was awesome with the tamarind/yogurt sauce. This with the naan, rice, and sprouts salad = amazing.
* Coconut Pudding with fruit (strawberries, cherries) $5.50: 5 stars
Surprisingly great! Really fresh fruit, light & refreshing, with a hint of rose in the flavor. The coconut is subtle as well and the pudding isn't overly sweet. A fantastic combination of flavors. -
Review from Andy W.
7/30/2011 5 photos
If you don't like spicy food and are a meat lover, this place is not for you. I'm all of the above and found it hard to order from their menu. I had to ask the server what was not spicy and she almost could not answer me. It came down to two dishes from their entire menu:
-Tamarind and yogurt marinated grilled chicken with sprout salad, rice and naan ($16)
-Portobello mushroom and red bell pepper curry on paneer with beet salad and naan ($13.50) (vegetarian)
There were two of us so we ordered both of those dishes. They tasted pretty good but it was not $16-a-plate good. And the portions were small. At the end of the meal we were still hungry.
We also had the rice pudding dessert ($5.50). It's was just alright.
For what it was, it was an expensive meal. This place is not for me. -
Review from Paul E.
Vancouver, BC
9/26/2011
Since moving to Vancouver from the UK last year I've been thoroughly impressed by the range and quality of food available in the city, but with one notable absence - good quality curry. Everywhere I'd tried before Vij's Rangoli had been disappointing, and often over priced. Rangoli is different.
We arrived about 8pm on a busy Saturday night to be seated straight away, and very quickly decided on the lentil and paneer samosas as a shared starter, followed by the goat and jackfruit curry and the grilled eggplant with chickpeas. The samosas were good, but not excellent - they were a little dry and needed the cilantro-jalapeno chutney for flavour.
However, the main courses were excellent - the goat and jackfruit was very tender with a beautiful balance of spice and flavour, and the eggplant and chickpeas were equally tasty and perfectly cooked. The accompaniments were spot on too - soft and fresh naan, rice and a crisp coconut and cabbage salad with the goat, and raita and some of the nicest chapattis I've had with the eggplant and chickpeas.
Overall the bill came to $61 with drinks (mago lassi and an IPA) and a decent sized tip for the attentive and accomodating (if slightly rushed) service.
Highly recommended, would be rated as a 4.5 if Yelp would allow it! -
Review from A. B.
11/28/2011
A perenial fav of ours...i do prefer it to Vij's other place which has horrendous waits so your appetite is killed & blood sugar is dangerously low by the time you get seated...inspite of the free & yummy apps they so kindly serve while you're waiting. you get almost the same food here but usually there are no waits. the Chaat is a must have if you go there & almost everything else i've had is awesome. this time we tried the naan pizza with crickets which was AOK as it was a bit oversalty. plus you didn't taste the crunchiness of the crickets or their flavor much at all due the to daal paste between the naan & the crickets. i had the lamb with yoghurt date sauce which was perfectly done with the lamb just melting in my mouth & the dates really complementing the lamb really well. my husband had the beef short ribs in red wine sauce which was really great too. we also carried some of their frozen food packets to Whistler & got to try the black chana with ginger, the kale & potatoes & the paneer with red peppers. all were great though the last one was my fav.
the service was great too, thanks to a new, very friendly, knowledgeable maitre'd so we didn't miss not seeing Vikram in the restaurant that day. can't wait till the day i can be back to Vij's... -
Review from Kas D.
Vancouver, BC
9/22/2011
We made our way to Vij's tonight, however, with a 1+ hour line-up for Vij's we opted to go next door to Rangoli. We needed food in our bellies!
Rangoli? - Yummy!
I enjoyed the grilled yogurt marinated chicken with curry, mung beans, rice and naan. Our table also had the spicy pulled pork and a lamb dish. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals and polished off their plates. When I first saw the meal it appeared smaller than I expected. But let me tell you, those plates are deceiving. It was a LOT of food! Make sure you can handle a little spice in your life - if not this may not be the place for you! There was definitely a spice party going on in my mouth.
A huge kudos to the staff. They were fantastic, friendly and attentive. I have to say the service here is exceptional and deserved 10 stars out of 5. From the owner walking around and speaking with guests, to the server who did a wonderful job to the cook who aided in pointing out the bathroom - just fantastic!
Oh yes - and the prices are definitely reasonable at approximately $12-$16 for most of the mains. -
Review from Dustin D.
