The decoration is eye-catching and full of Northeast Chinese character. The space is styled like a…read morerustic village setting, with wooden booth structures, straw-thatched details, hanging dried corn and chili peppers, and red lanterns that instantly create a warm, festive atmosphere. The use of traditional elements, paper-cut window designs, red Spring Festival couplets, old-style newspaper wall coverings, and exposed brick adds a strong sense of nostalgia. It feels immersive and intentional, almost like stepping into a countryside home in Dongbei rather than a typical restaurant. The décor isn't fancy, but it's rich in cultural detail and warmth, perfectly matching the hearty, comforting style of Northeast Chinese cuisine. The space is unique and perfect for taking photos. The food here is very generous. We ordered the 4-person set with two side pots. Tomato Braised Beef Brisket and Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms and the portions were huge. Both pots arrived steaming hot and filled to the brim, clearly meant for sharing. The braised beef was rich and hearty, while the chicken pot was comforting and full of flavor, making it perfect for group dining or cold weather meals. Combined with the rustic, traditional décor, it really feels like authentic Northeast Chinese comfort food. The food and atmosphere were excellent, though the service was a bit lacking. Prices are reasonable for the generous portion sizes and the unique restaurant décor.

Happy Valley Village Restaurant offers a genuinely unique and memorable culinary journey focused on…read moreauthentic Northeastern (Dongbei) Chinese cuisine. The highlight is the Iron Pot Stew (Tie Guo Dun), an interactive, communal dining experience where a massive iron pot is integrated directly into your table. Diners gather around as meats, seafood, and vegetables simmer in a rich, flavorful broth, filling the air with enticing aromas. Beyond the immersive stew, the restaurant shines with large portions of classic Dongbei dishes and flawless, homemade dumplings. The rustic, nostalgic decor successfully transports guests to a traditional Chinese village setting, enhancing the meal's authenticity. Service is attentive, with staff expertly managing the stew and adding fresh cornbread dough to the pot's sides, which steams to perfection. Happy Valley Village is a must-try for groups seeking great value, a festive atmosphere, and an incredibly satisfying and novel way to share a meal

Really enjoyed my recent experience at KYUSHU. Shared a whole bunch of appetizers and snacks, and…read morewent all out for a yakitori (grilled skewers) omakase lol... didn't know what we were getting but I enjoyed it, especially the grilled abalone! Some must-try items: - Kawahagi (fish jerky) - Uzurazuke (quail eggs) - Tsubu Kimchi (whelk) - Aburi Mentaiko (seared spicy cod roe), must pair with sake! - Nankotsu Karaage (fried chicken knee cartilage) - Honey Ginger Soda (with or without vodka) The whole place is lit up with lights from the "trees", very spacious, and decorated with childhood manga/anime posters and action figures all over ^^ The restaurant also has daily promotions on food and drinks, and lunch specials everyday.

Delicious skewers and discounts on alcohol on Saturday…read more Not so busy tonight , very friendly service and lovely interior design and even the washroom have sailor moon stickers

The restaurant was quite busy when we arrived, but service was impressively quick and genuinely…read morefriendly, which immediately made the experience feel welcoming. The carpaccio was fine, pleasant but fairly straightforward, but everything else we ordered was excellent The octopus was tender, and hearty, paired nicely with potatoes, hummus, some greens, and capers. It was well-balanced and satisfying without feeling heavy. The steak came out a perfect medium-rare and juicy. The nut topping on the fish added a really nice crunch, contrasting beautifully with the soft, tender flesh of the fish. And then there was the duck: the clear standout of the night. It was beautifully cooked and seasoned. The fat kept it incredibly juicy without feeling greasy. The charred cabbage on the side added a subtle smokiness that tied everything together perfectly. Every bite honestly made me happier and happier. Getting to the restaurant was a little confusing at first, but once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. A really enjoyable meal overall, and especially memorable for that duck dish. Definitely a place I'd return to.

Visited this restaurant on mother's day for a lovely lunch :)…read more What we ordered: Zucchini chips: ($27) 8.5/10 I've never had zucchini chips before, they were perfectly fried, light, and went well with the tzatziki. I feel like there could've been more zucchini for the price point Peppercorn steak: ($78) 8.5/10 Very tender and well-cooked steak. I couldn't really taste much of a peppercorn flavor in the sauce though. I prefer my steak on the saltier side so I asked for some salt and they gave me a small bowl of flakey sea salt (my favourite!). Lobster roll ($48): 9/10 I've never had avocado in a lobster roll before, and the flavours & textures actually worked really well together! The lobster tasted fresh and sweet. The fries were crispy and plentiful. This spot is on the pricier side, but the quality of the food, service, and ambiance is reflected in the price.

