Thai Street Food was the cuisine of choice. The restaurant had two locations in East York and Scarborough, and the former was chosen on the basis of distance and commuting convenience.
More than six months following our last Scarborough excursion, a hangout had finally been secured with feedthebear.
More than six months following our last Scarborough excursion, a hangout had finally been secured with feedthebear.
I proudly declare Jatujak to have been my decision: the online menu was vast and very economic, while their dishes possessed colourful visual representations and, overall, positive feedback.
The drive was a bit hectic, given the unforeseen traffic conditions diverging weekend morning congestion to the southeast quarters of the city. A few detours later, I found myself heading down Victoria Park in search of the spot.
Had I not been on the lookout for this particular establishment, I would have missed it entirely. Situated in a small plaza, neighbouring a tech shop and shady-looking nail salon was the black and yellow storefront.
The drive was a bit hectic, given the unforeseen traffic conditions diverging weekend morning congestion to the southeast quarters of the city. A few detours later, I found myself heading down Victoria Park in search of the spot.
Had I not been on the lookout for this particular establishment, I would have missed it entirely. Situated in a small plaza, neighbouring a tech shop and shady-looking nail salon was the black and yellow storefront.
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Parking was ample with a high turnover rate. Although, it admittedly tricky to manouever given the lack of space between rows and singular access/egress path. One cannot imagine the horrors of attempting to find a spot in twilight or late evening hours - street lighting appeared minimal.
We had made a reservation prior, though the restaurant was largely peaceful before noon. Instead of the dim booth offered, I inquired whether we could occupy the end of a communal table instead. This request was granted instantaneously.
We had made a reservation prior, though the restaurant was largely peaceful before noon. Instead of the dim booth offered, I inquired whether we could occupy the end of a communal table instead. This request was granted instantaneously.
Two utensil sets - er, fork and napkin duos - lay before me. A jug of water and two plastic cups later made their way over. Water stains were still present on these drinking devices, but at least they did not exhibit griminess.
While in wait, I narrowed down my entrée pick and called for a Thai Iced Tea. The opportunity to taste one of my favourite sweetened tea renditions at an authentic diner could not go to waste.
While in wait, I narrowed down my entrée pick and called for a Thai Iced Tea. The opportunity to taste one of my favourite sweetened tea renditions at an authentic diner could not go to waste.
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View the full album HERE !
Priced at $4.25, it wasn't as budget-friendly as I had expected (in comparison to Basil Box). Nonetheless, it was still significantly less than that of Bake Code and retained the dosage of authenticity that I craved.
The beverage was served in a mason jar donning a mustache print - scratched from long periods of usage. Distinct layers of dark tea and off-white creamer were visible from the other side of the glass.
The beverage was served in a mason jar donning a mustache print - scratched from long periods of usage. Distinct layers of dark tea and off-white creamer were visible from the other side of the glass.
The tea was bold and aromatic, while the creamer provided an adequate of milkiness. A smooth concoction it was; its slightly sweet profile also lent a spice-neutralizing effect that later proved useful in the consumption process.
We settled on mains shortly after my food-snapping partner-in-crime made her entrance: Mango Salad, Tom Kha with Chicken, and Lemongrass Chicken Wings to share.
The popular appetizer consisted of about ten wings, each dressed in a sticky red sauce. Crispy skin was offset with a sweet and spicy sauce, while fleshy bits remained supple inside. Whether individually frozen wings were used is questionable, as the skin and flesh detached from the bones in a strangely effortless manner. Rather than being "fall off the bone" tender, the fine bones actually showed signs of detaching from each other at the joints.
The marinade was largely devoid of lemongrass, though notes of sweet chili were enjoyed.
The popular appetizer consisted of about ten wings, each dressed in a sticky red sauce. Crispy skin was offset with a sweet and spicy sauce, while fleshy bits remained supple inside. Whether individually frozen wings were used is questionable, as the skin and flesh detached from the bones in a strangely effortless manner. Rather than being "fall off the bone" tender, the fine bones actually showed signs of detaching from each other at the joints.
The marinade was largely devoid of lemongrass, though notes of sweet chili were enjoyed.
