For lunch buffets...this is KING....what else do you call 3 FLOORS of lunch buffet??
Little India
For lunch buffets...this is KING....what else do you call 3 FLOORS of lunch buffet??
Location:
1365 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
Cost: $50 for 2 or 3
www.lahoretikkahouse.com
I've been to Lahore Tikka House numerous times.
The restaurant that always seems to be in a state of construction...and serving what feels like practically take-out, under make-shift portables.
You check off what you want from the paper menu, receive a number and with plastic cutlery, paper cups and plates at the ready, you wait....
Wait for the goodness to arrive.
For the unmistakable tune of juicy sizzle on a hot pan.
Lahori Chicken kebabs
The delectable mouth-wateringChicken biryani. A greasy fave.
Instead of the butter chicken they recommended we try the chicken tikka masala 'cause it's spicier. Agreed!
The sizzling King Fish is glorious!
Don't forget to wash it all down with an Indian staple of Thumbs Up. Why is pop always so much better in a bottle?
And although they've been times when we've been left waiting for our dishes a lot longer than at previous visits and even had to re-order (!), for the most part, the service is quite efficient and friendly and doesn't seem to have been interrupted by the renovations that appear to still be underway...
Lahore Tikka is definitely a greasy spoon ladle with a (depending how cast-iron your stomach is) almost-guarantee, but it brings you as close to authentic India as can do. Let's hope they don't lose the cosy atsmophere with the faux-imperial scheme they seem to be coming up with.
Location:
1422 Gerrard St East, Toronto (Gerrard St. or Little India)
Cost: $10-15
The Indian McDonalds, we call it. Much like the famous golden arches the red Motimahal signage is iconic to Gerrard street.
(Top photo via Flickr: Andrew Alexander)
It's one of the oldest restaurants in Little India and definitely one of the best, if not the best. The consistent food and familiar tacky interior makes Motimahal a reliable (and recognizable location in Deepa Mehta's Bollywood/Hollywood) and satisfying place to dine in the East end.
The cafeteria-like "diner" setting, with slanted laminate seats, red tables and ceramic tiled walls (with only recent update of painted red swirls and circles) is all part of the charm. As is the plastic trays, cutlery and styrofoam cups filled with water from steel jugs.
Also, your urge to wipe the table or seats down with paper towels is entirely normal. As is suppressing the urge to pee so as not to visit the washrooms downstairs (which are, actually, not that bad). This place is not for everyone...and yet, everyone seems to come here. There is always a steady stream of customers chowing down on veg thalis (the best in the city), masala dosas, tandoori chicken and naan (my favourite), chaats, samosas, butter chicken (incredible), just to name a few. There is also a colourful array of indian sweets for you to choose from.
My favourite dish is the tandoori chicken with naan; ask anyone - this is what I will, 90% of the time order from Motimahal. This time I went with the tandoori WINGS (it was 3pm and this was our 'snack' time between shopping).
I don't know if I've ever mentioned how much I dislike cilantro, but I do. It's more the smell of FRESH cilantro that makes me nauseous. However, for some reason, and this baffles my loved ones (and me), I do like a good bit of cilantro chutney - the kind that comes with tandoori chicken and that little side of carrots and onions - it's just so tasty (with tandoori chicken and that little side of carrots and onions).
My sister's love for chaat is like my love for tandoori chicken. Whenever she visits; there's nothing like a good bite of chaat (mixture of potato cubes, crispy fried bread and chickpeas, garnished with onion, coriander, hot spices, topped with yogurt).
It's very simple...if you're looking for a place to eat in Little India, look no further than Motimahal (or Udupi for South Indian cuisine but I'll save that for another post).