EXP Restaurant + Bar review

This article was published on March 23, 2013 and could contain information that has since changed or become out-of-date.
Please be mindful when reading, commenting on, or sharing this article.
EXP Restaurant + Bar
Various liquors at EXP Restaurant + Bar

Vancouver’s gaming scene just got a new level to explore; so grab some power-ups and top up your stamina at EXP Restaurant + Bar. On the edge of the downtown core and a few steps up from the corner Hamilton Street and West Pender Street (309 West Pender Street, to be exact), EXP is a unique establishment to chow down on digitally-themed grub and knock back a couple of drinks with your 2P (or 3P, 4P and so on).

My friends had been here before and enjoyed before finally deciding to include me for a late Friday night dinner. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but a neon green Hylian crest in the corner of the window immediately gives it away. EXP isn’t a large location, so the entrance was pretty crowded, occupied with a life-sized Assassins Creed statue and demo kiosk surrounded by people playing Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo while they waited for a table. Behind the bartenders at the front, bottles of liquor lined the shelves topped off with an array of collectible figures. The interior is pretty dark save for the screens lining the walls and the giant projector illuminating the back wall.

Once we got our table, our bubbly server jumped over and handed out menus and unlocked the evening’s specials. The meal menu wasn’t exactly varied, just selections of burgers, sandwiches, fries, salads, popcorn and other finger foods. There’s even vegetarian and gluten-free options. Being a Legend of Zelda fan, I was going to go for the Triforce, a trifecta of beef, chicken breast and bacon; but settled instead on a much simpler Chocobo Chicken Burger. After I finished placing my order, my friends chimed in and ordered me two drinks: a Squirtle (a shot with Captain Morgan’s, Curacao and Malibu) and a Thundara. If you enjoy sweet drinks, grab the Thundara: Smirnoff vodka, Curacao, Schnapps, 7-Up, soda in a tumbler lined with pop rocks.

When my Chocobo Chicken Burger arrived, I was a little disappointed with the size considering the $12 price. Had I known the burgers weren’t all that big, I would’ve gathered the courage for the Triforce instead. That aside, the burger was still yummy with a crunchy-coated chicken breast, shredded lettuce, covered with a tangy honey mustard and mayo that ended dripping down my fingers. The shoestring fries on the side of my plate were crisp and slightly salty — just perfect.

We also ordered an “Epic” bowl of pizza flavoured popcorn. Due to a large group that had reserved the back half of the restaurant, it took a little longer for it to show up at our table. But when it did, it was pretty epic; covered in grated cheese and shredded pepperoni. Even better, it was one of the night’s specials; so it only came to $4 (or $1 when split amongst our group).

In between our drinks and food, we were treated to remixes of classic game tunes while the screen next to our table flashed varying YouTube clips of different FMVs, promos, and fan videos.

As EXP Restaurant + Bar is in their “beta mode”, they still have some things to work on, like their prices and burger size, but have a great start so far. For a Friday evening, it was pretty busy, which is a good sign. I look forward to returning again soon and going for the Triforce. Check out their web site for menus and upcoming events.

 

Did you find a typographical or factual error in this article? Please let us know!