Gorilla Food in Vancouver

February 25, 2010 · 42 comments

As I have mentioned before, my (future) in-laws are completely supportive and respectful of my vegan lifestyle.  So much so, that they did research before we headed to Vancouver and had a perfect lunch spot all picked out.

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Gorilla Food is right near Waterfront (where the Olympic rings and torch is), so we took the Skytrain there and then walked the few blocks to the restaurant. 

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Cute no?  Despite the tree going through the ceiling, the atmosphere was cozy and the staff was really friendly (like the rest of the Canadians we encountered).  The lady who took our order even lived in Brooklyn for a few years before relocating to Vancouver. 

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Most of you won’t be surprised by the fact that I chose the Falafel Wrap.  It is described as a romaine lettuce wrap filled with spicy seed and veggie falafel balls on a bed of zucchini hummus and topped with a seasoned tahini sauce and grainless tabouli.

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YUM!  The tabouli was very salsa-y, so it kinda reminded me of a falafel wrap with a Mexican twist.  Like a falafel taco.  I dig. 

Kyle and his dad both got the Southern Fire stacked burgers, which came with two protein packed walnut-hempseed veggie burger patties and assorted toppings.

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How impressive is that presentation!! 

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They were served on a veggie-flax seed bun, which Kyle let me taste.  I wish I lived in Vancouver to try everything on the menu.

Kyle’s mom got the Main St. Monkey sandwich with avocado mash-up, zucchini hummus, tangee olive tapenade, sprouts, tomato slices, and cucumber.

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Her sammie was served in a curry squash bread, and also looked pretty spectacular.

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We had quite a few treats to choose form at the end of our meals…

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We decided to get a couple of Chocolate Almond Pecan cookies to split.  Their cookies are gluten and sugar free and are made in a dehydrator from only soaked seeds, nuts and fruit!!

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Oh, and they taste really good.

I also got a Cinnamon Almond Goji Crunch thingy for the road.

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Which I enjoyed while cheering on team USA :)

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{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Mandiee February 25, 2010 at 1:43 am

i’m in food heaven just imagining zucchini hummus. is combining two of my favorite things even legal? apparently in canada it is!
i’m so happy you had a wonderful time in vancouver! have a lovely day :)
xox

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2 Morgan February 25, 2010 at 1:55 am

Holy mother of pearl. I am going to Vancouver NOWSKIES to get one of the falafel wraps for then and one of the stacked burgers for later.

Maybe restaurants like Gorilla Food are more common in larger cities, but I’ve never seen anything like it in Ohio. Maybe I’ll just have to start one.

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3 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:42 am

hahaha…”holy mother of pearl” – i am totally stealing that phrase. love it.

if you open a store in ohio i just might have a reason to visit. maybe.

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4 Andrea of Care to Eat February 25, 2010 at 1:58 am

Chris and I have talked about going to Vancouver for our anniversary. Well, now I HAVE to go!

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5 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:43 am

yes. vancouver is SOOOO cute.

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6 Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine February 25, 2010 at 2:53 am

Looks like an amazing vegan meal- the presentations are incredible! And I’m in love with any vegan bakery :) Glad the in-laws are so supportive!

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7 Cole February 25, 2010 at 3:18 am

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I am so jealous of your trip to Vancouver. It looks like you’re having a blast

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8 Marina February 25, 2010 at 4:23 am

So cool you are at the Olympics!! I would’ve loved to see the figure skating live! Have fun!

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9 Adam February 25, 2010 at 4:55 am

You wouldn’t believe how jealous i am! If only every part of Canada had those kind of places… Kyle’s parents seem like they are really cool people! If my dad supported my vegan-ness as much as he supports my sister’s clothes addiction, i would be a happy dude… Hopefully my future fiance’s rents will dig the veggies… It’s my only hope:)

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10 Jenn (eating bender) February 25, 2010 at 5:15 am

I’m turning green with envy over here! The trip to Vancouver looks amazing…and Gorilla Food, even more mouthwatering ;) Those Chocolate Almond Pecan cookies look so delicious!

Keep on having an amazing time there, Elise!! Love it!!

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11 Lara (Thinspired) February 25, 2010 at 5:48 am

Wow. Your (future) in-laws sound awesome! You’re one lucky girl!

GO USA! :)

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12 jqlee February 25, 2010 at 6:56 am

That’s so sweet of them to consider you. Clearly, you’re marrying into an amazing family :) but you already knew that.

The food at that cafe looks so good, not only taste-wise but it’s presented really well too, nice and clean.

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13 Tara February 25, 2010 at 7:03 am

Those burgers look to die for!

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14 welshsarah February 25, 2010 at 8:18 am

Oh how I wish that I lived in Vancouver, the food looks amazing. Yay for gluten-free cookies! :) My parents-in-law are good with my whole gluten-free thing but they haven’t got there with the vegan thing yet. There’s time though.

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15 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:44 am

how funny…seems the gluten free thing is much more difficult to master, but at least they are trying, right?