Victoria, BC
Simply delicious, definitely in the top two Indian meals I've ever had. The samosas were spectacular, the portabella mushroom and bell pepper curry was complex and delicious and my cricket naan pizza was fantastic. Service was very good with explanations of dishes offered, recommendations on request and frequent water refilling. I would absolutely return.
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Review from DineoutGal A.
Winnipeg, MB
8/2/2011 2 photos
I love you Vij! Ever since I first tried Vij's a couple of years ago, I have been so excited to come back for more meals! I wanted to visit you but your main restaurant doesn't take reservations and my time in Vancouver was short so I had to visit Rangoli instead. But boy oh boy Rangoli did NOT disappoint. It was hard to choose just one item and I needed a quick take out lunch so I went with the Tamarind and Yogurt Marinated Grilled Natural Chicken with sprouts salad, rice and naan ($16). The chicken was moist and had a lovely grill taste to it. And OMG, the sauce was amazing...I don't know what ingredients were in there but the flavours were dancing in my mouth and I ate every last bit of that sauce (I hope it wasn't too fattening! LOL). The sprout salad was delicious and helped balance the fuller flavours of the chicken.
Service was fast and efficient and I only wish I had time to pick up the frozen entrees to ship back home! -
Review from Chris M.
7/5/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The "serious business" original location of Vij's is among the best restaurants Vancouver has to offer - beautiful dishes with classic Indian inspiration that seem to get absolutely everything right from a flavour standpoint. Rangoli aims to take the greatness found next door and resize it into a casual lunch format, and largely succeeds . It's a nicely designed, clean space - brighter and more modern than Vij's with an open layout and covered patio. The little TVs playing fuzzy Bollywood movies in the bathrooms always make me grin. Service is friendly and prompt and you can order a refreshing lassi or lemon-ginger soda to start things off.
The dishes are not as sumptuous or complex as the average Vij's entree, but the quality of the ingredients and preparation hardly slips a bit from the very high standard next door. You'll find flaky samosas, velvety-soft meat (I love the lamb dishes) and rich vegetable curries with deep, intense flavour but no tendency toward heaviness - all resized to a lunch portion that comes with naan and a side. The all-important naan is piping hot, pillow-soft and dense. Sides usually act as refreshing palate-cleansers (I recently tried an impressive coconut-infused coleslaw.)
If you want a very well-prepared authentic Indian meal, or if you've wanted to try Vij's food but can't work up the scratch, time or effort, Rangoli is your spot. Plus they have prepared takeout so you can cook up equally tasty dishes at home! -
Review from Jacqueline T.
Coquitlam, BC
Still as delicious as ever!
Thot I would write another updated review, since the first one was my first Yelp review, and seemed too short and unfair for a great lunch destination!
Want to fill up on your veggie intake, while still having the satisfaction of eating yummy savory foods? Come visit Rangoli! Different spices and flavors to entice you! And the veggie selections are incredible (Mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower, lentils, beans.. and much more). And you know you're eating something pretty nutritious when your plate glows with such vibrant colorings of greens, yellows and reds!
Favorite: Is still and will always be the Portobello & Peppers Curry!
TIP: Try to not go during Lunch peak hours, as there is usually a wait. But once seated, service is friendly, and quick :)
Definitely a must try! A different and pleasant twist to Indian cuisine, as its NOT all heavy curries, and butter chicken.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/5/2011
Mmm the portobello mushroom curry is so good! And the naan itself is already so scrumptious!… Read more »
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Review from Lans S.
8/10/2011
Some of the BEST indian ive ever tasted! Freshness and flavor profiles comparable to the deliciousness you'd find right in india. The service is lovely, as is the simple decor.
The short ribs are tender perfection and the sauce will have me dreaming for days. The pickled carrot & cabbage cleanses the palate with its refreshing combination of spices.
The chicken w/tomato and green beans dish is also to die for. Moist bite size pcs of chicken in a most heavenly sauce. Chapatis & naans plus rice - all amazing!
MOUTHWATERING! -
Review from Patrick H.
7/29/2011
Last year I went to Vij's and this year I checked out Ringoli.
Very good. More casual. Good service.
I had the beef short ribs with rice and naan. The short ribs were fall off the bone tender. Delicious spices and seasoning.
Yummy! -
Review from Fritz S.
6/6/2011
Mr Vij's! u dun done it again son!!
Dude is a genius! I've already went to Vij's for his epic dinner (see past review) so i decided to check out Rangoli for lunch! and OH MAN just as sexy as next door!! The service was amazing (as always) And The food was out of this world slap yo mama good! Mmm creamy curry lamb with rice and nann!.. (O face)... U can also take their food home to try from their freezers! (gotta love convenience u know?)Listed in: Indian Joints
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Review from David D.
