On a rainy Monday why not try something new
No one believed I'd try the Naan "Pizza" with
Roasted Crickets and Paneer.
More than a topic of conversation or bragging right
the "Indian" pizza is an excellent choice. The crispy
critters are just that ;crispy and apparently a source
of protein. They added a crunch to the paneer and zest
to the conversation. A must try!

Finally got to try Rangoli for the first time today. Arrived at 7:00pm on a Saturday evening and only had to wait a few minutes for a two-seater outside, under the covered patio. Although it was mildly cold, the heat lamp and cozy blankets warmed us up. The ambiance was quite nice with plenty of diners outside to keep us company. Simple but modern decor. The dining area inside is quite small and offered little spacing between tables. Probably about 35 seats inside; 15-20 outside. Now onto food...

Hubby and I shared the pakora and cassava root fries. The pakora was a mix of deep fried cauliflower, spinach and onions. Personally, I couldn't distinguish one veggie from the other, but they all tasted good, especially when soaked in this corn curry sauce. The cassava root fries was superb, perfectly fried and tasty when dipped in either the mint sauce or some tangy red sauce (name escapes me...).Hubby had the black chickpeas in curry sauce and I had the lamb in cumin. Not a huge chickpea fan but I must say that they did a great job of downplaying the beanie taste stewed in light coconut curry sauce. My only knock was that no naan was included so there was a lot of wasted sauce. My dish was especially good. The lamb was very tender without losing the texture unique to lamb meat and the sauce was balanced with subtle sweetness and spiciness. For the Indian food purists, the level of heat was probably nil, but for my non-Indian palate, it was just right. The naan included was very good, however, the portion size was paltry with two small slices. All in all, we were stuffed and even had a little lamb curry left over. Chai tea was pretty good although a tad too sweet to my liking.

Value-wise, the individual sized dishes are steals compared to it's more expensive sister restaurant. However, if this restaurant had been on Main St. or in Surrey, the pricing is above average. Being west of Main and catering to a predominantly non-Indian clientele, Rangoli offers good value and is a strong solid - 3.5 if I could average it. $55 for two appies, two mains, and two chai teas - not bad for night out. With a small group, I would try this place again but for large family gatherings, I would go to a traditional Indian restaurant for shared communal eating. Service was very attentive and friendly. No pretentiousness whatsoever.

Recommended

Went for a 1pm lunch and the place wasn't packed full yet so we started off with the tables on either side of us empty though later a pair sat on the one side. It is a little close, but it didn't seem to bother me as much as I thought it would have as the type of place is still cafetaria-like but upperscale & they serve you at the table. Also, they're careful to just bring out one course at a time so as not to overflow the surface of the tiny table.

I'm not sure I'd be ok w/ paying $8.50 for 2 samosas anywhere else, but it seems very natural to do so here & the condiments that come along on the plate is very tasty as well as the beans covering the centre of the dish.

I really enjoyed the Jackfruit entree. It was really juicy & a delight to eat though I'm not sure how it was supposed to go w/ the little mound of chickpea curry. The stewed lamb is a reminder that I don't like lamb as it is too gamey for me, but the sauce seems tasty enough. I gave it a shot since I was amazed by their lamb popsicles (grilled rack of lamb) next door which changed my view on simply made lamb. Most times, it's just stewed lamb that might lose some of that gamey-ness I dislike.

The meeti roti dessert was pretty sweet but still a much better take to the oversweet but seemingly popular sugar-drenched deep fried chewy dough fluff served in most Indian sweets places. The chai is served nicely hot & refillable while the Mango Pineapple Lassi was pretty good without being either too much mango w/o pineapple or vice versa. A good balance overall.

Will undoubtedly be back for me but will still have to lineup next door for the full Vij experience.

