At last, our bad Valentines Day dinner karma dies.

It started out less than inspirational.

My husband and I, looking forward to an evening playing dress up, drinking something rather adult and eating well-spiced food at a leisurely, uninterrupted pace made reservations a week ago to finally hit The Great Escape in Cumberland for our annual Valentines date.

We have long adored cupid’s love fest as, one February years ago we met one night, agreed to spend our lives together the next, and officially moved in on, you guessed it, Valentines Day.

And while our love affair with each other roars on, our love affair with food has often suffered a blow on Valentines. First, it was squid-ink rice at a now defunct Seattle eatery. More ink than rice. Blech. The next year, lobster that should not have been cold. The next, Chinese takeout better left on the table.

Then, last year, the bad karma mounted with a meal renown for its disaster factor. So, when we ordered the special at The Great Escape and found ourselves rather disappointed, we thought “Here we go again.”

Ken and I can’t think of a time when we’ve ever returned something to the kitchen. Last night, that changed – and because of it we fell in love with The Great Escape.

Let me start by saying that from the moment you walk in to The Great Escape, you know you’ve discovered the funk factor in the Valley. Very few restaurants in the area can boast a fresh, young, urban crowd matched by a stylish, warm atmosphere. Punctuated by vintage touches including theatre seats (the owners are former Vancouver film-industry vets) in the waiting area and an eclectic collection of old-skool lighting fixtures, this Cumberland eatery creates a buzz of its own along Dunsmuir Avenue that makes you want to park yourself in the window seats with a plate of curry and watch the streets of Cumberland ebb and flow with their notoriously unusual characters.

The staff was wonderfully gracious and humble as we sent the special back then ordered Pork Vindaloo and Chicken Makhani. As the meals came out, we knew that it was worth the wait.

Filled with incredible spice and sauces that proved less heavy than traditional Indian fare, but no less tasty, the pots full of pork and chicken disappeared as we happily lapped up every last drop. The fresh, local, organic tastes were such a great treat mixed in with the cinnamons, cardamoms and curries.

To top it all off, chef and co-owner Nicola Cunha made an extra effort to come out and talk with us after dinner – which gave us the chance to share how excited we were to have had a true dining experience and eat her heart-felt food. Just as her staff, she was both gracious and modest, helping us to feel well-looked after following a meal that was truly second to none in The Valley.

Open for dinner (5 p.m. daily except Monday), The Great Escape is a fantastic spot for a night out away from the kiddos or for the whole family to experience a wide range of Indian standards with a modern twist. You can order the mildest of curries or get the flaming hot, taste test a pile of pakoras or simply nosh on flat bread until your heart is content.

The earlier the better for families, as it does get busy in the evenings with a more date-like atmosphere.

The Great Escape in downtown Cumberland is one can’t-miss in The Valley.