Linda moving

[JamieK]

With all the hullaballoo about the new McEwan gourmet grocery store at Shops at Don Mills in a recent thread, I wonder if anyone has noted that Linda Thai restaurant is apparently moving to the same shopping complex -
http://tinyurl.com/dd3k23

[epsilontau]

My SO and I had dinner there last night and confirmed that Linda's will be re-locating to Don Mills. April 22nd is the opening date. You can see the concept design and photos of the construction progress for the new restaurant along the wall for the Salad King waiting line. The current upstairs venue will be taken over by Salad King. And yes, the $30 prix fixe is a steal as usual based on their fantastic service and delicious food.

[MargieEv]

Drat...I liked going there pre theatre. I would never be in the new location's area.

[lonestartor]

Can I ask about the prix fixe menu? What items were on it?

[epsilontau]

This month the starter was fish cake + mushroom; followed by a crab soup; a choice of: crispy duck, mango shrimp, and stir-fry beef tenderloin; and apricot + ice cream.

We didn't get the crispy duck and opted for a side order of phad thai since we've never tried their take on it. Our three mains arrived at the same time and we forgot to have them served as they're ready since the shrimp & beef mains were not as hot. We've had the mango shrimp before and it was simply amazing! Our first time trying out the beef stirfry and it was quite boring frankly. Stick with the duck or shrimp :)

[ellebelle]

I'm having dinner there tomorrow night, any suggestions as to any specific items I should definitely order from the menu? I think I've heard good things about the Crispy Duck entree. I'm having dinner there with my SO also. Do you recommend that we both order the prix fixe or should one of us opt for the regular menu items?
Thanks :)

[phoenikia]

For me, it would depend on what the current prix fixe includes (the prix fixe changes monthly) & how much food I wanted to eat. I loved the soup and I found the mains to be quite good the last time I ordered the prix fixe. I don't usually order beef when I'm in Thai restaurants, but I tried the beef panang because it was part of my prix fixe. It was the best tasting version of panang I've tried- and any other versions I've had since then have not come close. I didn't like the dessert- mostly because it was melon-based and I'm not a huge fan of melon unless it's served straight up. But that being said, everyone else at my table liked the dessert.

If you are watching your weight, I definitely wouldn't order the prix fixe- I found it to be a very generous amount of food.

If I was ordering off the menu, I'd order one of their soups (I like the Tom Kha Gai) & Thai Islamic Noodles. I'm not a big fan of their smoked duck curry, but the servers always seem to recommend it.

[TorontoJo]

I (and my broken record) highly recommend the curry fish hot pot -- really nice balance of flavours and I could eat just a bowl of the sauce with a spoon. But the prix fixe is a great deal, so if that looks appealing, go for it.

[BokChoi]

I would second the fish hot pot. Fantastic dish and very satisfying. Though it will appear small at first, the creaminess of the curry will quickly satiate you. The prix fixe is a great deal, but personally I have had better luck a la carte. I would second the Tom Kha Gai soup that phoenikia recommended as well. That should be enough to fill you up. The sticky rice, though good, was a bit too firm for me. Just as an FYI. A dish I really disliked would be the stuffed calamari with rice. It was part of the prix fixe when I dined there. Penang Beef was a great suggestion as well.

Here is another thread where I talk more about the food: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/591515

Cheers!

[Full tummy]

Perfect!!! Right on my way home from work.

[magic]

According to the site's mini-bio of Linda Thai it mentions that the business is 18 years old?! Is this true??

[JamieK]

It doesn't seem right, does it? According to chefdb, Linda opened in 2004.
http://www.chefdb.com/pl/2607/

[Blueicus]

Can only assume it includes Salad King as well.

[peppermint pate]

I'd be shocked if Salad King left its goldmine of a location for the Shops at Don Mills (not unless Ryerson was moving with it!!).

[Googs]

And the starving masses of the Eaton Centre. And the theatre goers. And the tourists. Good point peppermint.

[Blueicus]

I didn't mean Salad King is moving, I only meant it in terms of the business being 18 years old.

[peppermint pate]

Doh - never mind! Really, though - Salad King is 18 years old (even if you add it on to Linda's for a combined age)?

[Teep]

I remember going to Salad King in the early 90s when it was on Dundas Street, in the old building where the Toronto Life Square is now. They used to (surprise!) sell salads - I think I liked their schnitzel with cole slaw - with Thai food being on the side lines. This was way before Thai was hot like it is today.

[magic]

Yeah schnitzel in the early 90s isn't quite a multidecade Thai sensation. How misleading. Not that it matters that much, but that 18 year bit is kinda low.

[peppermint pate]

I always wondered where the name Salad King came from - seemed so random and disconnected to the buzzy Thai spot that it is now. Thanks for the history lesson.

[magic]

Probably yeah...still sounds odd.....

[magic]

Even 2004 surprises me. Interesting. Hmm, well thanks for the legwork!

[Googs]

I saw that a while back. I was kinda hoping it would be a 2nd location.

[childofthestorm]

Aw crap. That just became a real schlep for me. I wonder if prices will rise too?