Vancouver, BC
5/15/2011
I love Rangoli's, the food is creative, the servers are great and they even remember your name on return visits. Try the mushroom dish and lamb kebabs.
The inside is a little small, especially if you're over 6 feet tall, you have to be careful not to elbow the people sitting next to you while cutting your food! -
Review from Allen W.
Vancouver, BC
4/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Although cramped and a little loud, the staff at Rangoli were fast on their feet and exuded warmth to every guest no matter how frantic the place appeared.
We stood in line for a good 30-40 inside the restaurant and a hostess came through with a tray of savoury bites every 10 minutes - there was a super spicy french fry, spicy naan, and another naan topped with chutney.
We were lucky enough to be standing about 5 feet from a celeb who had just finished his meal. I had been staring at him since he was taking up valuable space, not realizing who he was. I won't name drop, but make sure to keep your eyes open when you visit. He seemed to be a regular as he gave a hug to the hostess before leaving.
Once seated, our food came out quickly. The samosas were plump and filling. Unfortunately, the dish I wanted wasn't on the menu but was in the freezer case where we had been waiting. Bummer. I ordered the famed portobello mushroom curry instead.
Overall, food met my expectations - plated beautifully and full of flavour.
Arrive super early or late evening, the dinner rush seemed to run until about 7:30 when tables began opening up and the line disappeared. -
Review from Jenny l.
Vancouver, BC
5/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't eat spicy food, so Indian and Thai food are pretty much write offs for me. I had a craving and since I had been here once before and I was going to be in the area, I thought I'd brave it. A gift from above, no wait. We walked in and an empty table for two in front of us. A relatively warm clear night I was really looking forward to this. The restaurant itself was super clean and we were greeted right away. I was really really impressed by the service. I ordered the Portobello Mushroom and Red Bell Pepper Curry based on the rave reviews, and was not disappointed. It was not spicy at all just like the server had promised, and the mushroom was tender and flavourful. The naan was soft, chewy and warm. Soooo good.
The chai is bottomless, and we were asked mulitple times how our meals were by 2 different servers. Our drinks were re-filled a couple times.
Great food, great service, and clean. LOVED IT! Highly recommend! -
Review from Jasmine L.
5/26/2011
I've heard about Rangoli through Giada and a bunch of other foodies. It's the lunchtime location for Vij's in Vancouver. I had really wanted to try good Indian food, and since Vancouver is bustling with authentic ethnic restaurants, I couldn't wait.
I've been here about twenty times now, since 2008. My grandparents live in West Vancouver, and we always make the 40 minute drive to Rangoli's at least twice during the two week vacation. It's worth it; it's one of the places I always look forward to and don't have many disappointments.
I usually opt for the pulled pork or the tandoori chicken (both are AMAZING), but when I went today I ordered the curried saag and paneer (spinach and cheese). It was so good! I usually don't like saag because of the spices they put in; it overpowers the whole dish and I can't taste anything except for the spice. But Rangoli's saag was perfect. It came with pieces of bread made from potato and a side of tzazkiki; I didn't need the sauce, I just piled the saag and panner on top of the potato bread and dug in. I definitely recommend that dish, and it'll be the dish I'll order again and again.
My grandparents always order the chickpea egglant and the lamb curry; seeing that they don't ever order anything else, it's plain to see they enjoy that dish.
Also ordered every time is the chai tea; it's like a chai latte from any coffee shop except brewed with more spices that takes the drink from a regular chai to the next level. Amazing.
My mom ordered the savoury chat, which is a fancy name for a cold salad potatoes, sprouts, and wheat crisps topped with yogurt and chutney. It was good, but not as an entree. I'd recommend that for starters to share with the whole table.
The dishes come out looking small, but every bite is so tasty, and you get full from the pieces of naan or potato bread with each meal.
Look for Fred as well. He's a waiter always there in a collared striped shirt (at least every time I've gone, he's always wearing a striped one) and a gold necklace. Taking the time to talk to my grandparents, even though their English is limited, and asking us how we enjoyed our dishes, even answering our questions to how each dish was made, is so nice of him. He's also someone we look out for at every trip we make here.
If you are ever in South Granville, I definitely urge you to come here! You won't regret it. -
Review from Fiopo F.
