Under cover of the night.
You’ve heard the stories, you’ve read the reviews, now its YOUR turn to visit…Vij’s Rangoli.
There are select few eating establishments in this city with wait lines that snake out the door and down the path: Stepho’s Greek, Go Fish, Toshi’s Sushi, Japadog, Vij’s and Rangoli. Yet, I’ve never had to wait more than a half hour to eat at Rangoli (even during prime dinner service), and when I have, the wait has always been whiled away with beverages and (complimentary) tasty snacks.
At 1488 West 11th Avenue sits Rangoli; that, which (according to their website), ‘uniquely doubles as both a market and a restaurant’.
Here, NOTHING is as it seems:
- The wood paneling that creates the back wall of the restaurant conceals the washrooms
- The menus to peruse whilst you wait in line? A ruse to minimize service time, thus allowing more happy diners to be served…order, eat, pay, order, eat, pay
- And the menu is compact, its layout and design straight-forward with complete entrees (read, each dish comprises starch/protein/vegetable)
This is not a restaurant in which diners linger. But then the bright lights, the hard chairs, and the fast pace don’t bode well for lingering. Still, the ambiance is enjoyable and there’s a buzz in the air: diners are happy they managed to get a table, excited for their meals, servers are affable, and the food is excellent.
Like a well-oiled machine Rangoli exudes efficiency; in the time that it usually takes you to eat a restaurant meal, you can be in and out and on your way.
Aesthetically dressed to kill the space is slick and streamlined, edgy but with a touch of cool.
Rangoli’s staff are incredibly friendly and observant:
- They notice your draping coat and offer to hang it
- They notice your out of town guests and offer to take your picture (with the chef if you’re so lucky)
- They see you reaching for a Rangoli business card and also offer you one for Vij’s next door, as well as a look at their menu
Rangoli is so slick, it’s good. And the best part about it?
You don’t even realize, and you don’t even mind when you do.
~ kath
