Indian Rice Factory

Summer finds me relaxing in a quaint little patio in the Annex. Koi float elegantly as I sit and listen to the rock waterfall. A flowery garden in an otherwise dismissable backyard, serving me pilao rice, lamb roganjosh and spicy vegetable kofta..

As rich a history that the Indian Rice Factory has, I've never actually had the opportunity in the past to be a customer. It has always been on the list of places to, but one that fell through the cracks because I tend to be super picky when it comes to Indian food.

Sundays are my favourite day to spend exploring the city. The roads are usually quiet and calm, especially if it's one of the first long weekends of the summer. However, the problem is, that it's usually difficult to find a restaurant that's open on Sundays. After driving around parkdale, I make my way to the annex and pullover when I see the Indian Rice Factory. A sign on the front door instructs to walk to the back romantic patio. Through a small door off the side street, you're warmly invited into a gentle oasis. It's early for dinner, so a few tables are occupied. But by the time we finish, not an available seat in sight.

Surrounded by a beautiful raised garden of unusual and exotic flowers and shrubs, the patio is a welcome getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Two metal dishes arrive about a half hour later. Lamb Roganjosh ($13!); A slow cooked lamb shank sits in a tomato curry. Meat falls off the bone and is delicious to every bite. The curry is thin and almost stock like, but decent in taste. Vegetable Kofta ($13!); A small pot of fried vegetables in a garlicky curry. Tender marinated potato and spicy deepfried vegetable balls sit in a rich curry. The kofta surpasses the lamb, but nothing spectacular. What I enjoyed the most was the Pilao($8). A bowl of aged basmati rice with roasted cashews, raisings and peas. The unexpected dollops of pickled carrot ruined the bottom of the bowl, otherwise each bite was greated with soft rice and an array of textures and taste. All dishes were small portions, so I suggest ordering a few and then sharing.