West Vancouver, BC
11/27/2011
Maybe I'm not enough of an Indian food expert to "get" this place. I've had both meat and vegetable dishes with naan and eating them was hard work both physically and mentally. My ideal piece of naan tastes earthy and plain, slightly chewy, shape and texture uneven, with occasional charred air pockets here and there. What I got here was a neat, evenly shaped, uniformly textured naan with a slight hint of some pleasant aroma...masterfully engineered but severely lacking a soulful realness. The entrees likewise exhibited a refined, delicate taste that I didn't dare disturb by dipping a piece of naan that I felt guilty ripping. Yes, they do taste quite wonderful. But it is real tiring treading on broken glass.
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Review from Forrest D.
10/10/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've never been to India although I did see Slumdog Millionaire so I know what I'm talking about, but I have eaten a few very good Indian dinners in London which could almost be renamed India 2.0 in certain neighborhoods and they didn't come close to the dishes served here. We also have some very good Indian restaurants in Los Angeles, but so far none of them can hold a candle to the food coming out of the kitchen at Vij's Rangoli, which is impressive when you consider that the Rangoli outpost is essentially just a lunch spot next door to the more famous restaurant. I can only salivate and think on what wonders must come out of the kitchen there. f
The beauty of the food here, and what it should be in any good Indian restaurant is the amazing co-mingling of five or six distinct flavors in each plate. Sometimes the results are just muddy or unnoticeable, sometimes you taste a couple of flavors in a good dish, but here there were no less than half a dozen very distinct elements to each and every dish. Enough gushing, straight to the food:
First came a perfect rendition of Pakoras with Daal, packed with cauliflower, spinach, onions and potatos. Like every dish that followed, every bite here has a little bit of everything, like a day trip for your mouth. A little sweet, a little sour, a little spicy a little this and a little that.
Next was the equally fabulous Lamb, beef and lentil kebabs with date, tamarind and chutney. Most of the food here is almost indescribable, but it's all delicious.
Spicy pulled pork on sauteed greens with sour cream, chutney and naan. Most excellent.
Lastly, was the tamarind and yogurt marinated grilled natural chicken. Every plate a winner.
I don't want to oversell this, like anything if you expect too much you'll likely be disappointed but even after reading the hype and headlines this exceeded everything on the food level.
It's not perfect though, not sure if it was the day or a different way of preparing Naan, but it's very flat and listless here. It tasted fine, but I'm admittedly fond of the airy light version. Also, while the service was pleasant I can't say they bend over backwards to accomodate. Like many restaurants of this type, they charge for every little thing: rice, refills etc. Also dishes aren't exactly humongous, but they are filling and you can share a few to try different things and get out respectably.
Also, they apparently don't believe in high chairs in Vancouver as this was the first of many times one was unavailable. Strange, not sure what they do with the children here.
On another positive, they sell prepackaged versions and spices that looked delicious as well as a cookbook if you'd like to try and butcher a version at home.
All in all, as much as I hate hyperbole, this is by far the best Indian food I've had thus far, until something come along that's better this will be the standard bearer for me. I can only imagine what they offer next door.
Best Plates: Cauliflower and Potato Pakoras, Lamb Beef and Lentil Kebabs, Spicy Pulled Pork on Sauteed Greens, Tamarind and Yogurt Grilled Chicken
Food - A+
Ambience - B+
Service - B
Value - A- -
Review from KAM S.
Vancouver, BC
11/17/2010
I just had dinner on the weekend and this place was FANTASTIC! Yes, its not as sheek and "glamour" as VJ's next door but its worth checking out. The manager Gurpreet (I think thats his name) was super awesome and courteous and helped use find a seat in minutes considering the place was jam packed.!
I will return again maybe this weekend as I crave the portobella mushroom currey.. YUMMY! -
Review from Francois C.
Calgary, AB
1/3/2011
When I was in Vancouver recently, I decided to pay a visit to my old friend Vij. When I lived in Vancouver in the late 1990s (1996 to be exact), I was introduced to Vij's by a girl I was dating. At that time, it was a little hole in the wall on Granville Street itself, with literally about 6 to 8 tables, with Vij himself acting as the host, the waiter, and the maitre d'. It was pretty obvious at that time that Vij was a cook to watch, as the food was amazing, and the small number of tables made that it was pretty much impossible to get in there at dinner - lunch was the only sure bet. I ate at Vij's first restaurant probably half a dozen times when I lived in Vancouver (said girlfriend lived in South Granville so it was convenient to stop at), and was sincerely sad to leave it when I moved to Calgary.