A group of us was going to a play around the corner at The Stanley, so we decided to have dinner at Rangoli before the show. We arrived around 6, and were seated right away. We ordered our dinner, and it arrived about 15/20 minutes later. The food was delicious. The service was terrible. The serving staff is pleasant and attentive before you order and while you dine, but once you're finished, if you don't hurry up and get out as soon as you finish your meal, the attitude factor kicks up to fifth gear. We came close to the end of our meals and wondered whether or not we should get more drinks and dessert; we were asked once, and said we were undecided. After that, it was shite service. We were presented with the bill (two minutes AFTER we'd said we hadn't yet decided whether or not we'd have dessert or a digestif), so, disgusted with that, decided to pay, but finish up our remaining drinks and food. Our money certainly was taken right away. Each time one of us put down a glass or finished a last bite, a server was standing there to sweep up our glasses/forks/plates/bowls right away (as in, one of us put something down, and it was snatched up less than ten seconds after it was put down). Not cool. They were obviously trying to send us a message to hurry up and get out. By the time that happened, our party had been there for slightly over an hour; not a long stretch by any means. When we pay at least $30 per person for dinner and a drink or two, I expect that we won't be rushed. I don't care if there are people waiting; we were there before them, and expect to enjoy a meal, unrushed, especially at an establishment or name that prides itself on its service. WE'd already paid the bill, so the tip had already been submitted, but at least two of our party wanted to request the tip BACK because they were so rude, hovering about and sending non-verbal messages to leave. After moving as slowly as possible to finish up our remaining food/drinks, we sluggishy got ready to leave...but not before noticing that one of the servers asked another table of two to please leave because other people were waiting. UNBELIEVABLE. We'd all been to Rangoli before and experienced nothing but great service, but this last visit has indelibly imprinted itself in our minds, and we won't be returning. There are plenty of places for Indian food in Vancouver, and I have never been rushed or made to feel unwelcome at any of the other Indian restaurants I've been to...not even at a $10 buffet on Main Street. I hope the bosses or managers talk to the 'service' staff at Rangoli, because there's no such thing as service there; it's all snot and attitude.

After hearing all the rave about this place we deciced to try this place out. Situated beside their mainstay Vijs in South Granville. Personally IMHO I feel this place is totally overrated. The service was very slow and obnoxious and food was decent at best.

I think I was expecting Indian food, and Rangoli is more fusion than anything else. The food here is toned down and is catering to the south granville crowd. Meat was a bit tough in the curry. There is an interesting mix of mild flavors, but not my cup of tea. What disappointed me the most was the naan. WTF? I could not believe they were passing off those gluey pita looking things as naan. You can find more authentic naan at Curry Express for goodness sake! Lets end on a positive note: the mango lassi was very enjoyable.

Been to Rangoli a number of times, and its up there in terms of places to grab a bite while out. Even if not in the area, I make sure the route takes me that way. Try to go at off-peak hours, late lunch/early dinner time seems to be the sweet spot. If its just for two, then you shouldn't have to wait long any time, but just giving you a heads up. The food is great. Similar in style to Vij's this is Indian food redux. My favourites include the spicy pulled pork, black-eyed pea masala, pakoras (whatever kind they have are outstanding) and the talipia and mussels I just had the other day were great. You can do a fancy lunch or good dinner here, though thats the only time the amibiance can go either way. Not a lot of room, nor particualrly polished, this place reminds me of an upscale Cafetria, not that I am complaining about what they are serving up. Dishes are big enough you can skip the shared treats, which makes it more affordable, or my personal favourite is one starter and one main for two.

Lunch at Rangoli is always a delight. Although it's a bit cramped and noisy (so cramped a waitress once spilled a dish on my purse!), the food more than makes up for it.

The portobello mushroom dish is especially amazing. The paneer paired with it is surprisingly good, and the naan is like candy.

The takeout items are definitively a notch below, it's much more worth it to eat at the cafe.

Excellent service and good food. I questioned the price initially, "$12 for cafeteria style food?" But don't be deceived, the food is excellent and the servers are friendly and attentive. We were constantly refilled with water, tea, naan. Just head on over if the line up at Vij's is too long, a good solid place all round.

The food here is amazing. The flavours and sauces are by far the best of any restaurant of this type in Vancouver. The take-out food is great too. Very simple in the boil-a-bag over a bowl of rice. Great service - friendly owner and staff.

Thanks!