"Unusual" restaurants in GTA?

SO food being of a different ethnicity or type is unusual now?

I know you didnt mean to give off a bad vibe. You probably put it in quotes bc you just didnt know how to describe it. But best to watch how you say that. It just invokes images of ignorant people screaming bloody horror at the animal cruelty of pigs hanging in china town windows (meanwhile they had bacon and sausage for breakfast).


For something different... try ethopian food. Theyve been popping up a lot more especially along danforth.

Lots of spicy savoury and sauce dishes meant to be eaten with a type of flat bread and/or rice.

Oh didn't know it came out that way. I've just had for lunch - squid tentacles salad, cold tofu in Szechuan marinade and small gizzards, fish paste stuffed in peppers, which I found at T&T - and have eaten lots of ethnic foods with Indian being my favourite when I can get to Gerrard Street. I was more thinking of something like the Spice Route with fusion food and decor/atmosphere.

Thanks, will look at Ethiopian on Danforth, any ideas for good Moroccan and Egyptian?

Catnippy wrote: ↑ Oh didn't know it came out that way. I've just had for lunch - squid tentacles salad, cold tofu in Szechuan marinade and small gizzards, fish paste stuffed in peppers, which I found at T&T - and have eaten lots of ethnic foods with Indian being my favourite when I can get to Gerrard Street. I was more thinking of something like the Spice Route with fusion food and decor/atmosphere.

Thanks, will look at Ethiopian on Danforth, any ideas for good Moroccan and Egyptian?

Ahh... So you're looking for a more upscale dining experience?

http://www.lamesafilipinokitchen.com/
Filipino food with a more polished and upscale twist. Its not a big loungey experience like SPice Route. IT's a small venue. But its nice and quaint. Its nice enough for a date.

medieval times was a unusual dining experience....

Honestly korean bbq, that restaurant that brings you slabs of meat on a stick at cuts it for you (forget the name)
are the most unusual restaurants I've been to.

In terms of unusual, do you meat food, setup(the way you get the food), entertainment?

What type of food do you usually eat - Asian food?

Going towards Queen West has alot of interesting independent restaurants. there's also a big nepalese presence in the Roncesvalles area.
https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/n/43/westqueenwest/

Lamesa looks good, sure beats Jesse Jr. Prefer Markham/Scarborough/RH though ...

I eat anything and everything. And no, it doesn't have to be upscale, also liked Brars on Islington for atmosphere.
Had hotpots, churrascarias, Korean and Mongolian bbq, middle Eastern, Mexican. Now that I'm being asked, I think I'm looking for the atmosphere first, then the food.
Nepalese sounds interesting as long as not Chinese-like, no burgers/steaks/ribs/sports bars/pasta/salad (had too much of that doing business travel with some conservative eaters).
Somewhere with good rollmops with a hot breadroll and butter is also okay!

What about the place where you eat in total darkness? Never been, but it seemed like a neat concept to try out.

Place is called O.Noir

I had porchette & co. Interesting to see porchetta get its own restaurant , it was on king w.

Portions... a bit small. But i guess thats to get with in $10.95 on an expensive real estate part of dt.
It was what looked to be 5oz of porchetta & 3 pieces of skin crackling. It came with one side of coleslaw, fries, or beans. $2 upcharge for kale or poutine.
I thought it was good. Tried it through ritual's $15 off king st resto promo.
Search "food is king"

With the $15 off promo i wasnt afraid to throw in 2 sauces for an upcharge of $0.75 each.
I had cheese sauce which was a very creamy nacho/mac n cheese style sauce. It had a mild cheddar taste and went well with the leaner pieces of porchetta and fries.
Also had the porchetta gravy which was a nice consistency. It reminds me of the kfc consistency but with a pork flavor.

My partner had the fried chicken with beans. Also $10.95 for the protein+side. It was okay. But passable boneless fried chicken. A bit of white and dark meat.

Down side of this place is the portions.

Tiolet restaurant and Maid Cafe.

Naan x kabob
Kub khao Thai eatery
Ravi soups
Gyu gyu ya

Catnippy wrote: ↑Lamesa looks good, sure beats Jesse Jr. Prefer Markham/Scarborough/RH though ...

I eat anything and everything. And no, it doesn't have to be upscale, also liked Brars on Islington for atmosphere.
Had hotpots, churrascarias, Korean and Mongolian bbq, middle Eastern, Mexican. Now that I'm being asked, I think I'm looking for the atmosphere first, then the food.
Nepalese sounds interesting as long as not Chinese-like, no burgers/steaks/ribs/sports bars/pasta/salad (had too much of that doing business travel with some conservative eaters).
Somewhere with good rollmops with a hot breadroll and butter is also okay!

notfromqc wrote: ↑ What about the place where you eat in total darkness? Never been, but it seemed like a neat concept to try out.

Place is called O.Noir

O.Noir is definitely atmosphere (or lack of one) first and food a distant second.

What about those Brazilian steakhouses at Copacabana or Red Violin? Tasty meats and entertainment as well. Izakaya is fun (it's like tapas). The atmosphere is very loud. Recently went to Zakkushi and thought it was good food.

Cheapo-Findo wrote: ↑ Tiolet restaurant and Maid Cafe.

If we're talking "Toilet", there's a dessert place in the Korean village of Toronto called Poop Cafe: http://www.poopcafe.ca/

joeyjoejoe wrote: ↑ O.Noir is definitely atmosphere (or lack of one) first and food a distant second.

What about those Brazilian steakhouses at Copacabana or Red Violin? Tasty meats and entertainment as well. Izakaya is fun (it's like tapas). The atmosphere is very loud. Recently went to Zakkushi and thought it was good food.

thats what I meant

Omakase wrote: ↑ Kub khao Thai eatery

What's unusual about Kub Khao? I love that place but it's just regular Thai imo. I prefer Eat BKK over it though.

joeyjoejoe wrote: ↑ What about those Brazilian steakhouses at Copacabana or Red Violin?

Sadly, Red violin is no more. Thankfully Roh day oh (Rodeo) took it's place and is doing quite well.

ReeGee wrote: ↑ What's unusual about Kub Khao? I love that place but it's just regular Thai imo. I prefer Eat BKK over it though.

It’s location, it’s two different dining areas with different artwork and atmosphere

Omakase wrote: ↑ It’s location, it’s two different dining areas with different artwork and atmosphere

Ohh ok I see what you mean but I was thinking OP was asking for actual unusual food which aside maybe from the "Shrimp Donut" Kub Khao is pretty standard Thai.

PAI. Not unusual, but great food, great vibe, great atmosphere. This place is always busy.

A few recommendations

Eat BKK - Specifically the Night market and Bangkok fusion menus. Their regular thai menu is excellent as well and my favorite Thai in the city.

Chris Jerk for their Jerk Shwarma which is amazing. Allwyns for their Jerk Chicken on Cocobread Sandwhich or one of a kind patties which are staples in my neighborhood.

Momofuku noodle bar. Gourmet style ramen in a trendier bigger dining space than most ramen spots in the city. Pricey but worth it if you're looking for a unique dining experience.

Lees - The Singapore slaw they're known for is unreal. Very pricey place as well but again worth it if you're looking for good unique dining.