When I first got the flyer for Dragon Pearl, I was very interested. Folks at the office had planned a lunch to go, but I was unable to join. But the raving reviews got me even more excited. So when I finally had the opportunity to go recently, with my work team - 35 of us! - I was jazzed! Like a kid in candy store!
Date/time of visit: Thu April 7, 2011 12:00pm
Food: Great! The food quality/variety was much better than Mandarin. Variety was fantastic and... entertaining! Watch them fry the Dragon Pearl and also throw the Single Strand noodles. Which are very tasty, btw!
Service: Fantastic. For a group of 35, there were no complaints about not having enough water, napkins, anything. The waitstaff were very quick about taking drink orders, taking away empty plates, etc. When they brought the actual Dragon Pearl dessert out, there was one of the waitstaff there to assist - he may have been a manager, not sure - and was very friendly.
Portions: Unlimited!
Cost: Average for a buffet. $12.99 per person for lunch buffet - with tax and tip, about $16.50. I didn't order a drink. Check out the website for prices throughout the week. More expensive than Star Walk buffet ($8 lunch), but worth it for the food quality and atmosphere. One thing Star Walk has additionally is more dim sum and nigiri sushi (not just maki)
Atmosphere: WILD. The decor is stunning. Lots to look at, not too bright, there are booths that look like bird cages, a boat table, chairs with backs about 10 feet high. REALLY NEAT. I will definitely take my family there next time they visit.
Other info: http://www.dragonpearlbuffet.com/ Free parking. The team had reservations of course - with a group of 35 you pretty much have to at any restaurant. There were other restaurants and an artisan bakery in this new plaza as well so I'll have to return to visit them! It was busy but not too bad. The lines moved quickly.
Ate:
Single Strand noodle soup - I chose the beef with spicy sauce - the sauce wasn't spicy, but it was good anyway - the noodles were kind of chewy and yummy, similar to udon.
Sushi - a great variety of maki - very good quality. I enjoyed the shrimp tempura roll, spicy salmon roll, california roll, and there was another roll with pickled, crunchy green stuff in it I really liked. The wasabi was nice and spicy too.
BBQ/Grilled stuff - I sampled several items from this section - really good cuttlefish. MUST HAVE the yam cake. Fried, chewy goodness!
Main stuff - There was a dish that was called Brains Tofu with Pork. So yeah, I had to try that! Ok, so it didn't have brains in it (at least I highly doubt it did); we've come to the conclusion that they must have been braised? Or are we kidding ourselves here? Anyway it was good! Also had some shrimp dumplings (good), the salty/spicy shrimp (really good), and some veggies. Nothing was bad!
Dessert - amazing variety of desserts+ice cream. I'm not much a sweets person, but it was all good - the flan, green tea cake was great. The Dragon Pearl was crunch/sticky - they give you topping choices for it too (whipped cream, blueberry jam, and something else) but I decided to try it naked (the dessert naked, that is). I think I also saw tofu dessert which I'll have to try next time (like tofu fa).
Other - Other stuff which I didn't get to have but are available - salads, fruits, soups (like hot and sour).
Note: If you're looking for spicy foods, this isn't the place for you. The food was great, don't get me wrong, but if you're in the mood for spicy, try the other restaurants I've recommended: Lin Garden, Iqbal Kebab, Cielito Lindo - depending on how you like your spicy!
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Monday, 4 April 2011
Iqbal Kebab & Sweets Centre (Halal Indian/Pakistani cuisine at Sheppard/Don Mills)
The hubby and I have been looking for a good non-buffet, Indian restaurant in the neighborhood and got the flyer for Iqbal Kebab`s new location at Sheppard and Don Mills, on Parkway Forest Drive across from Fairview Mall. Ever since Tiffin (on Ellesmere and Vic Park) shut down, it has been slim pickins.
