68. Cameroon/Senegal/Gambia: Tree Top African Cafe

Tree Top African Cafe
620 Dundas Street West
(between Bathurst and Spadina)
(416) 519 9600

On this unseasonably cold and wet June afternoon, we welcomed a cup of lemon grass tea, $2.00, in this little cafe on the fringe of the Kennsington Market neighbourhood. There were more take out customers than those dining in.

We chose a Vegetarian Plate, $12 that came with a house made samosa, salad and Kilimanjaro Couscous, a Pan-African dish; Fou fou (pounded yams, cassava, green banana and other starchy veg) with fish and vegetables (photo above), $13 and Plantain with Chicken a generous portion with salad for $13. Many menu items are Senegambian and Pan-African.

Tree Top African Cafe was opened in 2014 by Cameroon born musician  Njacko Backo  and Saikou Sado who also owns the nearby African Drums & Art Crafts store.

Rating: Ambiance (2)Service (2)Food Presentation (3)Food Quality (3)Value for Money (2)

67. Guadaloupe and Martinique: Le Ti Colibri

Le Ti Colibri
291 Augusta Avenue 
(south of College)
(416) 925-2223

Don't be in a hurry to be greeted and served, unless you're one of the regulars, at this long narrow shop in Kensington Market. There are a few seats indoors and a couple of tables out front. I was watching the food being prepped while I waited for my lunch and thought to myself, "they're lucky I'm not a health inspector". There was little evidence of hand washing and keeping ingredients free from cross-contamination. 

I tried the Callaloo Veggie Fish plate which, seen above, comes with a mixed salad, fried plantains and a mini bokit  (a yeasty type of deep fried dumpling). The callaloo mixture is well seasoned and has okra and onions.

Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

66. Trinidad: Ali's Roti

Ali's Roti West Indian Food

1446 Queen Street West 

(East of Lansdown Avenue) 

Between the walls painted with murals of Caribbean landscapes, there's a steady stream of take-out and dine-in customers that represent a cross section of Toronto's population. You order and pay at the counter and the food is brought to your table when ready. You get the feeling that regulars are treated more graciously than walk ins.
Luckily, I'm with a Trinidadian friend who explains the menu and helps me decide what to try. We start with doubles which are made of bara (fried, yeast raised bread) filled with curried chickpeas. For our main course, we choose king fish which comes with rice and salad (pictured below). Realizing that the portions will be generous we opt for take-out containers to leave room for ice cream. There are many different flavours in tubs in the freezer. The soursop is delightful and refreshing.
While I drink my mango nectar, my companion sips on her Busta Kola Champagne and shares stories of growing up "back home". I can't resist taking some currants roll  (flaky pastry filled with currants and cinnamon) to try at home with tea - delicious.


Rating: Ambiance (3)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (2)
Food Quality (4)
Value for Money (4)

65.Myanmar: Motherhome Cuisine

Motherhome Myanmar Cuisine
1194 Bloor Street West
416 551 2593

This family run, cafeteria style restaurant used to be in the food court of the CBC building on front street. You can order the daily special at the steam table, as we did, or from the menu. Staff were helpful at explaining the various dishes, but a little slow in busing the tables.
We try the snakehead fish, which is cooked with tomatoes and onions and served with veg and tofu and vegetable rice (pictured here), $6.99; and the beef stir fry with rice and veg, $6.99. The seasonings are distinctively different from other Asian cuisines we've tried.
Next time I'll sample the Tea Leaf Salad, $6.99 or one of the interesting looking appetizers.

Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (2)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

64. Mongolia: Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill

Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill
900 Don Mills Road
(north of Eglinton Avenue)
416 449 8228

It is a cavernous restaurant with all the charm of a food court. Clean and orderly but not much character. The focal point is the Mongolian grill. Helpful, pre-programed servers guide you through the experience. In a deep bowl you select vegetables, meats, noodles and sauce. You wait in line for a cook to stir fry it on the huge grill seen here. It comes back to you in a clean bowl. For the same all inclusive price you can visit the buffet tables. There are arguably more Asian choices here than at the Mandarin. We ordered a pot of green tea which was inadvertently delivered to the wrong table when we were up at the grill. This must happen frequently. An interesting experience but not one we're willing to drive across town to repeat. Weekend dinner buffet $21.99 for adults.


Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (2)
Food Quality (2)
Value for Money (2)

63. Morocco: Walima Cafe

Walima Cafe
1450 Danforth Ave
(West of Coxwell)
647 268 3327

Incense, decorative lanterns and mood music present an authentic North African ambiance. We are greeted somewhat off-handedly but the service improves as the evening goes on. We order mint tea which arrives in a large silver pot with a charming handle cover and accompanied by ornate, colourful glasses. For starters we choose Morocco salad $4.75, Beet Salad $3.75 and Hummus $4.25. Our main courses are Chicken Tagine $12.25, Shrimp Tagine $13.25, Lamb Tagine $13.50, Fish Tagine (Tilapia) $13.25 and Vegetarian Couscous $12.00. A Tagine is a heavy clay pot in two parts - circular base like a plate and a tall cone that sits inside the base as the dish cooks in the oven. The result is tender meat in flavourful sauces. By the time we'd just about given up hope of ordering dessert, our host had warmed up sufficiently to offer us sweet plates (assortments of traditional pastries) we order two lots to share between the six of us at $4.95 a plate. These tasty morsels disappeared quickly helped along by our second pot of mint tea. Total for six dinners $131.81 plus tip.

Rating: Ambiance (3)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (4)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

62. Venezuela: Arepa Cafe

Arepa Cafe
490 Queen Street West
(between Bathurst & Spadina)
416 362 4111

When we arrived at the restaurant we had to wait for a table to become available so that the six of us could be seated together. It was a bit awkward and we helped move chairs to make it easier. They were expecting a party of 14 to arrive and were a bit flustered by us showing up as well.
The decor is a blend of past and present where bare brick walls and tin ceiling are complimented by urban modern fixtures.
For starters we order berros (watercress salad with tomato, avocado and pickled onion), $3.75, lentil soup $4.00 and codfish soup $4.00. The latter was very well seasoned and not overly salty.
Arepas, of the restaurant's name, are made from cornmeal formed into patties then grilled and cut open so they become like buns for sandwich fillings. We try three of the many arepa varieties- avocado & fresh cheese, $7.00 [picture below]; cazon bacalao (salted codfish, sweet peppers, onion and garlic), $7.00 and grilled chicken with herb mayonnaise, $7.50.
Our server explained the tempting desserts in the display case and we chose the guava tart $4.50 and Tres Leches $5.75. We drink decaf Americanos and sugar cane lemonade as there is no liquor license here. Total for four three-course lunches $80.23 plus tip.

Rating: Ambiance (3)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)