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16 ksgoodeats February 25, 2010 at 1:55 pm

I love how supportive your future in laws are! I’ll bet Team USA smelled the cinnamon from your ‘for the road’ treat and that’s why they won. Oh and the festive nails helped too!

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17 Katie February 25, 2010 at 2:36 pm

YUM… I don’t know what looks better, the falafel or the burger stack!

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18 samantha February 25, 2010 at 3:30 pm

i wish wish i could find a great vegan/vegetarian restaurant in dc. gotta keep looking!

so awesome how supportive your future in laws are.

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19 Syd February 25, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Oh yum. I’ve loved this place since I first discovered them via a Vancouver Film School video on YouTube a couple years ago. I think that was responsible for my eventual dietary change to raw which has been the best thing I’ve ever done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc5UoW39p2o

Thanks for all the great pictures.

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20 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:46 am

wow. COOL! thanks for the link.

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21 Angharad February 25, 2010 at 4:25 pm

Isn’t Vancouver awesome?! I loved it. I was also mildly obsessed with Quatchi and actually have the little fluff ball on a key chain from a secret santa gift. Win.

The vegan monkey gorilla place looks awesome too – wish I had found that!

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22 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:46 am

vancouver is so fun, and such a cute, friendly city. i really loved it.

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23 Gracie @ Girl Meets Health February 25, 2010 at 4:35 pm

Whenever I see food from vegetarian/vegan restaurants on blogs, it looks SO. GOOD. Why can’t I find these restaurants around me?! Maybe I’m just not looking hard enough…?

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24 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:47 am

have you tried searching on http://www.happycow.net or http://www.vegguide.org they are pretty helpful sites.

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25 Holly February 25, 2010 at 4:42 pm

that is adorable that the hubs’ parents are so supportive! it makes you so appreciative you are marrying into that kind of family, because people aren’t always so lucky.

i will take one of each dish please.

and yay for USAAAAAAAA!

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26 schacalieu February 25, 2010 at 5:43 pm

Oh wow! That place looks amazing! If I ever get out to Vancouver, I am definitely stopping there. I love falafels!!!

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27 ethel February 25, 2010 at 6:54 pm

OMG Eclaire! all of your photos make me so hungry! mmm…very deliciioso sounding. I love when food is plated so beautifully. I feel like it tastes THAT much better when it’s all pretty like that.

p.s. i sooo need a better camera so i can take photos of my meal and have you oogle over it…hehe

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28 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:49 am

a good camera will change everything…seriously, suddenly food looks even MORE beautiful :)

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29 BroccoliHut February 25, 2010 at 9:57 pm

Wow, awesome cafe!! I would totally dig it not only for the flavor factor but also for the presentation–I love to prettify my food:)

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30 Alene February 26, 2010 at 12:18 am

Where’s the news you promised us?????? I’m waiting with bated breath here!!!!

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31 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:51 am

first of all, its not what you think it is (sadly)…that news will be coming soon though, i hope. and youll hear me screaming from here before you read about it on the blog. trust.

second, the news is up and posted now. sorry to leave you hanging.

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32 Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) February 26, 2010 at 8:57 am

“How impressive is that presentation!! “–
Extremely!!!!! Wow. That never happens to me!

Those raw vegan GF, sugar Free cookies..holy crap, i want one!

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33 Jenna February 26, 2010 at 1:18 pm

Looks wicked good-

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34 Dan February 26, 2010 at 7:58 pm

The southern fire stack burgers look awesome! I’ll have to stop by Gorilla Food next time we’re in Vancouver.

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35 Quinn February 26, 2010 at 10:24 pm

Get me to Vancouver stat. What an awesome experience! And the food? Looks and sounds amazing – there seems to be something to please everyone. Enjoy the rest of your time there!

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36 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:52 am

soooo awesome. i want to go back already!

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37 Gabriela (froyolover) February 27, 2010 at 12:14 am

WOW!
A vegan restaurant in Vancouver! And a good one!
That´s awesome :D
Loved absolutely all of the plates – yours looked like the best! :)
Have a great weekend!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela

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38 Serena February 27, 2010 at 12:58 am

What a cute Café. :) Sounds like you’re having an amazing time in Canada!

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39 Lauren February 26, 2010 at 10:13 pm

ahhhhhhh your picture of Gorilla Food reminded me of my time there :)
i had the exact same raw burger, too. it was AMAZING.
i’m so glad you had a good time there – don’t you just LOVE vancouver?!

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40 elise February 27, 2010 at 11:52 am

YES!!!!

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41 Carbzilla February 27, 2010 at 2:53 pm

What are the chances I’ll remember this place when we head up in August – I’m writing it down RIGHT now!

Yum!

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42 Kait March 1, 2010 at 1:29 pm

Hey!
Im a blog lurker but just wanted to comment – I live in Vancouver and had never heard of this place – I’m definitely checking it out this weekend… Thanks for the new finds!

Also – love the blog!

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