OMFG! Why is this place yet to be reviewed? (David T's one liner hardly counts, puh-lease!!)
I had read about Annapurna somewhere before but had yet to make a trip up to Bathurst/Dupont. I chanced by there on my way back from Fringe Fest, so I decided today was the day to venture in.
Annapurna, according to Wikipedia, is the name of the Hindu Goddess of Nourishment.
The restaurant serves vegetarian cuisine with an emphasis on Indian food dishes. The menu is large; consisting of salads, falafel, veggie burgers, sandwiches and a whole slew of South Indian dishes. Lots of teas, juices and desserts too (full menu on the website, plus daily specials) Nothing on the menu was priced over $10.
Once inside, it was immediately clear that Annapurna strives for a completely "zen" ambiance. The large space is decorated in baby blue, pale green and white; sort of a "yoga studio meets childcare nursery" vibe. Soft Enya-like music is playing in the background.
I grabbed a table near the window and immediately was approached by the server, dressed in sari, who kindly handed me a menu, glass and pitcher of water.
The service was SO fantastic at this place. It was like THEY KNEW I was going to rush home and review them on Yelp. Heck, even the other patrons were lovely! The lady next to me told me she's been going to this place for 20 years - and that she will sit for hours sipping tea and reading a novel long after she finishes a meal.
I ordered the Annapurna sampler ($8) which came with potato masala, a curried spinach dish, basmati rice, a chapati bread, a poppadum, yogurt and indian pickle. The portion was perfect and the food was incredible. Very light and healthy, not a lot of oil (which is my usual moan about Indian food). Overall, an absolutely bargain for $8.
After completing my meal, my plate was collected and I was told by the server not to rush, sit back, relax, digest, and come up to the front to pay whenever I was ready.
Overall, an incredible dining experience for such a low price point. I'm not even vegetarian and I plan to head back here for repeat visits.