Whether you’re dealing with car trouble, strata woes, drama in your smutty book club or just the general state of the world, a good meal can be the best medicine: these local restaurants have what you need, stat.
Technically Just One Piece of Pasta
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June’s Pasta for Rachel ($40), doused in indulgent beurre d’Isigny and stuffed with cheese and potato, is ravioli served French-style (in a single sheet). Rachel clearly has her priorities straight: this dish is all butter, carbs and dreams, and for $40, we can all be her.
Where: June, 3305 Cambie St. | juneoncambie.com
Soup for a Crabby Mood
The signature dish at Restaurant Award-winner Crab Hot Lau, bánh đa cua đồng (rice field crab noodle soup, $20), is a brothy mountain of flavour: red rice noodles, fried fish cakes, lolot leaf-wrapped pork, crispy pork fat and golden crab roe bathe in a rich soup made from the freshwater rice field crab.
Where: Multiple locations | crabhotlau.ca
A Two-Hander Beast of a Burger
Gracefully biting into the colossal Bacon Cheeser ($16) from Between 2 Buns might be your greatest accomplishment of the day. And you know what? Masterfully taking in all the onions, pickles, juicy beef, crispy bacon and gooey cheese is something to be proud of.
Where: 105 E Pender St. and 4245 Fraser St. | between2bunsburgers.ca
Breakfast for Dinner
Despite its no-nonsense name, Just Pizza crafts pies that are wild and experimental; it’s food fusion in the best possible way. The Filipino breakfast pizza ($23), for example, is topped with longganisa sausage, jalapenos, pickled red onions and a perfect runny egg.
Where: 1629 Kingsway | justpizzaplease.ca
A Classic Kid’s Meal
In tough times we yearn for the good old days, and Burgoo’s After School Special ($25) was designed for warm nostalgia. It’s grilled cheese on a toasty baguette and a side of tomato soup for dipping, the joy of childhood on a plate.
Where: Multiple locations | burgoo.ca
Secret Fried Chicken
Tucked inside Chinatown Plaza mall is Coqoudak, a Korean fried-chicken spot that offers crunchy, delicious boneless bites for excellent prices (chicken orders from $10). The Sweet and Spicy is the best pick if you’re looking for a little heat and a lot of serotonin.
Where:110–180 Keefer St. | coqoudak.com
A Snack for the Steamed
Instead of raging out on your co-worker or aunt or windchime-obsessed neighbour, try indulging in soup dumplings the next time you’re mad. Something about slurping the broth out of a delicate xiao long bao ($14) from Jingle Bao is extraordinarily calming.
Where: 774 Denman St. | jinglebao.com
No-Worries Curry
Are the events of the day keeping you up at night? Start your sheep-counting with the lamb Madras ($23) from Karma Indian Bistro: the south Indian roasted coconut curry is bold and tangy, chock full of boneless lamb and fret-free.
Where: 2741 W 4th Ave. | karmaindianbistro.ca
