Pai at 18 Duncan in Toronto was my first meal on my return to my Mother's homeland, aka her "God's Country", aka Canada. I got there via Khao San Road, where I was headed, when I asked the concierge in my fancy hotel for directions. Quite nicely, he, hey, he's Canadian, said "You know, the chef moved to Pai, just around the corner? And it's got a newer feel." Ah ha, a concierge who knows food stuff. I entered and the place looked like a dingy Aspen ski bar with a lot of tables, a full bar and announcements of their year anniversary celebration soon.
On entering I saw a chalkboard for the Daily Special - Thai chicken wings, 3 for 5 CAD - tempted by chicken wings only 100 miles from the mother-lode in Buffalo, I asked my waitress if I could tuck away both them and then the shrimp curry in a coconut shell - "Hummm," she said "if you're really hungry." So I went with the latter which was not only the best Thai curry dish I've had in ages but more than enough for a meal.
With 21 CAD worth of wine, no bottled water (they didn't even push it), dessert or coffee my bill was 43.85 CAD before tip.
Conclusion: The chef, Nuit Regular has indeed upgraded his offerings from the old days at the Khao San Road, to his credit, and serves up mighty fine Northern Thai food, even for food-exemplar, Toronto.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Korean Village on Bloor St in Koreatown was a place I thought delivered outstanding, almost nouvelle cuisine, Korean food on my last visit in 2006 - not so today. Maybe I had misremembered, maybe the chef left years ago, maybe he only cooks weekdays now - I dunno.
The menu is today (2015) and was then in 2006, deceptive, sounding like stuff you get get off a food cart in Seoul - so being alone I ordered the primo dish
- "#3, short ribs, bone-in please."
- Delivered:
- #4 low-grade shredded beef with sugar added for those under 20.
- "Ma'am, I ordered #3", "No you said #4."
- OK, said sulkingly.
Kimchi, pickled cucumbers and bean spouts were the highlights of the meal, the soup came in second but the beef was beyond comment.
With three glasses of Niagara Falls' wine (who knew? Niagara by the Lake sure, but?), no bottled water, dessert or coffee, the bill amounts to 36.75 CAD. Oh well, "into life a little rain.....etc"
Recent Comments