Recently, I had a chance to check out Ping’s Cafe, located at the corner of Main and 11th Street. This place is pretty new – it just opened last Friday. They serve Japanese comfort food, and I must say, the place looks amazing.
Surprisingly, there wasn’t much talk about it before it opened. Even other restaurant owners on Main Street didn’t seem to know about it. It’s like it popped up out of nowhere, quietly and unexpectedly.
The cafe was put together by a group of artists and designers from Vancouver, and you can really see their touch in the decor. The lighting is unique, with lots of lights that look like cuttlefish tubes, and there are about 30 seats arranged in a cozy, high-ceilinged space. The design is pretty cool, with dark grey folded fabric along the seating and big mirrors with birch frames. The tables are a sleek silver-grey, and the walls and bar have a creamy, soothing color.
One of the most eye-catching things inside is a huge painting by Rodney Graham at the back of the room. I heard he might be one of the investors. The front of the cafe has heavy curtains that keep the inside separate from the outside world. From the street, though, the cafe doesn’t look too fancy – the front is a plain beige color with brick, and the windows are mostly covered.
Now, let’s talk about the food. The menu has a lot of small dishes, like kabocha pumpkin croquettes, edamame, and karaage, all priced around $5 to $6. They also have some unique items like “Ping Fries” with mayo and aonori, and a “Ping Dog”, which is a grilled bratwurst with some interesting toppings. The main dishes include things like panko-crusted prawns, miso cod, and ginger pork, with prices ranging from $15 to $18.
For drinks, they have a small selection of wines and saké, plus one rosé. They don’t seem to have cocktails, but they do offer 11 different kinds of beer, including some international options.
The chef is from Japan, and although I haven’t had a chance to try a full meal yet, my friends who have eaten there say it’s really good. It looks like Ping’s Cafe is going to be a popular spot!