Segovia Toronto ON

Ah Segovia, the best Spanish restaurant in the great white north (well, actually the only one I have been to in Canada). However, I can’t imagine a better one. I went to Segovia on the recommendation of Elsa and Bob, two participants in the course I was facilitating in Toronto. They were a part of a dining club and had eaten there before. What convinced me to try this place out was that they both recommended it to me separately and even on different days. Thanks guys for introducing me to Segovia, my kind of place.

 

It is on St. Nicholas Street, which looks more like an Alley and has a brick road. As you turn onto St. Nicholas off of Wellesley you immediately see the bright yellow and orange outside walls of Segovia.

It is just begging you to come in off the hard, wet and cold street and enjoy a warm, friendly Spanish delight of a dinner.

 

I also like the interior decoration:

You feel like you have been transported right to Spain with the colors, drawing on the wall, pewter, lights, plates on the wall and beautiful impressionist paintings in the entry way and upstairs as you head to the bathroom (a must see of any restaurantJ).

 

I ordered three different Tapas wanting to try out more than one dish.

 

The Tortilla (with egg and potato) was quite filling. Tasted somewhat like a cross between a breakfast burrito and my wife’s fried potato patties; quite good.

I also ordered the fried squid (known as fried calamari in an Italian restaurant). Now, I am a bit picky about fried squid. My favorite in the Dallas area is at Covino’s (I need to go there soon and add it to EIHW). The squid must be lightly battered, not to oily and tender (a difficult challenge when it comes to Squid). This was just right, well done Ino! 

Lastly, yes I saved the best for last, the Paella Tapa. Paella served with shrimp, chorizo, chicken and mussels. Delicious, I am already craving my return trip to enjoy the Paella for 2.

 

The best part of the night was having the privilege to meet Ino, the owner/chef of Segovia. Ino and I only spoke for a few minutes and yet discussed Franco (Spanish dictator), Churchill, Eisenhower, Hollywood stars, Paella, Flamenco dance, bureaucracy of dictator governments and much more. All of this while I enjoyed complimentary Sangria which was awesome (listed as the best in Toronto in their drink menu). Now you know the real reason I enjoyed our conversation so much J He invited me back on my next trip when I take my wife with me on a Friday or Saturday night so we could enjoy the Flamenco music and dance and order the Paella for II. Can’t wait!

 

Ino started in the restaurant business 3 months prior to turning 14, washing dishes at a restaurant. He has been classically trained in French cooking, worked as the head chef for many reputable restaurants and hotels. He bought Segovia x years ago. He talked about the struggle a chef/owner has – the polarity between the business owner and the artist chef. His artistry is fantastic, simply take another look at the three Tapas pictured above (especially the Tortilla & Paella). I look forward to learning more about Ino, Segovia, Flamenco and much more on my next trip back.

 

The food – delicious, hole in the wall factor – 3 holes, story – 4 page rating and proudly introducing the new Ino rating (the personality of the owner) – Ino has set the bar high and set the mark for all other owners to live up to – drum roll please – the coveted 5 Ino rating. Check out the page on the front page entitled ‘Introducing the Ino Rating’.

 

Segovia is most definitely my kind of place – make it yours next time your in Toronto.

 

Biryani House Toronto, ON

Indian food – incredible spices, great smells, can be healthy and quite unique. Biryani House (6 Roy’s Square – nothing more than a right angle alley that connects Bloor & Yonge streets in downtown Toronto. 416 944-1644) serves very good northern Indian cuisine without pretension and in a quaint (ok hole in the wall) environment. That makes it my kind of place. Here are two pictures from the outside:

 

Here is the alley you walk down to get to it (Biryani House on the left):

I’ve been there 3 times now (all for dinner, though they also serve lunch) and it can’t be beat. Ramki and I tried it thanks to our concierge at the Marriott on Bloor St. I asked him for the best tasting hole in the wall Indian Restaurant and this is where he sent us. The next night he received a good tip J and sent us to another great place – but that is for another post. Ramki, please tell us your thoughts on Biryani House.

The name, Biryani, comes from an Indian rice dish. I actually ordered that tonight. The vegetable Biryani is, as the menu says, ‘Delicate spiced basmati rice cooked with vegetables, cottage cheese, and saffron and garnished with dry fruit and nuts’. It was very filling and quite delicious. Ramki and I also had some on our first visit. Last night I tried the Chicken Do Piazz, also very good and a bit more spicy. Both nights I tried a different soup, Dhal soup and Mulligia Tawny Soup. Both quite good and very different from each other. The Dhal is a lighter tasting and less spicy soup than the Mulligia. The naan that they serve is great – you can get a butter Naan, garlic Naan or plain (there may be other options I can’t remember). Check it out.

Biryani House only has 11 tables, 9 are for 2 people and only 2 are for 4. It definitely qualifies for the 5 hole rating (hole in the wall). Every time I have been there well over half of the tables are busy, many with regulars. When I asked my waiter what was good, he said ‘everything. If it is good, then we put it on the menu’. I love that bit of attitude. I heard him say the same thing tonight to someone who walked in off the street to get a bite to go. Tonight when I spoke with him a little longer he said that they completely change the menu regularly. Their regulars have had a chance to try everything on the menu so then they come up with a new menu to give them variety.

 

The story behind the place was hard to fully discern. Here is a picture of the owner Sukha cooking away

Sukha, his brother and wife all have been involved in the restaurant business for quite some time. They own another restaurant at 1437 Gerrard St. as well. They have been serving Indian food since 1991. I had previously tried to speak with him, but because of how busy they always seem to be I settled for the information I could get from the waiter. Based on the straightforward story it will only receive a 1 page story rating. I wouldn’t be surprise if there is more here than I was able to get.

Next time you are in Toronto and wanting some great tasting Indian food, check it out Biryani House, my kind of place.

P.S. Did some surfing on the net and found www.biryanihouse.com/ This is definitely not the place I am talking about, however, it is possible that Debu Saha’s brother now runs the one on 6 Roy’s Square. Someone comment with more information if you have it.