Laura Serra
From Saturday's Globe and Mail Published on Saturday, May. 17, 2008 12:00AM EDT Last updated on Friday, Mar. 13, 2009 11:57AM EDT
WATERFALLS INDIAN TAPAS BAR & GRILL
303 Augusta Ave., Toronto
416-927-9666
If you're walking the charmingly historic streets of Kensington Market, lined with windswept buildings, specialty food markets and niche-cuisine nooks, a stroll by the newly opened Waterfalls Indian Tapas Bar & Grill may cause you to do a double take.
Its grand façade and elegant, dark wood decor is not what you would expect in a neighbourhood known for its mix of eccentricities, such as neighbouring eatery favourites La Palette and Torito Tapas Bar.
All preconceived notions aside, however - the food is tasty and affordable, the martinis are only $9 and owner Mahendran Rasie offers a warm and welcoming smile. "It's a multicuisine type of restaurant," says Rasie, a veteran of the hotel industry. "We have Indian dishes on the menu, some Mediterranean and some Italian."
Traditional Indian flavours dominate most selections, such as the Madras-style mussels ($7.99), but chef Vijay Kabil cooks up new takes on old favourites with fusion dishes like the tandoori chicken fettucine ($13.99).
You can get anything from a salad or sandwich to a fish, steak or lamb entrée for less than $22.
Waterfalls is open every day with varying lunch and dinner menus. Take-out is available, vegetarians can be accommodated and the venue is available for private parties.
Waterfalls Cosmopolitan
1 ounce Grey Goose Vodka L'Orange
1 ounce Grand Marnier
Splash of cranberry
Splash of freshly squeezed lime
Shake with ice and serve garnished with an orange slice and orange peel.
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