rev:text
| - My first night ever in Toronto. After rejecting the crap/flop Hotel my hosts sent me to (relocating at my own expense to the Holiday Inn Express nearby) it was time for my "first night dinner". "FND" is a tradition I have where I get to my port of call a day early with fuck-all to do 'cept check in to the Hotel and find somewhere good to eat. Preferably a Local star, and something I might not get in Chicago.
Consulting YELP, of course, I spied all the nearby joints were Oriental in one way or another. A closer read showed me something I ain't never seen before-a cuisine called "Hakka" which is a meld of Indian/Chinese. WHOA! Now you're talkin'! There were three places in the area that serves this cuisine, with Tangerine the closest to my Hotel and highest rated.
The little strip mall where Tangerine was located wasn't the most picturesque place I've been to, and Tangerine itself was a basic storefront. Crowded for a Tuesday night, too.The service was a bit terse, then again I was prolly the only Occidental in there. The menu was long and involved, but I was able to suss out the "Hakka" dishes.
I ordered some Chili Samosas and "Himalayan Soup", for starters with a Spicy Shrimp Curry for Entree. The Samosas were hot as hell in flavor-just the way I like it. And a BIG order as well. Tasty! "Himalayan Soup" was unlike anything I've ever had, and was very very tasty-not spicy though. The Spicy Shrimp curry packed a mighty chilli punch and took me to the Capiscum-endorphin temple I seldom come across in restaurants. I ordered some Green Tea Ice cream for afters.
The whole meal was very very satisfying and prices were commensurate with the quality and how much you got (I took plenty back to my Hotel room)
A great great feed, with indifferent service, but not bad enough to keep me away from here next time I'm in Toronto.
|