Vanipha Lanna
[?]
416-654-8068
w: http://www.vanipha.ca/
At first glance, the tired, aesthetically challenged dining room seems ripe for a makeover. But after a relaxing meal in this friendly Hillcrest restaurant, the gurgling fountain, fading portraits of Thai royalty and the jungle of houseplants (shielding diners from an ugly stretch of St. Clair) seem essential elements in its unique charm. The kitchen is not afraid to use fish sauce and chilies, delivering bolder and more authentic cooking than most Thai restaurants around town. A mixed appetizer platter is a good way to start, yielding such treasures as a juicy shrimp satay marinated in curry powder and coconut milk, and terrific greaseless spring rolls stuffed with glass noodles and meaty mushrooms. Laab gai, a salad of diced grilled chicken breast tossed with mint, crisp garlic and toasted rice powder in a fiery lime dressing, is brought down by dry meat. An otherwise excellent masaman curry in a silky tamarind-enriched coconut milk sauce is also marred by an overcooked bird. Soop puck is a better option: a knockout stir-fry of snow peas, baby corn and cloud ear mushrooms in a zippy roasted eggplant chili sauce with puffed rice for crunch. For dessert, the classic coconut sticky rice with ripe mango is addictively salty-sweet. With a long menu, intricate food and loyal takeout fans, service can plod along when orders pile up. Mains $9.50—$15.
Description
Category Features
Vegetarian: Yes
Price Range: $30 Gourmet
Related
Related Listings
Related Tags
Hungarian, Bistro, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, Vietnamese,