The Foundation

Credit: Hilary Henegar

While the decor at Main Street’s Foundation is minimalist, the menu is anything but

Approaching The Foundation restaurant on Main Street from the north, you’re greeted by a large mural purposefully painted on the side of the restaurant. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,” it reads, quoting anthropologist Margaret Mead. And so begins the dining experience.

Entering The Foundation one is instantly struck by the minimalist decor. The walls are decorated with meaningful quotes that are sure to inspire many a conversation. The white and steel tables are in sharp contrast to the black and steel chairs. The restaurant is large and open, yet still invites the diner in for some tasty delicacies. Music and conversation fill the air.

The menu offers a wide variety of mouth-watering vegan and vegetarian items. Nachos. Unique salads. Thai curry on quinoa. Molten tofu. Pasta with peanut pesto. And crowd-favourite East Van Town: black beans and stewed bananas in creamy coconut milk. The portions are large and the prices are more than reasonable. But diners beware, line-ups are not unusual and the service can be slow, likely due to the made-to-order practice of the young kitchen.

Open for lunch and dinner, The Foundation is sure to satisfy the most finicky of eaters.

Heather Lochner is a stay at home mother and a freelance writer. She loves combing the neighbourhoods of Vancouver to find locally owned shops and restaurants. Together with her two children, husband and dog, she lives aboard her sailboat in Vancouver. When not at work or school, the Lochners are out cruising the B.C. coast.