Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
too (coconutty Asian-style recommended). This is also a great spot to sample a tapas
plate of escargot . They're served in traditional style, drenched in garlic butter. Expect
excellent, old-school service.
VIA TEVERE
PIZZA
$$
(
www.viateverepizzeria.com
;
1190 Victoria Dr; mains $12-19; 5-10pm Tue-Thu, 5-11pm Fri & Sat,
5-9pm Sun; 20)
Just two blocks east from the Drive, it's worth the five-minute walk
for what may well be East Van's best pizza. Which is saying something, since the Drive
is studded like an over-packed pepperoni pie with good pizza joints. Run by a family
with true Neapolitan roots, check out the mosaic-tiled wood-fired oven, then launch
yourself into a feast: capricciosa highly recommended. There's a focus on simple, but
supremely well-made classic pizzas here, which means even the margherita is the per-
fect example of how amazing pizza should taste.
There's a respectable wine list as well, or you can bring your own bottle for a $20
corkage fee.
LA MEZCALERIA
MEXICAN
$$
(1622 Commercial Dr; 5pm-midnight; 20)
The upmarket Mexican brother of Van-
couver's beloved La Taqueria minichain. Expect superb little soft tacos topped with de-
lectable ingredients like pork confit, zarandeado fish and braised beef cheeks. Take a
perch at the long bar and you can also chat with the kind of servers that give friendli-
ness a good name. And don't miss the drinks list: the eyebrow-raising mezcal and
tequila menu is serious.
Handily, you can do tastings here so you can sip on Mexico's finest booze creations
without your head swimming too much.
PALKI RESTAURANT
INDIAN
$$
(
www.palkirestaurant.com
;
1130 Commercial Dr; mains $13-23; 11:30am-2:30pm & 4:30-10pm
Mon-Fri, 11:30am-10pm Fri & Sat, 4:30-10pm Sun; 20)
Don't be discouraged by the drab,
gray-brick exterior of this popular Indian restaurant: inside, it's cozy and welcoming
with a swish, contemporary look. Budget-huggers should check out the weekday all-
you-can-eat buffet ($10.95), but it's worth coming back in the evening for a more con-
