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Danforth Gem – Emerald Restaurant

Emerald Restaurant, on what I’m now calling ‘Cafe Corner’ on the southwest side of Danforth and Woodbine, is serving Indian food.  One of DECA Diaries’ favourite local restaurant critics, Paul (he eats out a LOT) went tonight and promptly sent this review…

 

I have just returned from my dinner with friends at Emerald Restaurant, the new Indian place at Danforth and Woodbine. The chef is from Goa, and is enthusiastically planning to include dishes from that part of India; as of yet the menu is still in development, but includes a variety of standard Indian fare and some international dishes, such as spring rolls and ribs. I am a vegetarian and the chef was very helpful and accommodating with my questions. We began with a variety of samosas and kebabs; the samosas were really excellent, cooked to order, with a mix of vegetables and fresh coriander, and very crispy but not at all greasy. For the children with my group, the chef recommended the mild shami kebabs, and they too were much enjoyed. The curries we ordered for our main courses came with fresh-cooked naan breads, and a basmati pullao rice. I loved my cauliflower curry and mixed vegetable curry combo, and my friends’ chicken tikka masala was pronounced “the best ever.”  A gigantic serving of chicken biryani had to be mostly taken home! As all the curries are prepared to order, the chef helpfully suggested that one could call ahead to order; their preparation took quite a while, but the rewards of freshly prepared food are obvious to the tastebuds. The drinks are currently limited to pop or water while the restaurant awaits its’ beer and wine license… a selection of juices and lassis would be welcome…along with perhaps a nicer selection of music… the radio station playing in the background didn’t provide much in the way of ambience. With the very reasonable prices and the welcoming, friendly service, Emerald restaurant provides good home-style Indian cooking to our neighbourhood.

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Danforth Gems

Bistro Camino – 2750 Danforth Ave. at Dawes Road


Stop what you’re doing and make plans to go to Bistro Camino.  When I asked our excellent server what the heck this restaurant was doing at Danforth and Dawes Road, she said “we get that question a lot.”  I could write about our whole meal, but the good people at Now Magazine wrote it already and I couldn’t agree more.

“At dinner, the prix fixes begin with warm, linen-draped baskets of French bread and cruets of both balsamic vinegar and olive oil. An appetizer platter follows: delicate china cups of creamy asparagus soup, tapas-style slices of Atlantic sole in citrus escabeche, house-smoked salmon and prosciutto of no particular provenance, figs marinated in red wine, mini-croquettes stuffed with Brie, and cheddar biscuits dressed with tobiko flying fish roe. Read the rest of the review here.

Caketown – south side of Danforth, just west of Woodbine

I haven’t made it in myself, though I hope to soon.  All reports are that the pastries are incredible.  Peter says: “it’s the best brownie I ever ate.”  I’m also told through the grapevine that the decor is simply delightful.

Emerald Restaruant – south side of Danforth, steps east of Caketown

I know even less about this restaurant except to say that it is open and serves Indian food including, yes, samosas.  The one report I’ve received is that it is clean inside.

O.k. so these aren’t the most well-rounded Danforth Gems that have ever graced this site, but now you know about these places.  So if you can shed more light and share your experiences, post them here.