Celebrity chef Vikram Vij has opened the doors to his newest restaurant at 3106 Cambie Street.

The new Vij’s has 85 seats compared to 60 at the old location near the corner of West 11th Avenue and Granville Street. The first Vancouver Vij’s had only 14 seats when it opened in 1994. 

Diners can arrive at the newest establishment at 5 p.m. and the first dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis seven days a week. 

Main courses include beef short ribs in cinnamon and red wine curry ($29), Rajasthani-style spicy goat with mildly spiced vegetables ($28.50), and wine-marinated lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry on turmeric and spinach potatoes ($29.75). 

Vij’s is describing this month’s opening as a “soft launch”. The new restaurant was designed by Marc Bricault, who was inspired to base it on a beautiful Indian jewellery box.