"Ethnic" Resto in Toronto?

[LurveToEat]

I'm taking my dad out for dinner tonight for his birthday. He enjoys ethnic food in a nice setting. Anyone know of any "upscale-ish" ethnic restaurants in the city?

Thanks to all who replied...for clarity lets narrow it down to something with indian or middle eastern or african flavours...but I am open to any other types of cuisines that you may have suggestions on. The challenge that I face is that most posts related to this type of cuisine are for lunch or casual dining....

[Yum2MyTum]

think you're going to have to be more specific. Perhaps naming a continent/sub-continent would help?

[c_snapper]

the host is a nice upscale looking indian resto

[LurveToEat]

thanks c_snapper!.i do like The Host, but i've been there many times, so looking for something new.

[Gary]

All people, including Caucasians, are members of at least one ethnic group. Therefore, aren't all restaurants "ethnic"?

I recommend clicking the "search this board" link above and searching with some keywords related to the types of cuisine you might be interested in, for example: indian, thai, chinese, japanese, greek, etc. You'll find many recent threads discussing each.

[pescatarian]

I agree with Gary.

[LurveToEat]

please see the edit to the original post

[pescatarian]

I love the food at Tabla: http://www.dine.to/tablawinebar

[estufarian]

I think Tabla is currently the best 'Indian" place in Toronto.

[pinstripeprincess]

clarity perhaps in defining "upscale-ish" as well?

could that include trendy and hip? or are we looking at formal dining service with table cloths?

if trendy and hip does apply, then i might suggest banu on queen west. they can be upscale-ish in that their service is nice and the setting is certainly not a dive... but you will have to be ok with the 20-30 somethings that invade the place mostly for the hookas.

would 93 harbord fit into that description as well? this is still a resto that i haven't made my way towards.

[TorontoJo]

Yep, I was going to suggest 93 Harbord for upscale dining with middle eastern flavours. Xacutti might also fit the bill. It's not authentic Indian, but rather upscale cuisine that uses Indian flavours.

Decor at 93 Harbord is more elegant, and at Xacutti is more urban hip.

Here's the dinner menu at Xacutti: http://www.xacutti.com/site/menus/Din...

[JamieK]

I was going to suggest 93 Harbord too --

[Splendid Wine Snob]

I "third" 93 Harbord

[JonasBrand]

Matahari is the spot. Excellent Malaysian cuisine. Super nice staff. Both cozy and upscale. Won't break the bank either. Mmmmm, enjoy!

[vorpal]

I was also going to suggest MataHari, but you've beaten me to it. One of my favourite restaurants in Toronto. The food is divine: I generally dislike seafood (especially shrimp), but at this place I find the prawns irresistible as they're so large and tender.

[Splendid Wine Snob]

I also "third" Matahari ;)

[phoenikia]

For Middle Eastern, I'd suggest Tabule. I'm not sure if it fits your idea of upscale, but it has a nicer atmosphere than most Middle Eastern restos. As TorontoJo and Pinstripe suggested, 93 Harbord is another option for upscale Middle Eastern. I like the food better at Tabule.

For Indian, I'd suggest Tabla near Yonge and Lawrence. Or Amaya on Bayview.

I don't know of any "upscale-ish" African restaurants, but if you're interested in some upscale contemporary dining with African influences and flavours, you might want to try the Spice Room in Hazelton Lanes. http://www.spiceroommanyata.com/spice...

[Yum2MyTum]

I've been meaning to try Amaya The Indian Room on Bayview. It's gotten some good reviews as an upscale Indian eatery.

[insideman]

couillard's spice room?

[tarteaucitron]

I'm a little surprised no one has mentioned this one yet. I don't know if it is "upscale-ish" enough because the place is somewhat casual (and you even eat with your fingers). I do see a lot of intimate dinners going on whenever I am there, though.

There are many good places that I do not go back often because I don't like being repetitive, but I keep going back to this one.

http://www.ethiopianhouse.com/

[pistachio peas]

pomegranate on college, just east of bathurst is a nice persian place. i like the atmosphere and the service is pleasant. try the fesenjan with chicken. it's a stew made with walnuts and pomegranate.