There is one place called Khmer Thai on St Clair West.
https://khmerthai.com/menu/ I used to visit a previous location 25 years ago.
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That dish from Dubai looks similar to a Palestinian dish that is pretty common even in the US, Maqluba. Basically upside down rice, veg, pine nuts and meat. Love that dish! I have only had it at a Falls Church VA place called Jerusalem, but it was outstanding. It is described as being of the Levant, so it has roots all over.
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Thereās a nice version of Maqluba at Damas, a Syrian restaurant in Montreal. I have made Maqluba twice, most recently with my leftover goose from Christmas.
Here are 4 Maqluba recipes, in case anyone is interested in making it at home.
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My go-to place for āunusual cuisinesā has always been The Depanneur. Itās more of a āPop-Upā than a restaurant, with a series of āchefsā presenting their (mostly) home-made dishes.
Typically, the Presenter is an immigrant featuring traditional dishes (but multiple exceptions - it could be any āuncommonā cuisine). These are pe-paid events, promoted about a month ahead for a maximum of about 30 people.
My most recent attendances were for Eritrean and Indigenous cuisines, and I am already booked for āTibetan New Yearā (this Saturday) and āJamaican (Rasta Pasta)ā. The next āIndigenousā event is already sold out.
Both āSyrianā and āAfghanā are on the February schedule.
Details here:
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I havenāt been to the Dep for a whileā¦ good reminder! I loved the meals that they had under the bentway during the pandemicā¦
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I bought The Depanneur cookbook at The Good Egg last month. Lots of interesting recipes from cooks and chefs who have run dinners there.
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Elusive to North Americaā¦.seems like partly an immigration and where people settle question, or regional native/first nations cuisine, like Ohlone Cafe in Berkeley. Or Greenlandic cuisine, found one restaurant in the US, in Tampa. Ultimately my guess for most elusive cuisine or dish would be from a native tribe in the Amazon that has not made contact with modern societyā¦so yeah, youāll never have any, and never will if things go right. Pretty elusive.
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In Toronto, in Ottawa, and in Wakefield, QC, there have been modern First Nations restaurants.
I think Tea-n- Bannock might be the only First Nations establishment in Toronto right now. https://www.teanbannock.ca/
Sweetgrass Bistro in Ottawa closed quite a few years ago. It did manage to be in business for a long time.
I guess the last time I had some modern First Nations cuisine at a bistro located inside a museum in Ottawa.
There was a MĆ©tis- run coffee shop in Toronto, which I visited fairly often, which closed last summer.
Most did not survive the Pandemic. There was a modern Inuit restaurant in Toronto for a while.
There used to be some First Nations restaurants near Saskatoon and Calgary.
I am not sure if the ones Iāve visited out west are still in business.
ā¦
There donāt seem to be any Norwegian or Finnish restaurants in southern Ontario. Thunder Bay has several Finnish restaurants.
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There is a Native American cafeteria in the Native American Museum in DC. I cannot remember what we had, though.
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If you click on the ontario Indigenous cuisine link (lower down on the same post), youāll find this:
āThough not Indigenous-owned, the seasonal menu features ingredients sourced from sustainability-conscious local producers and incorporates contemporary and traditional dishes like bison burgers, elk stew, grilled trout and tea.ā
Of course, the food may still be authentic.
Thanks for the information.
This place is also taking part in Winterlicious
I keep meaning to try takeout from this place on Scarlett Road on the West Side
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Ivorian Cuisine in Toronto
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Thanks. Iām aware of these two NOLA-style restaurants, but have not ventured out to either. Iād be interested in anyone elseās opinions.
The Ivorian one sounds intriguing as Iāve never had that cuisine before.
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I am also intrigued by the Ivorian restaurant. Happy to see some veg options too. Would love to hear some feedback when you go 
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" SHIRAKO ā aka Sperm sec of Cod fish!
Normally found in relatively high-end Japanese restaurants. Was offered as otsumami ( appetizer ) in recent Omakase dinner at Markhamās Sushi Umi.
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Chilean
Empanada Company in Long Branch, for Chilean empanadas
As far as I know, Rosa Chilena, Jumbo Empanadas, Empanada Company and Completo are the only places serving Chilean food in Toronto right now
Possibly also a stand at the Plaza Latina, the Food Court at 9 Milvan Dr. The vendors change and I donāt seem a listing.
ā¦ā¦.
Ecuadorian
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/plaza-latina-ecuadorian-1.6623114
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Dr John, for Cajun/Creole I quite like Upper Beaches Bourbon House on St Clair at Midland. Just a little hole in the wall, but the service and cooking is good. Judy, their server, should win an award for best restaurant employee in Scarborough.
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