Ivo Staiano and Jay Antony know the restaurant business. Ivo made his first foray into the industry when he was 17 as a waiter at Earl’s. By 23, he opened the Urban Well. He conceived and launched, then sold two more iconic Vancouver establishments before joining forces with Jay, who ran DV8, a staple of the city for nearly two decades, to open what Ivo calls “a personal and logical evolution” in their journey as indie restaurateurs.
This time, they wanted to open a restaurant that was more than a restaurant. They wanted to open something reflective of their growth and values in the industry. A place that paid tribute to tasty comfort food, invited socializing in a communal atmosphere, and supported local farmers and vendors. Above all, it had to be totally vegetarian and vegan. On that foundation, they skipped the meat, and opened Meet on Main.
Chefs at Meet on Main cook may cook meat-free, organic meals, but they’re no strangers to the mouth-watering powers of the deep fryer. In this laidback, diner-style establishment, warm comfort foods like crispy yam fries, burgers of all sorts, vegan mac n’ cheese, rice bowls with fried tofu and other goodies are perfect nosh when watching the game with friends.
The first thing you’ll see when you enter this hip Mount Pleasant establishment is people –lots and lots of them, seated at long, communal tables or packed-in at singles, an arrangement that facilitates chance meetings and lively discussions. Warm, gluten-free comfort plates such as vegan mac n’ cheese and meat-free burgers with hand-cut fries are best enjoyed with craft beers and local wines. And don’t forget to glance around Meet’s cheeky décor as you do; you may catch the last scene from The Wedding Singer on the old TV above the bar.
Everything on the menu at this Mount Pleasant staple can be categorized as vegetarian comfort food. As a result, choosing from their extensive selections can be a challenge. Luckily, Meet on Main offers a range of unforgettable veggie burgers to suit all tastes. I recommend the mac-and-cheese burger: a house-made veggie patty smothered in vegan macaroni cheese, pickled jalapeños and two crispy onion rings.