Well, I knew that Vij would "go places", but I did not know that he would reach the stratosphere as he has! He has opened not only another full traditional restaurant, but also Rangoli, right next to it. While his main restaurant is what I'd call traditional Indian, Rangoli is "urban" Indian, and the decor is decidedly funky and cool (but they share the same kitchen; different menus obviously). This is a small restaurant, and seating is tight - but it adds pleasantly to the experience.
Foodwise, it was incredible! I had the Caramelized Onion and Ginger Lamb Curry and it was by far the most delicious indian dish I've had in a long time! Portion size was just perfect, and the flavours delicate, considered and sublime. My date had the Tamarind and Yogurt Marinated Grilled Natural Chicken, and it was equally amazing. As someone else said, if I lived in Vancouver, I'd go here all the time! -
Review from Patrick L.
8/26/2011
perhaps vij's is much better than it's rangoli counterpart. the food was very typical and almost a bit bland compared to indian food ive had in murrray hill in nyc and the indian enclave in london.
ingredients tasted fresh though, but that doesnt make up for the lack of flavors in the goat curry with jackfruit--which prob had like 3 pieces of goat. the pakoras were fried pretty nicely but nothing atypical. -
Review from Dee B.
4/3/2011
My husband does not like Indian food, so I went out on a limb and took him to Rangoli. Well, well, well son of a gun... HE LOVED IT! I also decided to get him a mango lassi as well.
He had the braised beef ribs and I had the chicken with yogurt and tamarind.
I used to dine at Rangoli frequently, but since being in a relationship with Mr. B, I lost focus! Shame on me. I will never again forget about Vij's or Rangoli.
Vij was there, as usual, being his charming and lovely self. Can't wait to go back and eat more! -
Review from Kyrsten J.
New Westminster, BC
2/5/2011
Every single time - it's the portobello mushroom and red bell pepper curry. I've gone on more first dates here than i care to remember, and if nothing else, the food has never disappointed :) Even though you know it's not necessarily made-to-order (indian places never are - that would be dumb) it always comes out with the best of care and you feel like they plated it just for you. Paneer is awesome in the above-mentioned dish - but the naan? You could feed me just the naan and I'd be a happy, happy girl. Meltingly delicious.
The chai is so spicy it hurts (how it should be!) and the lassis are worth their somewhat expensive price.
my sole complaint? no reservations (just like next door), and the chairs are tiny - it's not a place you can easily sit for hours (though I have had long lunches with the gals here). -
Review from Novaira M.
Vancouver, BC
3/20/2011
A much better value than its neighbor - Vij's, and offers a better selection of main dishes to choose from and their rotis taste a lot better too. The prices are in the $15 - $20 range. The tables are a little crammed together, so its not great for large groups - and they dont take reservations.
The dishes aren't exactly indian, they're indian fusion, but still quite flavorful. -
Review from beki L.
Vancouver, BC
10/4/2010 2 photos
Came here for a spontaneous lunch out with my roomie playing hooky from work (sshh....).
He had just seen an episode about our very own VIJ's restaurant on the food network and really wanted to check out his sister store, Rangoli. And the adventure begins!
I was surprised how small the room was with only a dozen or so tables inside and a few more outside. most of the space was used for the kitchen and an area where you can purchase their fully cooked frozenpacked dishes of delicious curries, frozen naan bread, recipe books, even their own spice blends! It was a treat to look through it while we waited for our food.
He had the pulled pork with naan bread - the smell and flavouring pulled me towards his side of the table to sneak a bite. yummmmy! just enough kick for heat!
i had the portobello mushroom and bell pepper with naan bread and beet salad. although, my roomies dish was fantastic, i was much happier with mine. the mushrooms in it totally made the dish!
everything was so fresh and the people there so polite. we were so impressed with what we got that we both left with a frozen bag of naan and a frozen entree...EACH!Listed in: The Spice is Right!
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Review from Uday S.
4/2/2011
Very cool experience - avant garde Indian cuisine, great new flavors by unique combinations. The moment we stepped in the hospitality started. There was a wait time and we were offered hot spiced naan hors d'ouvres and offers of tea while we waited. The tea was simply and deliciously spiced. The seating is very tight and our least favorite part, but the place was overrun with a working lunch crowd looks like.
The entrees are individual sized and very good. We really went to try Vij's next door but it's only open for dinner. Don't regret trying this one bit! -
Review from Betty L.
12/4/2010
A great place for busy people to get quality Indian food on the go. It's a good way to get a taste of Vij's Indian cooking minus the tremendous wait at his other restaurant next door.
I love their samosas,naan bread, veggie curry and chicken curry. The instructions on the packaging are clear. It's helpful that they have it in fresh and
