I read about this place in the recent Globe article on Toronto's top ten Chinese joints. So I rounded up 3 of my high school buddies and we headed up to Markham to check out the Gold Medal Roast duck. It was a disappointment for 3 reasons:
1) Service, service, service. I know there's an old school charm to Chinese restaurants with poor to middling service. However, I'm at my wits end about accepting that there are cultural reasons for poor service. There are many examples of fine Chinese dining with great service, and Dayali's was disappointing. Maybe they aren't catering to me (I don't speak Mandarin).
2) The Globe reviewer must have skipped the Blueberry Yam. I'm sorry those flavours shouldn't go together, unless it's done by some skilled mind. The rest of the food was middling at best.
3) The decor is nice and clean. And it feels authentic in there, but I felt like the place has no distinct personality. I need something to draw me in, and nice wallpaper isn't going to do it for me.
I wouldn't go back or recommend.