The food was very flavourful and spicy (at least for me). We had the Kor Moo Gaeng Kua $25.95…read more(coconut curry with pork jowl), the Braised Beef Mas Sa Man $22.95 (tamarind coconut red curry, peanut, and potato), Goong Moun $15.95 (tofu w/ shrimp spring roll) for appetizers, and a mango sticky rice for dessert. Both the coconut curry and tamarind coconut red curry have very rich, creamy, and flavourful sauces. We had the spice level mild for both dishes, but that was still too hot for me, personally. That has nothing wrong to do with the dishes, but just my personal tolerance level. The coconut curry was a treat to eat. The pork jowl was very gummy and chewy. There was also a fried, battered leaf in the dish to provide a crunchy texture to the dish. The tamarind curry was equally as good. The braised beef was a little sweet and tender. There are also nuts in the dish to provide that crunchy texture. The tofu spring rolls we ordered provided much needed relief from the spiciness of the curry dishes. I would have some spring rolls in between to help subside the spicy sensation of the chilis. The spring rolls was surprisingly filling. Our group of 2 was not able to finish all of the tofu rolls and had to take some home. We ended the dish with a delightful order of mango sticky rice. It was another order that helped counteract the the spicy, burning sensation my tongue was having. We appriciated the vibe and look of the place. There were properly thought out furnishings around the space and the walls. Service was also top tier. Our waiter was very patient explaning the dish description, the spice levels, and also saying how the dish is pronounced.

This was an amazing restaurant. The dishes tasted so good. It got rewarded from Michelin since…read more2022. When we called in around 2pm to reserve 6pm table, they were full, only have a spot at 5:30pm and dining time for 1.5 hours. They were pretty busy when we arrived around 5:45pm. And so many people waited outside for tables. We were lucky to book it in advanced. The server was so nice and patient to introduce the popular dishes to us. I couldn't tell by the name of the dish, but I remember what she told me the good ones. The App we ordered the shrimp rolls (Goong Moun $15.95). There were 4 big rolls. The meat was shrimp and port mixed, a little bit spicy and salty. You must dip the fish sweet sauce together, that would make it tasty and not that salty. The main we got a pork curry dish and Tom Yum beef mild (Leng Tom Yum $35.95). My little girl loved the beef without the Tom Yum sauce so much. But I liked the curry sauce more, however, there was no veggies in it. This one was a bit expensive (Kor Moo Gaeng Kua $25.95) with a few pieces of pork only. The 2 main dishes were both come with rice. We ended up with packing up the rice and the sauce home for another meal. It's really tasty meal, and we would definitely come back again for other dishes.

I absolutely loved my experience at Daimaru! The staff is extremely attentive and for an all you…read morecan eat the quality of the meat is actually really good. It was a bit of a wait, given it was a Friday night but totally worth it! To top it off the creme brulee is divine! I always end up eating at least 2-3 for dessert!

**FOOD SAFETY CONCERN** DANGER **…read more We are a table of 9 adults (7 of them seniors) and 1 baby. If you bring a baby, they do not have high chairs, only booster seats FYI. We called ahead since we are a party 6+. We had to try multiple times because our call was left unanswered.. Overall food was great .. until I found something shiny stuck to a shrimp in the hotpot. I was able to figure out what it was once I took it out. A flexible SHARP STEEL filament - Likely from steel wool. GROSS!!!!! And DANGEROUS!!! After I found that, it ruined my appetite and night. I became paranoid and worried about my family biting into steel. Will this result in a trip to the hospital? The server was apologetic and helped us change the broth immediately but honestly I wish there was more from management. It's not like finding a strand of hair. This is serious!!! Daimaru's lack of food safety and poor hygiene is unacceptable. I am still fuming that this happened. They are lucky I found it before any of the 7 seniors found it stuck in their throat or intestines. The nice servers had to hear our anger and frustration. Eventually after the second complaint from us did the manager finally decide to come in personally and address it. Should have addressed it the moment it happened in my opinion. If you eat here, eat at your own risk and check your food carefully. Attaching our receipt of the resolution: 10% off our entire bill. Won't be recommending to anyone.

cheetah is wonderful, she made our dining experience fun,…read morefood was good and overall a great experience, egg yolk salad, green curry ,morning glory all yum

This plaza has a plethora of dining and drink options, but we decided to try out the Thai…read morerestaurant as a table of four. Atmosphere is modern and hip, with music thumping and a bustling dining area. Thankfully, they have plenty of tables so we were able to grab a seat even on a Saturday evening without reservations. We had the papaya salad, fish curry, beef noodle, and the seafood stirfry. They were happy to adjust the spice levels to our liking as we had people at the table that could not eat spicy food. As it is Thai food, a lot of the flavours tend towards the sweeter side, but everything was well balanced and delicious. My personal favourite for the night was the papaya salad as I really enjoyed its bright flavors.

We went on the waitlist around 8:20 PM and didn't get seated until close to 10 PM, but it was…read moreunderstandable since it was a very busy Friday night. The restaurant is a decent size with a cozy and relaxing ambiance. We ordered some of the most popular dishes, and everything that came out was absolutely delicious. