New Haandi 2000 Restaurant review
So I was led here after a tennis game on a supposed platonic basis by this guy who appeared way too eager for a hook-up than to just play tennis. I really wanted something light like sushi especially after a workout but out of convenience of location and lack of proper attire, Little India it was.
I always take it as a good sign when restaurants reviewed by the community or mainstream press post their printed matter spotlight by the entrance or their windows, and New Haandi proudly displays theirs, distinguishing them from their competitors. Apparently, local municipal government figures discovered New Haandi and have spread the word as a local hole-in-the-wall favourite.
We went in for the buffet dinner, which is located at the right rear corner nearest to the kitchen as most of these places are. Perhaps it was because we were in Little India, but I noticed that there was plentiful food in each serving station despite the late hour, compared with an Indian place I tried on Church St., just south of Bloor. You can tell this one is family-run as there was many middle-aged staff standing behind the cashier on the left corner opposite the buffet, while the younger ones were doing the running of drink orders and table clearing.
The food itself was tasty and as is common in South Asian cooking, heavily seasoned, so beware of your sodium intake with certain dishes. Compared to my extended family's cooking, the food is by no means hot. New Haandi has more or less played it safe by abiding to the mild to medium standard that appeals to the North American palate.
I was happy that they offered galub jamin and variety of ice creams for dessert but unfortunately I wasn't too impressed with the taste. Like many ethnic sweets such as baklava, it depends on the recipe - it can be hit or miss - and this one was a miss. Yes it was sweet but it tasted more like play dough and as I'm not Ralph Wiggum, I declined to eat the 2nd ball I greedily picked up.
Washrooms are located in the basement and leave a lot to be desired, notwithstanding wheelchair access, but if you don't pay attention to the details and are in and out quickly enough then perhaps you won't be turned off by the rest of the establishment.
Overall, if you're looking for a casual place to fill up on some good Indian food, this is a good local spot. There were tables around us of locals and a young group of guys with their friends which are again, another subtle hint of community approval and acceptance. Despite the washroom facilities and galub jamin, I left happily satisfied.
I always take it as a good sign when restaurants reviewed by the community or mainstream press post their printed matter spotlight by the entrance or their windows, and New Haandi proudly displays theirs, distinguishing them from their competitors. Apparently, local municipal government figures discovered New Haandi and have spread the word as a local hole-in-the-wall favourite.
We went in for the buffet dinner, which is located at the right rear corner nearest to the kitchen as most of these places are. Perhaps it was because we were in Little India, but I noticed that there was plentiful food in each serving station despite the late hour, compared with an Indian place I tried on Church St., just south of Bloor. You can tell this one is family-run as there was many middle-aged staff standing behind the cashier on the left corner opposite the buffet, while the younger ones were doing the running of drink orders and table clearing.
The food itself was tasty and as is common in South Asian cooking, heavily seasoned, so beware of your sodium intake with certain dishes. Compared to my extended family's cooking, the food is by no means hot. New Haandi has more or less played it safe by abiding to the mild to medium standard that appeals to the North American palate.
I was happy that they offered galub jamin and variety of ice creams for dessert but unfortunately I wasn't too impressed with the taste. Like many ethnic sweets such as baklava, it depends on the recipe - it can be hit or miss - and this one was a miss. Yes it was sweet but it tasted more like play dough and as I'm not Ralph Wiggum, I declined to eat the 2nd ball I greedily picked up.
Washrooms are located in the basement and leave a lot to be desired, notwithstanding wheelchair access, but if you don't pay attention to the details and are in and out quickly enough then perhaps you won't be turned off by the rest of the establishment.
Overall, if you're looking for a casual place to fill up on some good Indian food, this is a good local spot. There were tables around us of locals and a young group of guys with their friends which are again, another subtle hint of community approval and acceptance. Despite the washroom facilities and galub jamin, I left happily satisfied.