India's Taste

I had a hankering for AYCE sushi the other day. But one of my friends doesn't eat anything raw. So that was out of the question.

Instead she suggested Indian buffet which I also enjoy. Though, most of the time, for that, I usually end up across the street from my condo at Chef of India. Problem was they only have a lunch-time buffet and it was too late for that.

So she suggested India's Taste on Denison, east of Woodbine, in Markham. They offer an all-day buffet. We've gone there before. A year or two ago I believe. Back then it was more of a hole in the wall. Now, after renovations, it looks quite nice inside.

We arranged to meet at 6:30. Traffic from my place was a lot better than I expected. I arrived over 15 minutes early. Still I waited until around 6:30 before entering. I didn't want to sit by myself for too long. Luckily there was no line so I was seated right away.

They gave me a booth which was nice. It could actually seat six though there were only two of us. The seating between you and the table was a little tight, but manageable.

They have a good selection of items. I have to admit I know next to nothing about Indian cuisine. So I won't attempt to tell you what they had. Suffice to say, there was a fair bit to choose from. Like the booth we were sitting in, the buffet tables were tightly packed together too. Not a big deal. Just make sure to keep your elbows in.

Shortly after we started eating the crowds came. It was packed. Part of the problem was that my friends, Rob and Kathleen, showed up with their daughter and her ringette team after their game. Their group had at least fifteen people in it. Needless to say, the crowds spilled into the dining area.

We had a good meal. I ate too much. Again. I would have liked to have stayed a little longer to sit and relax, but we sort of felt guilty because of such a long line at the front.

Dinner was a reasonable $15.99 plus tax and tip. Cheaper than a Chinese buffet with better food.

Dinner at Bamiyan Kabob

After watching James Bond - Spectre at Fairview Mall, my friends and I drove up to Markham to grab dinner at Bamiyan Kabob on Highway 7 and East Beaver Creek. I've had take out from there before, but it was awhile ago. So I had a hankering for it again.

I have to say, Saturday night is one of the worst times to go. Not because the restaurant itself was overly crowded, but just the area in general. There are a lot of restaurants there and the place is packed worse than a mall on Boxing Day. Along with many other vehicles we spent a lot of time circling the lot looking for a space to park. It was pretty crazy.

Bamiyan is a decent-sized place. There are quite a few tables to sit at so seating isn't a problem. You order your food and they give you a number. When it's ready they yell out your number and you go back up to the counter and grab it.

Between the three of us we ordered the Choppan Kabob - Lamb chops mildly marinated in different spices, $12.99; Half Chicken Kabob - Half chicken marinated in seasoning, $11.99; Tikka Kabob - Chunks of beef tenderloin marinated in our seasoning, $8.99; and Kabilee Rice - Brown basmati rice topped with raisins, carrots and almonds, $4.99. The first two meals included rice, salad and naan.

I have to say, all the food was good. Though, I particularly liked the chicken and Kabilee rice. It's different from most rice I've had the chance to have in the past. The raisins and carrots add a certain sweetness to it. It's a nice variation.

I'd definitely go back in the future. But probably not on a Friday or Saturday night.

BBQ at Daryl's Place

Grace, Maria (?), Daryl, Sasha

Daryl invited a few of us up to his place in Markham for a potluck BBQ dinner. I know him through Tom who I play hockey with in the winter. Daryl and I car pooled it up to Bracebridge for our cottage/zip-lining adventure.

Tom and Florianne were the first people to arrive along with their friend Jo Woo. She's an artist from Korea who will actually be going back pretty soon. I was next followed by Denise and Lena. I would have arrived earlier had I not witnessed an accident at the Superstore at Don Mills and Eglinton. I stopped there to buy some pies to bring up to Daryl's place.

As I was making my way through the store this fellow around my age slipped on some water that had accumulated on the floor next to a freezer. I guess it wasn't working properly and the food in it had started to defrost leaving water on the floor. As he was walking by he didn't notice it and slipped on the floor landing very hard flat on his back (probably hitting his head too).

He was a bit dizzy after he got up and said he felt nauseous as well. A few of us saw the whole thing. I waited around until the assistant manager came and wrote out what I had seen on a piece of paper along with my contact info. I sure hope the guy will be okay. I told him he should go to the hospital to get himself checked out just in case.

Anyway, back at Daryl's place people started arriving "fashionably late". Tom worked his magic on the BBQ and people were chatting on the deck in the backyard. We ate our dinner there even sitting through a light rain shower. It was only when the light started to fall and the mosquitos came out that we headed indoors.

Back inside I brought my nephews' Camouflage game out. It's a puzzle game where you have to fit six tiles (with polar bears and fish on them) onto different backgrounds that have snow and water printed in various patterns on them. The polar bears have to land on the snow and the fish in the water. There are 48 levels. It can get quite difficult once you make your way up to the higher levels.

Throughout the evening most people got a chance to play at least once. I know they all got a kick out of it. Everyone likes a challenge and the chance to outdo one another. I have to say, Daryl's brother was quite good. I think he was one of the ones who had the most success.