Today we were at Victoria Drive to visit Neighbours’ most recent location. I have been to one of their previous reincarnations, but this was my first time here at their newest.
They are an Italian restaurant owned and operated by a Greek family, so their menu has just as many Greek offerings as its does Italian. Expect pasta, pizzas, rice pilaf, and all the grilled meats in between.
They are known for their friendly service, generous portions, and home style cooking; and that has not changed. Their name truly epitomizes what they are about, bringing family and friends together for food.
Their brand is recognizable through their logo, which is a caricature of their patriarch, the now deceased owner of Neighbours. His daughter now carries on the legacy, that pays homage to her father through this logo. It is visible own their sandwich board and banners. It appears on their welcome mat, and on their menu. They even have wax paper that their garlic bread is served on, polka dotted with his face with all smiles.
The restaurant has been operating since 1982, and within that time they have moved trice. This is their third year at this location.
All their sauces, dough and dips are made in-house. Anything they don’t make themselves, they source from local businesses, which is the case for their pita and pasta.
We began our meal with some cocktails. The Purple Haze gets its colour from Empress Gin, Creme de Violette, Egg White, and Lavender.
The Espresso Martini is the popular mid day pick me up with Vodka, Espresso Vodka, Baileys, Crème de Cacao, and Cold Brew.
For something more complimentary to food, the White Sangria is lovely. The white wine version includes Apricot Brandy, their Homemade Ice Tea, Fresh Citrus, Mango, and Pineapple.
They also do what they call “Shakin’ Margaritas with your choice of flavour. This is the classic Lime with salted rim, Tequila and Triple Sec.
They also have their own in house beer, brewed and canned by North Point Brewing.
Overall, a decent bar program, but nothing inventive or all that unique to them, which is similar to their food menu. Plenty that is familiar and popular, done historically well.
I was impressed by how large the Kalamari rings were. Deep fried marinated squid, served with tzatziki. One piece per bite was plenty, where you are able to enjoy the chew of the squid meat past the airy breading. This was gratifying to eat, especially with the extra serving of their homemade tzatziki on the side. Not only could we glob on as much as we wanted to our heart’s content, but we had enough to have with the pizza in lieu of Ranch and over the rice and potato pilaf below.
The Tzatziki was house made with shredded cucumbers mixed with thick Greek yogurt, garlic, dill, spices and olive oil.
I found the Athenian Black Tiger Prawns too saucy with not enough prawns sautéed in marinara sauce with green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. All finished with white wine and feta cheese. Served with garlic bread that was much needed as a base to balance, and to use as a scoop to dip into.
The Neighbour’s Classic Special is what I would recommend if you are only getting one dish. A 6oz New York Steak with garlic butter mushrooms, spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, and tossed salad for only $31.95. The has been a staple and customer favourite since 1982, and I can see why. There was plenty of variety in this. You can’t get a single steak for that price anywhere else, let alone all these sides. Seasoned in a simple salt and pepper, the flavour came from everything else; like the simple, slightly sweet, and saucy noodles. There is extra parmesan cheese on the table for self service, should you need more.
Although if I can only get one entree, it would be the Roast Lamb. New Zealand shoulder of lamb marinated in an array of spices and slowly roasted to tenderness. The meat was easily removed from bone, a heavy contrast against the barely cooked roasted potato. I also liked how the lamb was allowed to sit in its own juices, instead of having it pool and flood the crisp rice pilaf. This was a well rounded meal, alongside the side of Greek salad for freshness, and a generous glob of tzatziki sauce that brought it all together.
I was equally impressed with the Chicken Parmesan. Lightly breaded and pan-fried to a golden brown. Then topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and fresh tomatoes. This was all baked to lovely crisp with a stringy cheese layer. It had a nice acidity with a similar sauce to the spaghetti and prawns above. The sauce was nice to have and help moisten the drier bits of the chicken cutlet.
This was made into a full meal with a personal sized lasagna as a side. It had everything I want when I crave a lasagna. Soft sheets of noodles, tangy acidity, sweet tomato, savoury meat, and plenty of cheese to wrap my fork around. Once again its sauce too was interchangeable to the one on the chicken parm.
The Baked Cheese Tortellini Alfredo was a nice white sauce option. Cheese stuffed tortellini in a creamy alfredo sauce, baked with mozzarella cheese. The bits of chicken that carried the flavour of the Alfredo and the dried strips of zesty sun dried tomato offered a change of taste and texture. As a plate this was a hearty and filling meal, but I would have liked the Alfredo done up simple over fettuccine and with garlic bread instead.
They also have pizza and if you purchase more than one, they come served double stacked on a two tiered stand. Each level with its own spatula to pick up and serve. Each a medium sized round with thick chewy crust and a soggier base due to the sheer weight of all the toppings. These were decked out pizzas and a couple of slices ate like a meal. They don’t have pizza dips, but you can use their tzatziki just the same.
Although we didn’t have the stomach space for it, we still indulged in dessert. They have coffee and hot chocolate regular or done up boozy. The latter is named after the owner Mitsy as her “Special Coffee” with Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Baileys, and Amaretto. A hot beverage topped with whipped cream, cocoa powder, and sprinkles.
And for a dessert that you chew they have a large slice of New York Cheesecake available. This is another classic flavoured like vanilla and topped with a homemade strawberry and faspberry compote.
For something more punchy look to their Salted Caramel Cold Brew. Rich chocolate espresso cake with espresso and salted caramel cream cheese mousse. Topped with another layer of light and fluffy white cake. Then finished with vanilla-espresso icing. This is like one of their caffeinated beverages, but in cake form.
In summary, nothing from their lengthy menu is surprising, everything is exactly as you expected to be: homey, classic, and comforting. This is how I wish Cheesecake Etc tasted, serving the kind of food that you bring a family to, to ensure everyone will be able to find something they want to eat and would like to.
Neighbour’s Restaurant & Pizza House
5108 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5P 3V2
(604) 327-1456
neighboursrestaurant.ca
