More elusive cuisines/dishes [Toronto]

Regional Dining Discussions Ontario
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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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23

There’s 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.

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Here are 4 Maqluba recipes, in case anyone is interested in making it at home.

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24

My go-to place for ‘unusual cuisines’ has always been The Depanneur. It’s more of a ‘Pop-Up’ than a restaurant, with a series of ‘chefs’ presenting their (mostly) home-made dishes.
Typically, the Presenter is an immigrant featuring traditional dishes (but multiple exceptions - it could be any ‘uncommon’ 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 ‘Tibetan New Year’ (this Saturday) and ‘Jamaican (Rasta Pasta)’. The next ‘Indigenous’ event is already sold out.
Both ‘Syrian’ and ‘Afghan’ are on the February schedule.
Details here:

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I haven’t been to the Dep for a while
 good reminder! I loved the meals that they had under the bentway during the pandemic


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26

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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27

Elusive to North America
.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 society
so yeah, you’ll never have any, and never will if things go right. Pretty elusive.

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28

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 MĂ©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 I’ve visited out west are still in business.




There don’t seem to be any Norwegian or Finnish restaurants in southern Ontario. Thunder Bay has several Finnish restaurants.

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29

There is a Native American cafeteria in the Native American Museum in DC. I cannot remember what we had, though.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7dnLPqZebyYWmJnh6

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30

Mitsitam Cafe menu

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31

If you click on the ontario Indigenous cuisine link (lower down on the same post), you’ll find this:
“Though 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.”

Of course, the food may still be authentic.

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Thanks for the information.

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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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34

Ivorian Cuisine in Toronto

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35

Thanks. I’m aware of these two NOLA-style restaurants, but have not ventured out to either. I’d be interested in anyone else’s opinions.

The Ivorian one sounds intriguing as I’ve 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 :grinning:

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" SHIRAKO ’ aka Sperm sec of Cod fish!
Normally found in relatively high-end Japanese restaurants. Was offered as otsumami ( appetizer ) in recent Omakase dinner at Markham’s Sushi Umi.

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