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| - While all the foodie wannabes are madly rushing about making phone call after phone call to get a Summerlicious reservation, this is the perfect time of the year to be in search of those hidden gems that do not have the advertising dollars or the cache to be included on that elite list. Perhaps some place simpler or homey... a step above the fast food chains but nothing more than a satisfying quick feed.
This brings me to Cafe Arc de Triomphe, a completely off the wall hidden gem amidst all of the Korean and Kebab houses that North York has to offer. Tucked into a corner of Newtonbrook Plaza beside the Congee Time (itself a stalwart of Chinese food) is a little Hong Kong-style cafe which bears it's tres 'Francaise'-name. Do not come here hoping to find Confit de Canard or Cassoulet, Cafe Arc de Triomphe is as far away from a Paris Bistro that one can imagine.
First a little background - Hong Kong being the cosmopolitan metropolis it is, is full of restos such as these that serve up a Cantonese version of Western food (spaghetti, steak n potatoes, borscht, lots and lots of toast sandwiches) . Arc De Triomphe is a fine example of such an establishment and will surely be a nostalgic eatery for all the Hong Kong emigres in this city.
The Cafe has numerous Western and Cantonese noodle and rice dishes as well as the curious but no less delicious hybrids. It's an extensive menu far too rich to itemize here.
I ordered a plate of spaghetti in a cream sauce with chicken and smoked salmon. Mario Batali would probably cringe at the sight of this dish but quite frankly, who cares .. as long as it tastes good and that it did. It doesn't take much to recognize that the cream sauce came out of a can, the chicken likely frozen bits but hey! the smoked salmon was generous slice. Surprisingly, the spaghetti was done to a perfect al dente and the whole dish was remarkably tasty. (like your very own perfected college cuisine done right!)
Next up, I had a side plate of chicken wings and fries. The fries were of the McCain ridge cut frozen variety but no matter, still tastes crispy and delicious with a dollop of ketchup. The wings however, were a home run! Perfectly seasoned, juicy and salty, they came out precisely crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside without being too greasy.. Finger lickin' gooood!!! Those wings would give any of the new fangled 'gourmet' fried chicken places a good run for their money and I would rank them highly on any blind taste test. All the main dishes come with a free drink (hot tea, hot lemon tea, coffee or coffee-tea with milk)
Cafe Arc de Triomphe is a fine place to get a quick fill when you are too lazy to cook or just don't want to bother with ritual and fancier fare. A-OK is the perfect way to rate this place. I shall be back to eat my way through the menu.
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