Being cooped up in my tiny duplex for five months during self-isolation has given me travel FOMO like never before. I’ve been itching to book a flight to a beautiful tropical destination, lay out in the sun and experience authentic cultural cuisine. The next best thing since as my travelling options are limited? Restaurants.
Due to limited social interaction (fuck you Covid-19 for interfering with my bag), Le Petit Vibe is not allowing customers to dine in just yet, so my boyfriend and I ate in the car (but they will be reopening dining in two weeks’ time). Taking a look at the menu, it’s so very easy to spot the Hawaiian and Filipino influence in not only the artwork and designs used, but the dishes offered. Each plate is accompanied by a photo of the country of origin’s flag. With affordable prices, vegan options and sides of rice, macaroni salad and veggies, there is something for everybody at Le Petit Vibe!
We started off our food baecation with The Hawaiian North Shore Shrimp, which according to the host, was shrimp fried in a garlic sauce. Crispy, golden brown, and served on sticky white rice, the shrimp were subtly spiced. The saltiness from the garlic butter met beautifully with the gentle sweetness from the macaroni salad. This pleased me because even though mac salad seems like the easiest side to make, most people would be surprised by how badly it can come out. A good macaroni salad does not overpower the main meal, it should not be too watery or too sweet. Le Petit Vibe finds a harmonious balance, bringing flavour and comfort with this simple side. Another important notice I took from Uptown’s hidden gem was the freshness of the food when our second meal was brought out. The Loco Moco is a traditional Filipino dish of a beef patty adorned with an egg and gravy on top. That patty was fresh off the grill, and it was steaming! I don’t know about you, but one thing I can’t stand is an undercooked or overcooked patty. Beef is such a thick food that I often find myself fighting with it to eat and enjoy it. Le Petit Vibe’s Loco Moco was cooked to perfection and the beef was so soft that it almost melted in my mouth. Most of the seasoning came from the brown gravy paired with the fried egg, which my Filipino-Canadian boyfriend blissfully reminisces as homely. These dishes are humbly priced at 14.99$ CAD (North shore shrimp) and 13.99$ CAD (Loco Moco), so grab your choice of the many sodas offered or a bottle of Red Tiger beer as a drink. Still hungry? Le Petit Vibe’s got you on extras! Indulge in their musubi spam (a spam sushi), lumpia (Filipino spring rolls) or grab a dole whip (pineapple sorbet) for dessert.
If you’re looking for a cool place to take your food vacation and listen to good music, look no further than Le Petit Vibe. You will be swept off your feet by their warm staff, quality ingredients, and spices that bring a modern twist while preserving Hawaiian and Filipino culture. Le Petit Vibe is currently closed due to maintenance issues, but it will be up and running again in no time.
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