Preview
Indian Summer
Can two South Asian sisters conquer Queen West?
Tangy trio: Inus Junction's mango lassi, mint
chutney and coconut vindaloo shrimp
Image credit: Christopher Stevenson
At first glance they seem like model gastro-naïfs: two young sisters with a clear love of food and a decent bankroll, if no record of running a restaurant. But Alka and Poonam Dhir’s idea—to build a modern, stylish, food-focused Indian restaurant in the hipster heart of Queen West—is long overdue. And with Indus Junction (811 Queen St. W., 647-428-7119), they might have the moxie to pull it off. The 30-seat room is possessed of clean, minimalist lines and ostrich leather chairs, without a single stitch of maharaja chintz in sight. The fresh, inviting menu—pillowy lacha paratha; zucchini pancakes with fresh paneer, mint and mango chutney; and sesame-coated Goan crab cakes—not only reads deliciously, but also speaks of the cultural mixing and matching that might be expected of first-generation Canadians growing up in Oakville at their mother’s stove. And Indiaphiles rejoice at another of their smart if cheeky offerings: Limca, the distinctive lemon-lime soda, served with a straw in authentic glass bottles—Queen West (and Chowpatty Beach) casual.
ALSO OPENING:
Rod Bowers, the chef-patron behind Rosebud, the gem of a bistro on Queen West, says he’ll launch The Citizen (730 Queen St. E., 416-465-0100) in mid-June. At long last, the people behind Buddha Dog, the fresh-and-local hot dog shop in Prince Edward County, have secured a city location (163 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-534-2700). They promise to open early this summer. And Tony de Luca, the star chef with the eponymous restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake, has opened a casual, 220-seat room (The Old Winery, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, 905-468-8900).
Comments
Comment on this story
Neither the author nor Toronto Life necessarily agree with the comments posted here. Editors will not correct spelling or grammar. Toronto Life reserves the right to edit or delete comments entirely. Read our full policy
Some articles on this site require that you have a Torontolife.com account in order to comment, and this is one of them. If you do not have an account, you can register now.
Related
More Preview Articles
- Bread Winner
- Neapolitan Complex
- Great Scot
- Power of One
- Wholly Cow
- Fox Populi
- Farm Team
See all Preview articles »