rev:text
| - I went to Maroli on Bloor St. West back in April and am just now getting around to writing this review! I really enjoy Maroli and have stopped in more than once since.
I first noticed Maroli's flashy advertising, which openly mocks the KFC a few doors down (the strategy being the contrast between their delicious Malabar Chicken and the Colonel's "bland" variety). I had also been somewhat desperately handed fliers on my walk home every day, advertising the weekly special on the Malabar Chicken. Take a guess what I ordered? Who says advertising doesn't work?
The Malabar Chicken doesn't really come with much, I ordered an extra side of Malabari roti. The waitress was very concerned that this would be too dry and asked me if I wanted a side dish (I think she offered lentils). I told her no, I thought it would be fine, and we bantered back and forth about how spicy the chicken was. I sat back and waited in the near-empty restaurant and read a book of spices they had at the front.
When the food came, I was not disappointed. A hearty serving of rice with the deep red boneless chicken pieces, crispy fried and coated in spice. There were a few meek raw veggies underneath but they seemed to serve as garnish more than anything. The bread was chewy, warm and pleasantly oily, a nice (though yes, dry) contrast to the juicy chicken chunks. The waitress underestimated my tolerance for spice and I vowed to get it "really spicy" next time. She laughed and said it's hard to gauge what people think spicy is.
Overall the food was good and the ambience decent. The wait was long but the food was obviously fresh cooked and therefore worth the wait. I noticed happily that the place is licensed, although I did not indulge on that visit. I vaguely recall some mixup with my order but it was sorted out pleasantly and obviously wasn't worth jotting down in my notes. I paid with a card but I can't recall if it was debit or credit. The atmosphere is relaxed so it would be a nice casual place to take friends. Most entrees are between $8 - $12.
|