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Mango Salad was a substantial dish served alongside a wispy thin rice paper (?) shell and generous sprinkle of cashews, crushed peanuts, and cilantro. Shreds of firm yet ripe green mango made up the base of the salad. Towards the bottom of the dish was a translucent dressing that was equal parts tangy and savoury with a bit heat.
Tom Kha, the sole soup option guaranteeing 100% mildness, had been paired with Coconut Rice for added degrees of satisfaction. The base of the soup was a creamy coconut milk, with distinct punches of lemon (and potentially lemongrass). Mushrooms and onions made up the bulk of the soup, while protein in the form of beef, chicken, shrimp, or tofu could be included at an additional charge. A selection of chicken incurred a one-dollar fee and prompted the addition of extremely lean pieces of chicken breast.
A side of Coconut Rice rang in at $3.95, which is on the hefty side of the spectrum considering the soup itself to only be $6.95. In spite of its not-so-economic nature, it was deemed indispensible in the devouring process. The grains were neither too frail nor too plump. Between each speck was an indescribable cohesiveness - it bore a resemblance to sticky rice, but contributed a comforting fragrance amidst delicate flavour.
It paired exceptionally with the soup, establishing status as a Thai street food power duo.
A side of Coconut Rice rang in at $3.95, which is on the hefty side of the spectrum considering the soup itself to only be $6.95. In spite of its not-so-economic nature, it was deemed indispensible in the devouring process. The grains were neither too frail nor too plump. Between each speck was an indescribable cohesiveness - it bore a resemblance to sticky rice, but contributed a comforting fragrance amidst delicate flavour.
It paired exceptionally with the soup, establishing status as a Thai street food power duo.
Service was friendly until the restaurant reached its busier hours near 1:30 pm. A less patient - and seemingly less experienced - member of staff had been added to the afternoon serving crew and wasn't the nicest in terms of tending to our few requests of the visit. Aside from this particular individual, we witnessed smiles and utmost patience (in the ordering process).
Bathrooms were located at the foot of a creaky wooden staircase. Probably the most ancient aspect of the eatery, inefficient toilets, sticky floors, and a classic (read: old) paper towel dispenser were its defining characteristics. The toilet paper dispenser had been substituted for an unprotected wooden handle instead, while the metal locks on the door had evidently undergone up to two installation/removal procedures.
With the exception of the bathroom facilities and communal table stool seating, the remainder of the restaurant remains accessible.
Bathrooms were located at the foot of a creaky wooden staircase. Probably the most ancient aspect of the eatery, inefficient toilets, sticky floors, and a classic (read: old) paper towel dispenser were its defining characteristics. The toilet paper dispenser had been substituted for an unprotected wooden handle instead, while the metal locks on the door had evidently undergone up to two installation/removal procedures.
With the exception of the bathroom facilities and communal table stool seating, the remainder of the restaurant remains accessible.
Interior furnishings are simple yet modern - light fixture choices, saturated yellow walls, a large hanging flag, and a chalkboard of drawings emit a casual vibe while paying homage to exotic Thai roots.
Should Jatujak open an outpost closer to home, I'd likely take to feasting every so often. Mississauga is devoid of unique and authentic eateries such as this, though Scarborough is too lengthy a trek to consistently visit.
Should Jatujak open an outpost closer to home, I'd likely take to feasting every so often. Mississauga is devoid of unique and authentic eateries such as this, though Scarborough is too lengthy a trek to consistently visit.
We made a brief stop at Scarborough Town Centre, seeing as it was en route to our next destination. (Truthfully, I suggested a spot to walk off feelings of fullness first.)
Locating a parking spot was less stressful than feared. Dropping by at the same visiting hours back home would be pose an unthinkable feat on a warm weekend afternoon.
Locating a parking spot was less stressful than feared. Dropping by at the same visiting hours back home would be pose an unthinkable feat on a warm weekend afternoon.
A belated Chinese New Year activity was taking place in the atrium, so we stopped by to take a look. Ultimately, both of us the mall with a red envelope
in hand and at least one of Brioche Dorée's extra scrumptious Portuguese Tarts.
in hand and at least one of Brioche Dorée's extra scrumptious Portuguese Tarts.
Read Part 2 HERE !
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