Enjoy a flavourful Indian feast at Bindia Bistro on Market Street
Market Street is going to be a great place to be this summer. The revitalization taking shape does a wonderful job of blending the historical feel of the buildings with a fresh, modern twist. It’s also going to be more pedestrian friendly with larger sidewalks which makes for roomier patios and sweet sips into the dusk.
There are only a few businesses open currently, but one little gem at 16 Market Street, is Bindia Bistro. This family run restaurant is named for the owner’s young daughter and all of the recipes have been handed down in the family from generation to generation. The space creates its own fusion of traditional Indian with a contemporary feel.
One of the many things to love about Bindia is the freshness and quality of the food. Many of the products used in the kitchen come directly from other businesses in and around Market Street, meaning you can’t get more local than that. It’s wonderful to see the collaboration going on between small businesses like these in the city, ensuring that their little eco-systems thrive.
The aesthetic of Bindia is clean and fresh. Everything in the restaurant was chosen with complete attention to every detail.
The food at Bindia is rich, flavourful and a treat for the palate. All of the mains are cooked in a traditional Indian clay oven called a tandoor, making the food that much more authentic.
I enjoyed my meal with an Indian Cheetah Beer. No major fan of beer on a good day, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it perfectly complemented the dishes that I sampled. Here are my recommendations and favourite picks for what to try.
The dishes at Bindia are tasty and presented beautifully.
Begin with the Sev Puri
These crispy hollow shells are filled with potatoes, onion and house blended spices and is sprinkled with tamarind chutney and chick pea noodles. It’s a perfect way to embark on this magical taste journey.
Dive into the Tandoori Jumbo Prawns
These shrimp really are quite large and they are deeply marinated in tandoori spices and served with mint and tamarind chutney. – I did not want the shrimp to ever end, this dish is excellent.
For a vegetarian option (or lighter fare) try the Paneer Tikka and Malai Kofta
The Paneer tikka are delightful little cheese cubes, marinated in yogurt and mild spices and is served with tandoor baked onions and bell peppers. The Malai Kofta are veggie and homemade cheese dumplings and is mixed with dry fruit and cooked on a mild, creamy cashew sauce.
Tasty Chicken Tikka and Mint Tikka
These two dishes begin the same with fresh, moist pieces of chicken breast but end in two very different flavourful finishes. One is marinated in yogurt and tandoori spices and served on a bed of lentils, drizzled with fresh mint chutney. The other is marinated in fresh mint and coriander, served with bell peppers and chutney. I would be hard pressed to choose which of the two I preferred. They were both very good.
The best Raita
Make sure you spring the $3 for Bindia’s raita. Such a simple accompaniment—house made yogurt, shredded cucumbers and a touch of roasted cumin, but, this may have been the most palate pleasing raita I have ever enjoyed.
I did sample some other dishes that didn’t blow me away. I felt they lacked the flavour and depth that I enjoyed and came to expect in everything else. Overall, the food was really very good and I will definitely go back.
See you there.
Bindia Bistro
16 Market Street
Toronto, ON
416-863-0000
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