Just have to say this & big thanks to Mr Bourdain for this tip-- i'm still unwinding from a lovely, divine leisurely dinner at VJ's-- as good as advertised!!!!

what a meal! I've been hankering for a wonderful Indian meal since I left London & this place is even a lot better than ones I've had there.(though Khans on westbourne grove was wonderful--if still there)

I wasn't about to leave Van until I've been here-- my friend & I had the jackfruit to start, we were both curious to see what they'll do with Jackfruit as a savury-- divine! far cry from the 'langka' I grew up with. then we shared the duck & lamb potsticks........yum... yum..for dessert-- the handmade chocolates-- one with hint of cardamon & pistachios.

LOVELY.. worth every penny! great service,too.

and yes we were nosy-- we asked about you tony...

tony... tony... what have you started...YES! BACK TO THIS VENUE-- this time tested RANGOLI.. introducing another friend to Indian food..I really love this place.. this time we tried the goat & chicken.. divine.. the laksi & the yummy rice pudding-- simmered in rose water with hints of cardamon seeds...perfect to finish off this meal.

too bad I'm leaving soon otherwise I'll try all on their menu-- it's that wonderful!

hmmmm.. another visit to this wonderful restaurant before i leave town(for now) this time we tried & started with the samosas-- slightly different in presentation than the usual samosas(the Indian empanadas,in UK it's pasties) again wonderful-- served with chickpeas & so perfectly seasoned, I noticed some diners just ordered several starters.

my eyes get so greedy at this place-- I want to try it all, had the pulled pork for me & the goat for my friend-- & each had that tasty rice pudding.

I'm going to try & learn how to make this.

thanks tony-- my BC friends thank me for introducing them to VJ'S-RANGOLI-- Likewise: I thank you.. otherwise, I'll be mooching the Scott Rd looking for the best place for Indian.

PS: finally tried those Japadogs-- yeah! good, liked the seeweed one best..hope they open one in LA at new mall in Mid-wilshire.

Yeah, surprisingly, Vij's litterally does not take reservations... I guess I should have figured that out from the name of the show!

But seriously, as a hard core North Westerner, I feel Tony has done our corner of the world justice, and the whole show for Vancouver was right on.

yeah, glad you pointed this out-- VJ'S DOES NOT TAKE RESERVATIONS..but my friend & I were grateful it was open on Sundays--what's more, VJ"S is only open for dinner 7 nights a week. one queues up but it hardly matters as it was pleasant waiting for our table-- we were given lovely little treats to stave off our hunger(if one isn't, all that lovely smells will).. the service was friendly , more like one was going to have dinner with fond friends..

the menu is n0t huge-- but totally well thought out.

the bistro Rangoli is also open in the evenings( as well as lunch) more informal but a whole different menu ( only few things are served in both)

I love both-- since my return to LA-- I've been experimenting with that rice pudding-- finally got it with my 3 rd try( the consistency is the key) noticed too-- this was influenced by the Persians.

and as far as Vancouver is concern? mooching around downtown ( wh I Haven't done in yrs) I could s ee how much it's gotten more cosmopolitan & seeing more restaurants to explore on further visits. Malaysian restaurants( wh we hardly have in LA oddly but we sure have a lot of Korean !)

In chinatown-- I stumbled on these handmade noddles that looked exactly ones Tony had in HK--yummy!!!! & only for $5cad.

for Filipinos-- found the hopia & siopao just like one gets in Manila chinatown..

almost forgot-- another big thing in BC is-- this hybrid Chinese-Indian fusion cuisine, meaning Chinese in the Indian way-- cocncocted by Chinese living in India..one could find these places along the Scott Road..One I tried was Asian spice( that orange chicken is to die for-- perfect!)-- & aanother recommended to me but didn't have the chance to go but from an Indian was GREEN LETTUCE.

You know that's funny, my Nepali friends are all into "Chinese" food as well - although of course they mean Nepali food cooked in what they conceive of as a Chinese style. Interesting stuff. My Chinese friends can't quite come to terms with it, but I guiltily admit, it has its charms!

it's not really odd,is it? if the chinese have sichuan cuisine-- what's so odd of chinese in the Indian style??

I can't believe how wonderful it was/is when I first tasted it..as I do love my spicy food I kept going back to Asian spice-- & I found out there's this Indian who came in everyday who ate the same dish!!!! too much-- whole fish in this Chinesey spicy sauce.

as for VJ's-- that restaurant is a class of it's own-- why worth going to.I knew I had to go when I saw the BIG T THERE-- ( also Guida)

all else-- one can find on the Scott Road-- which they call'little India"--I learnt to cook my mock Indian from Madhur Jaffrey whilst living in London.I went berserk in their markets & dragged it all back to LA.