aking a successful restaurant from Kits, changing the name and transplanting it to Main Street works…sometimes; Nigel Pike and Wendy Nicolay have done just that. You see, their funky resto-lounge, Tangerine, in Kitsilano was a well-populated joint and I was more than surprised when I heard that they were closing up shop. To my relief, they quickly resurfaced with a sexy new space, up on Main Street (at 10th Avenue), with a design scheme that’s more than mere spray-can cuteness.

It’s a tough bet to become the new kid on the block on Main Street: the neighbourhood people are fanatically loyal to their fave spots and are a bit hesitant to welcome a new eatery. However, Habit Lounge is a contender, having plowed its way through its first year, adroitly mixing vintage and modern, and reinventing a bygone-era parlor for neo-hipsters. Chef Jacques Thibodeau (Tangerine) has created a tasty set of choices that caters to this eclectic crowd while offering some unique treats of its own.

I visited Habit on a busy Saturday night, luckily arriving just before everyone else had the same idea. It’s not a large restaurant, but spacious enough to not feel crowded. The service is great, with the right amount of discretion and charm, and the atmosphere has a fun buzz.

The menu matches their tagline: “Make it a habit to share.” There are plenty of items that are great for groups of people eating lightly and having a drink. Bread and dips ($9); Moroccan Spiced Chicken Wings ($10); smoked sablefish cakes ($13); tofu, mushrooms and spinach ($9); and carrot and cheese perogies ($10) fill out the options nicely. There are also two platters with meat, which come vegetarian as well. For us veggies, we can be rest assured that our meat-eating friends are behaving too (the menu clearly states that they use “humanely raised meats, eggs and sustainable seafood”).

Most of the people that flock here seem to be regulars, or have been at least once before; that's always a good sign. The vibe is relaxed, brimming with smiles. And, since the decor is all low and lovely, you can shoot a sideways glance at a potential mate from one side of the room to the other. - L.H.