Those walking around the area of Hornby and Pacific Street may have noticed signs for a new restaurant opening in the area. Well… at least we did. Luckily, we were invited for a sneak peek inside Vancouver’s latest spot for upscale Indian eats ahead of its opening.
Desi Lounge should be your next destination to escape the dreary and rainy Vancouver weather. Immediately when walking in, it feels like you’ve been transported to somewhere more tropical than the grey Vancouver streets. Both wallpaper with greenery and actual greenery can be spotted throughout the spot, alongside blue booths, pink walls, and luxurious gold accents.
It’s difficult not to compare this cozy yet upscale decor to the food. We tried a number of Desi Lounge dishes, and each was an elevated take on some of our favourite Indian comfort food items.
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
An immediate standout was the Kerala Pepper Chicken. It has the perfect amount of spicy kick to it, enough to get you sweating a little bit but not overpowering in a way you can’t enjoy the entire dish. This is a crowd-pleaser whether you’re eating for one or sharing with the table. Plus, we can attest that it makes for fantastic leftovers.
For the vegetarians out there, Desi Lounge has you covered. The Kolhapuri Paneer and Mushrooms was a saucy, delicious plate perfect for dipping your naan into. Plus, the acidity from the pickled shallots was a very welcomed addition to the rich sauce. We’ve thought long and hard about which part we enjoyed more from this dish — the paneer or the mushrooms — and have come to the decision that we can’t choose one over the other.
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
To round out our meal, it’d be a mistake not to order the Mango Roualde Cake with Mango Yogurt. If you’re a fan of mango lassi, you’ll find very familiar flavours here. It is an overall light and refreshing dessert, which is great if you’re anything like us and ordered more than you need.
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
And when it comes to drinks, Desi Lounge has an excellent selection of cocktails. Examples include a spicy and sour drink called the Bengal Martini and the City of Dreams, which had similar tasting notes to chai.
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
So if you’re looking for a new take on some of your favourite Indian comfort eats, look no further than Desi Lounge. Be sure to keep an eye on its Instagram for updates on a grand opening date.
Desi Lounge
Address: 1355 Hornby Street, Vancouver
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