Date/time of visit: Fri April 1, 2011 7:00pm
Food: Excellent, spicy, not greasy; we noticed there was no ghee sitting on top of any of the entrees which was nice
Service: Service was a bit slow at first. Our orders were taken pretty quickly, but we waited about 15 minutes to get our drinks. We had to ask for water 3 times, and when we finally go it, they brought a pitcher of water and 2 styrofoam cups--a bit strange, especially since we got the mango lassi in a nice glass before the water came. Even though the service was a bit slow for a bit, the lady was very helpful when it came to selecting the desserts to go after we finished our meal.
Portions: Fair.
Cost: Reasonable. Came to $23 per person for 2 people including tax/tip. We had a whole meal leftover too AND desserts to go, so we probably could have managed with just 1 order of garlic naan instead of 2, and just 2 entrees, instead of 3. Without the extra naan and entree and desserts, we could have gotten away with about $15 per person.
Atmosphere: Casual, clean, modern - they obviously renovated whatever store or restaurant was previously located here. We would go here for a casual dinner or lunch with some friends.
Other info: http://www.iqbalkebab.com/main.html for the menu. Free parking. There is a Foodland grocery store in the plaza too, as well as a sushi restaurant which we may need to investigate! Did not make reservations; they told me there was no need when I called beforehand. Was not busy in the restaurant - though there were a few folks who came in for takeout.
Ordered:
Mango Lassi - was pretty good; I think I just prefer regular mango juice though
Butter Chicken - MUST HAVE, one of the best I have ever had and will definitely get this again
Palak Paneer (Spinach with cheese cubes) - VERY GOOD, will get this again; spicy!
Shish Kebab Curry ( Beef ) - good, comes with small salad with raita
Garlic Naan (2 orders) - MUST HAVE, nice and fluffy and crispy; will order just 1 next time since we will likely get the rice too again
Basmati rice - plain (1 order) - good
Ordered less than 1 lb of mixed methai (desserts) to go - my favourite as the carrot burfi
P.S. I noticed a Lunch Thali for $6.95 which I may have to try in the near future.
Date/time of visit: Fri April 1, 2011 7:00pm
Food: Excellent, spicy, not greasy; we noticed there was no ghee sitting on top of any of the entrees which was nice
Service: Service was a bit slow at first. Our orders were taken pretty quickly, but we waited about 15 minutes to get our drinks. We had to ask for water 3 times, and when we finally go it, they brought a pitcher of water and 2 styrofoam cups--a bit strange, especially since we got the mango lassi in a nice glass before the water came. Even though the service was a bit slow for a bit, the lady was very helpful when it came to selecting the desserts to go after we finished our meal.
Portions: Fair.
Cost: Reasonable. Came to $23 per person for 2 people including tax/tip. We had a whole meal leftover too AND desserts to go, so we probably could have managed with just 1 order of garlic naan instead of 2, and just 2 entrees, instead of 3. Without the extra naan and entree and desserts, we could have gotten away with about $15 per person.
Atmosphere: Casual, clean, modern - they obviously renovated whatever store or restaurant was previously located here. We would go here for a casual dinner or lunch with some friends.
Other info: http://www.iqbalkebab.com/main.html for the menu. Free parking. There is a Foodland grocery store in the plaza too, as well as a sushi restaurant which we may need to investigate! Did not make reservations; they told me there was no need when I called beforehand. Was not busy in the restaurant - though there were a few folks who came in for takeout.
Ordered:
Mango Lassi - was pretty good; I think I just prefer regular mango juice though
Butter Chicken - MUST HAVE, one of the best I have ever had and will definitely get this again
Palak Paneer (Spinach with cheese cubes) - VERY GOOD, will get this again; spicy!
Shish Kebab Curry ( Beef ) - good, comes with small salad with raita
Garlic Naan (2 orders) - MUST HAVE, nice and fluffy and crispy; will order just 1 next time since we will likely get the rice too again
Basmati rice - plain (1 order) - good
Ordered less than 1 lb of mixed methai (desserts) to go - my favourite as the carrot burfi
P.S. I noticed a Lunch Thali for $6.95 which I may have to try in the near future.
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