Restaurant Porn is a regular column of daydreams presented as a means to introduce Vancouver diners and designers to concepts, looks, and fully-formed ideas that they might draw an inkling of inspiration from. We do our best to pair the foreign rooms with local addresses so as to let everyone in on the daydream.

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(via) Small, casual, unlicensed restaurants are tricky things in this expensive day and prohibitive age. In order to succeed in Vancouver they must enjoy cheap rent, constant volume and quick turnover — an elusive holy trinity if ever there was one. As a consequence the pre-Cafe Medina all-day breakfast concept has been on the wane. It would be great if a new wave of them could somehow find refuge in our residential neighbourhoods!

WHAT IT IS: Common Room x Ari — a small (seats about 20 by the looks of it), highly functional third wave coffee spot and all-day breakfast eatery with a tiny kitchen bar. In addition to house croissants, brownies, waffles, pork pies and other assorted baked goods, they offer a set menu of Thai dishes such as moo gratiem (fried pork with garlic) and gang kiew waan (green curry). Designed by Thai firm party/space/design.

WHERE IT IS: Ari, a trendy residential neighbourhood in Bangkok, Thailand (home to lots of interesting restaurants, cafes and boutiques). From what I’ve read of the area, think modern Kits (ie. money without a hippy past).

WHERE WE WISH IT WAS: On a high-trafficked residential spot somewhere north of 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, like the southeast corner of Yew & Cornwall. If it had to replace the Starbucks there, so be it.

WHY WE WISH IT WAS THERE: Because it’s adorable and I’m still imagining the smell. Also, more importantly, Kitsilano – particularly this strip of it – thrives on constant regeneration, and there’s always more room for Thai, even if the best Thai restaurant in Canada is just up the street.

photos by: F Sections