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| - I gave this place 5 stars because I really want to encourage people to go.
Hands-down the best tasting Indian food I've had in Toronto (and I'm half-Indian). Freshly-prepared foods using no pre-mixed sauces or ingredients, cooked to your degree of spice tolerance. Comprehensive menu that features many North Indian favorites as well as a few of the chef's personal touches. Daily specials (a novelty for an Indian restaurant) include a few "fusion items" like guacamole paneer, which was a paneer sandwich stuffed with guacamole, deep fried in gram flour (pakora-style). No, it's not my grandmother's Indian food at that point, but there's lots of stuff on the menu that she would have enjoyed too! I just like to see Indian chefs innovating!
We enjoyed the above-mentioned paneer and some piping hot shrim (small prawn!) pakoras -- deftly presented with house-made tamarind and chili-mango sauces and a wonderful citrus-cucumber garnish (again, one step above the usual Indian fare). Main consisted of saag lamb -- beautiful pieces of top-quality meat braised to perfection, no stringy fatty bits -- and mixed vegetables which were perfectly seasoned and retained their crispiness rather than cooked down to a pulp in the unfortunate traditional style. We had a wonderful saffron rice and naan stuffed with onion and cilantro (beats Amaya's bread bar hands-down). The only drawback was a slightly sweet and watery raita (yogurt dip).
Decor is a step up from your typical Indian restaurant, although the prices are very reasonable. Interestingly, they have a house martini list that features drinks such as mango-chili martini. Not necessarily for everyone, but another way to try something new, and another thing that distinguishes Mela from other Indian restaurants in Toronto.
Service was very friendly and attentive.
The ONLY drawback is that this place was too quiet. Soft Indian music playing in the background and it's located in a sleepy family neighborhood near Lawrence and Avenue. If you're looking for a night out to party, this is not the place for you. Honestly, I think this place would fare much better downtown. But if you want an excellent, quiet meal in pleasant surroundings, you can't go wrong.
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