Since finding this site, I have been reinspired by so much Chowish wisdom that I missed for years. So, I took a little food tour of Scarborough and enjoyed some great offerings of the GTA’s tastiest region, imho.
Started with a little Diwali celebration at Desimane by Sangeetha. The place was bustling with local celebrants, their foreheads smeared with paint. Very nice all veg thali served on a banana leaf. I hope my photos below show well as this is my first post and I don’t really know what I’m doing. This bottomless 14-item thali was pretty good, but not unlike what I’ve had at Saravaana Bhavam for example. Standouts were the crispy fried onions that went well with everything and the dark slightly bitter thicker curry whose name escapes me.
Next up was Chung Moi for my first post-pando Hakka foray. CM’S hot and sour soup is singular and amazing. Filled with cilantro, crunchy sprouts and redolent of white pepper, with an underlying sweetness. It just works. So good. A bit gloopy, sure; they don’t need all that cornstarch in it. But that’s a relatively trivial criticism. Also had the chilli chicken with gravy, and egg fried rice. Chicken was good quality, mostly thigh in a brown gravy with lots of fresh green chilli. This is my favourite Hakka now that Lin Garden is closed. If LG was open, Chung Moi would probably still be my new fave. $33 and enough for two people.
Next up was some Korean food at Makkal Chon. Needed me some kimchi stew, which I got. I was told that their banchan are really good and numerous, which they are. One of them (a mayonaisey fruit salad?!) wasn’t to my taste, but the banchan were themselves a full meal and included Japchae and toekbokki. It was as good as my go-to, Kimchi Korea House on Dundas near University.
Next was a surprise and a reco from an Uber driver: Atithi. He told me it’s Gujarati although I couldn’t particularly discern how, as it seemed similar to many vegetarian South Indian thalis that I have enjoyed. I made my order and was told to sit and wait. Which I did. For some time. It didn’t look promising, especially considering that the food just had to be ladled from already made food sitting in steam trays. But this little thali was actually very very good. Nice and spicy too. Came with a stack of decent roti too.
And finally stopped in at Lebanese Bakery. Which is… a Lebanese bakery. For some amazing Ful Mademas and their wonderful thin crisp airy pitas. This place is a gem and I’m so glad it’s made it through the pandemic.
That’s it for now. Each of these places are worth a visit, I’d humbly submit.
) green beans, but Chung Moi makes a great rendition of the dish.
