Vancouver's Best Cheap Eats — Page 2

LITTLE NEST
1716 Charles St., Commercial Drive, 604-251-9994
After shopping for well-priced Italian groceries on the Drive, replenish the tiny troops at new family-focussed brunch spot Little Nest. You may mistake it for the weekly meeting of the East Van Foodie Breeders Club, with its custom-built toy kitchen for your pint-size chef. Sleepy looking moms and dads tuck into a largely local, organic menu served up with cups of fair-trade coffee. After-school snacks like fruit fries and berry ketchup ($4) are a hit with the rug rats. For the over-seven (but still young at heart) set there are nostalgic soft-boiled eggs-and-soldiers ($5) that may be reason enough for childless friends to join in the fun. Though after eating brunch in a room full of babies and toddlers, they may choose to remain that way.—M.B.

EAST IS EAST
3243 W. Broadway, Kitsilano, 604-734-5881;
4413 Main St., South Main, 604-879-2020
For a few measly shekels you can embark on a culinary adventure that ranges from Istanbul to Calcutta. Enjoy roti rolls served with lentil tamarind soup and organic greens that come in savoury single ($8.50) or hefty double ($12.50) portions. Try the Afghan Nomad (lamb kebab with garlic and ginger), or the Mughal (roasted chicken masala) with spiced chai or a Kashmiri Sunset (a yogurt lassie flavored with fresh mango, cardamom and rose water, $4.50). A convenient take-out window offers the entire menu to go.—C.G.

BLAKE'S
221 Carrall St., Gastown, 604-899-3354
Fronting as a coffee shop, with 18-foot brick walls displaying local artwork, and chairs and couches perfect for lounging with a book, this place would be easy to overlook. Don’t: there are serious (and seriously delicious) eats at this Gastown institution. Just about everything is made on the premises, then tucked away in a display case behind the front counter under stacks of plates and mugs. Vegans and vegetarians are well looked after with items like the vegan shepherd’s pie ($6.35) and veggie and black bean quesadillas ($6.35). Meatheads get theirs—try the capicolli on marble rye ($6.35), an exceptionally moist, chewy bread for sandwiches brought in fresh each day. Break the $6.35 barrier (tax included) by ordering lasagne ($6.95) or adding roasted veggie and lentil side salad ($2). And by the way, the coffee in this more-than-coffee shop is pretty damn good, too.—M.T.

ACACIA FILLO BAR
1103 Denman St., West End, 604-633-3884
Bulgarian ex-pats Vera and Ziggy Ivanova have cultivated a loyal following with their delicate flaky pastries: try the smoked turkey and kashkaval ($7.55) or the spinach ($5.36) banitzas—sumptuous baked fillo pies made from whisked egg and sheep feta, served in generous slabs with yogurt and garden greens. The pumpkin banitza ($4.85) with cinnamon and walnuts, and baklava with acacia honey ($4.19), are sweetly satisfying. Nothing on the menu exceeds $10, and the all-day breakfast on weekends, rotating daily specials and the elusive (and truly exquisite tasting) Caffé D’Arte coffee make this spot a real find.—C.G.

WILD GARLIC
792 Denman St., West End, 604-687-1663
Follow your nose to this small West End room that offers big value with an extensive list of tapas served in deceptively large portions. Gorge on prawn and shitake pot stickers ($5), pepper-crusted tuna with citrus port glaze ($11) or an impressive duck leg confit with sour cherry jus and garlic mash ($7). Nightly drink specials make this one of the best spots to get buzzed, with spicy Caesars for $3.50 on Tuesdays and $4 Martini Fridays—boozy libations for less than a venti-size latte.—C.G.

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