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| All pictures are courtesy of Parv.ca |
Like many family-run businesses,
Miya Bhai is a cozy restaurant. Tucked away on Bathurst, just a quick walk from
the station, the store front has discrete signage so look for their brightly
coloured tables instead.
The menu consists of dishes based on
their mother’s recipes, incorporating all the flavours they love and grew up with,
but lightened so customers leave feeling satisfied but not overloaded. Even the
sauces used in the dishes are made in house, to ensure the tastes are on par
with momma’s creations.
The build-your-own menu allows
customers to customize creations to their liking. For first time visitors, the
options may seem endless so there is a Signature selection menu where there are
pre-built combinations. I tried their best seller, the vegan butter chicken
tacos ($11), where the “chicken” was actually marinated tofu
prepared tandoori style, which it ends up getting a lovely flavour and
texture that truthfully doesn’t taste like chicken but seemed like paneer.
With crunchy lettuce and kachumber (a
refreshing salad made with cucumber, tomato, onions, lemon and chili peppers)
the tacos were messy to eat, but all the ingredients mixed with the avocado
mayo made for a tasty creation. A light heat lingers slightly on the tongue
afterwards, but not overwhelming hot.
After the two huge tacos, you likely
won’t need any more food, but for a small add on, the vegan samosa ($2) always
hits the spot. A thin pastry is stuffed with well spiced potatoes and
vegetables to create a palm sized samosa. I liked that they kept the potatoes
in cubes, rather than mashing it, to help add texture to the starter. Just make
sure to pour the spicy tamarind sauce into the samosa to avoid having
everything fall out.
For something to stave off the
spiciness or even as a sweet ending their house made drinks ($3.50 each) are
delicious choices. The vegan mango refresh (also offered in a non-vegan format)
takes mango, with its pulp, and mixes is it with a creamy non-dairy milk – it’s
a very full-flavoured lassi.
Meanwhile, the strawberry yoghurt drink is silky and sweet that it almost
tastes like a milkshake.
For meat lovers, don’t worry! Miya
Bhai also offers a host of non-vegetarian options including beef seekh kabobs,
butter chicken, lamb kofta, and
tandoori salmon (the beef seekh kabob roll, $11.50, is shown
below).
While the signature selection was a
great start, I highly recommend building your own and making a vegan butter
chicken biri-rice bowl ($12.50). Having tried a bit of the rice on its own,
it’s a flavourful base that’s salty and spicy – even by itself the rice was
delicious. Once covered with paneer like tofu, sweet corn, crispy onions, and
smothered with cilantro garlic aioli, I can just imagine how delicious it could
be!
As
the weather turns cold, I crave a bowl of something hearty and filling. At Miya
Bhai, thankfully the bowl is also filled with flavours and won’t leave you
feeling gluttonous.
Overall mark - 7 out of 10
Disclaimer: The above meal was complimentary. Rest assured, as noted in my mission statement, I will always provide an honest opinion.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 938 Bathurst Street
Address: 938 Bathurst Street
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____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
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