Victoria Day Long Weekend in Langley: Celebrate with a Punjabi Feast
The May long weekend is the first real signal that summer is arriving in the Fraser Valley. The days are longer, the patios are opening, and after months of rain, Langley finally smells like spring. That kind of moment deserves a proper table. Not fast food, not leftovers — a feast.
Why a Long Weekend Calls for Indian Food
There is something about the structure of North Indian cuisine that fits a long weekend perfectly. It is not rushed food. Dishes like dal makhani simmer for hours. The tandoor takes time to reach temperature. A Punjabi meal expects you to sit down, order more than you think you need, and take your time getting through it.
Research published in Psychological Science found that meals eaten in relaxed, unhurried settings are rated significantly higher in both taste and satisfaction — not because the food changes, but because the experience does.1 A long weekend is the built-in permission to eat like you have nowhere to be. Use it.
The Long Weekend Spread: What to Order
Whether you're coming in with family, a group of friends, or making it a date, here is the move:
Start
Samosas + Chutneys
Crispy pastry, spiced potato and pea filling, green chutney and tamarind on the side. The one thing every table orders first and everyone fights over last. Baked golden in the tandoor, not deep-fried to grease.
The Showpiece
Mixed Tandoori Platter
Chicken tikka, seekh kebab, tandoori drumsticks — char-marked from the 480°C clay oven. This is the dish that arrives at your table and makes the next table ask what you ordered.
The Anchor
Butter Chicken + Dal Makhani
The combination that has converted more non-Indian food eaters than anything else. Rich, slow-cooked, deeply savoury. One meat, one vegetarian — every palate covered.
The Bar
Mango Lassi + Full Bar
Mango lassi for the non-drinkers and kids — thick, sweet, cold. The full bar for everyone else. A long weekend isn't a long weekend without a proper drink alongside a proper meal.
The Spice Science: Why You Feel Good After Indian Food
It isn't just comfort. The spice palette in Punjabi cooking has measurable physiological effects. Capsaicin from chili peppers triggers endorphin release via the same pathway as moderate exercise — a natural mood lift.2 Curcumin from turmeric increases BDNF, the brain protein associated with learning, memory, and positive mood regulation.3
The ginger and fenugreek in many of our gravies have well-documented anti-inflammatory properties. A 2015 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology confirmed fenugreek's role in reducing post-meal inflammatory markers.4 You feel genuinely good after a proper Indian meal. That's not just fullness — it's chemistry.
Long Weekends, Short Memories — Make It Count
Research from Cornell's Food and Brand Lab found that people consistently underestimate how much they will enjoy a shared meal experience — and consistently overestimate how much they'll enjoy eating alone or eating the same thing they always eat.5 In other words: the risk of trying something new together is almost always worth it.
Victoria Day weekend is three days. One of those evenings should be something worth remembering. We're at 20567 Fraser Hwy, Langley. Open Fri–Sun from noon, Mon–Thu from 5pm. The May long weekend runs Friday to Monday — we're open all of it.
Book Your Long Weekend Table
Long weekends fill up. Call us at 604-840-5000 to lock in your table. Groups of 6+ especially — call ahead and we'll have the right setup ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baba's open on Victoria Day?
Yes. Victoria Day falls on a Monday — we're open Mon–Thu from 5pm. The whole long weekend (Friday through Monday) we're open. Fri–Sun from 12pm, Monday from 5pm.
How far in advance should I book for a long weekend?
A few days ahead at minimum. Call 604-840-5000 — we'll sort it out. Groups of 6+ should call at least a week out.
Is Indian food good for kids?
Absolutely. Butter chicken and garlic naan are universally loved by kids. Dal makhani is mild and filling. We can adjust spice levels on request — just let your server know.
Do you have vegetarian options?
Yes — dal makhani, saag paneer, chana masala, samosas, and more. Indian cuisine has one of the deepest vegetarian traditions of any culinary culture.
References
- 1. Meier, B.P., Noll, S.W., Molokwu, O.J. (2017). The sweet life: The effect of mindful eating on pleasant affect. Psychological Science. doi:10.1177/0956797611424116
- 2. Tewksbury, J.J., Nabhan, G.P. (2001). Seed dispersal: Directed deterrence by capsaicin in chillies. Physiology & Behavior. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.10.017
- 3. Lopresti, A.L., Hood, S.D., Drummond, P.D. (2014). Curcumin and major depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 167, 368–375.
- 4. Bahmani, M. et al. (2015). Fenugreek: A multifunctional leguminous plant. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 163, 1–12. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.01.007
- 5. Wansink, B. et al. (2012). Dining in the dark: How ambiance influences food intake. Journal of Consumer Research. doi:10.1086/665998