Chez Evalina - Scarborough

On Monday, I visited Wexford Plaza in search of a Caribbean restaurant, but ended up discovering Chez Evalina instead. The restaurant had a welcoming atmosphere, with beautifully arranged tables and comfortable chairs. The friendly owner greeted me as I perused the menu, which offered reasonable prices. Having recently spent time in the Middle East and North Africa, I knew I would not leave hungry. I ordered the Kafta and settled at a table by the window. Shortly after, the owner served me steaming hot tea and the best hummus I had tasted in years, accompanied by two pitas. As I enjoyed the appetizers, a bowl of assorted vegetables appeared, including pickled beets, olives, and onions. The owner informed me that my main dish was being freshly prepared, but I was in no rush as I savored the side dishes. When my main course arrived, I was delighted to find a green salad, two skewers of meat in a pita, and the most delicious rice I had ever tasted. The long grain white rice was lightly coated in oil, topped with almond slivers, and a hint of paprika, making it heavenly. I complimented the owner on the cleanliness of the restaurant and inquired about how long they had been open. To my surprise, he mentioned they had only opened the previous Tuesday. I helped myself to more tea from the large samovar and chatted with another customer as I relaxed after my meal. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the operation and promised to return. I wished them luck and left feeling satisfied.

Mary Browns in Fort Saskatchewan is a hit. Sometimes their food can be hit or miss, but overall the experience at this location is a positive one.

"The chicken and taters are consistently delicious. However, the Big Mary was disappointing as it was dry and thin. I heard that on Mondays it's a special and much improved. The staff, while not overly friendly, are not rude either."