The mantra "quality versus quantity" is an important principle behind small plates, diamond jewellery, and the recent ban on 15-minute express lobotomies. See why taste, bling, and brain surgery share a common goal with today's Groupon: for $15, you get $30 worth of globally-inspired tapas and drinks at Bin 942 on Broadway Street.

Winner of Best Tapas at the 2009 Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards, Bin 942 serves up a multi-award-winning menu of globally-inspired tapatisers —larger than standard tapas, but smaller than an entree — and small plates that are artistically crafted from sustainable, local, and organic ingredients. Owner/chef Gord Martin is a punk-rock front man turned culinary artist who designed Bin 942 to channel the spirit of New York–style wine and tapas bars. Diners can knot their taste buds around a selection from the Tongue Twisters menu, which includes items such as golden beets in a truffle honey glaze ($8) and duck confit poutine ($9). Sharing ensues with tapatisers ($15–$17) such as Kobe-beef meatballs with black-truffle pinot-noir sauce and the prawn and scallop brochette with celeriac and tortellini. Body builders can bulk up on steamed Cortez Island mussels ($15), and greenery grazers can nibble gourmet salads ($10). As a complement to well-layered eats, Bin 942 features hand-picked wines, beers, and spirits to pair with its creative concoctions. The funky interior's dazzling mirrored accents, eclectic artwork, and bright splashes of colour stimulate the eyeballs while sultry music whispers sweet nothings to enticed ears.

Reviews

Bin 942's positive press can be seen under the media link on its website. Yelpers give it a 3.5-star average, and TripAdvisors give it a 3.5-owl-eye average:

• The portobello mushroom dish is also fantastic, with a mingling of expected and unexpected flavours. I truly savored every bite. – Renee C., Yelp
• the chocolate fondue is AMAZING!! – LeillaC, TripAdvisor