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| - When word spread that the owners of Lotus Garden sold their business, I was simultaneously worried and intrigued. Would the new management team be able to carry on the legacy of the best hakka restaurant in the GTA? Would they bring anything new to the table?
We finally made the time to go back on a Sunday evening in May. There's still a lot of good here: portion sizes are still excellent, the chicken pakora remains a really tasty option, the prices have only gone ever-so-slightly up ($6.50 specials instead of $5.99, and that might just reflect the higher minimum wage), and the customer service - while different - is still charming in it's own strange way.
Ultimately, however, I am not sure it's worth the out-of-way drive anymore.
CHICKEN PAKORA: still good, still tasty, and largely retained that perfect crunch (maybe a little bit off). 4.5/5
CRISPY BEEF: went from a very unique style to a more tangy, traditional look. It went from legendary to average at best. 2.5/5
VEGGIE PAKORA: meh. No crunch. 3/5
MANCHURIAN FISH: decent?
CUSTOMER SERVICE: I mean, the new guy is just hollering left right and centre, and that's kind of funny. Not the same calm, serene, pleasant experience as before, but not necessarily bad either.
All in all, I'd pop by if I were in the area and hungry - but ultimately, I think I have to find another dish here that doesn't make me wistful for what used to be.
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