Some time ago Qbit wrote this comprehensive review of East is East. Since then, I have gone a few times over, enjoying it more each time.
One small thing has bothered me about this place, they always ask me after I finish eating, "Would you like some more food?". I always thought this was some sort of upsell which seems totally against the vibe of the waitresses who are really nice, not pushy at all.
One evening after yoga class, which always makes me hungry, I went for a bite at East is East. I was starvin', so I wolfed down my plate in minutes, which is totally out of context here; it's not Uncle Willys. As I licked the last bit of sauce from the plate, I sensed the waitress approaching. It always annoys me when waitresses try to clear your plate before you're done... I don't get it. It must bother me to an unreasonable level, because I'm pretty sure I had my other arm up blocking, as if someone at the next table was trying to copy my answers to a math test or something. I was expecting the waitress to ask me if I was finished, but instead she asked the same question as last time! "Would you like more food?".
Who the hell orders another entree? It wasn't like she was offering me coffee or some sort of rice pudding, she meant more of exactly what I just ate. I'm thinking, "Yeah...sure I want more food... I want the Canucks to win the Stanley Cup too... I want world peace... I want to buy the world a Coke!". Usually I let these things go, but not this time, sarcastically I replied, "Yes...I would very much like more food.".
"Awesome!" she quickly replied and disappeared.
Guess what she came back with? More food! I was shocked. It smelled so good, I knew too that hostility wouldn't get me anywhere in this place. Just like I did hours before in yoga class, I took a deep breath in, but then exhaled with a question, "Uh. do I have to pay for that?", knowing full well this wasn't like asking for another Coke at the Cactus Club.
"Of course not. Refills are included with all the plates."
So there you have it, this place is the BEST, it's better than non stop pop at the Cactus Club, and it IS like Uncle Willy's! Except it's not evil... and I'm not banned from there.
Free refills and great food are not the only AWESOME thing about East is East, they have DONATED THREE GIFT CERTIFICATES to us so you can go and try it for yourself. To find out why I need, so badly, to eat after yoga class, and a chance to win click:
MORE!
OK, so I've mentioned yoga class a bunch of times. Why? Because I live in Vancouver. Right now I'm wearing something from MEC too, and I'm inside. It's just what people do. The truth is I kinda hate yoga class, actually, I don't hate it... it's good for you, but it sometimes feels like having to cross your hands on your desk and be quiet before you get to go for recess, I can't sit still. The other reason is there's just so much stuff in it that I just plain don't get, like where is my third eye point, and what does it do? Speaking of which, remember those magic eye posters in the 90's? It's like a whole class of that, "Nuh uh... nope, I have no idea... what you're talking about.".
Something else is, they always play eastern music, which I enjoy. The problem is though, it's the exact same music they play at all eastern type restaurants, Indian, Persian, or a place like East is East. I always find it soothing at first, but by the time Shavasana rolls around, I'm ready to start a chant of, "BUTTER CHICKEN! CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP! ALU GOBI! CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!' I'm suppose to be letting go, uncluttering my mind, instead I just want curry.
You know what comes next.....
So now that you've heard why I go to East is East, why do you go? Let us know in the comments and you could win one of three $30 gift certificates.
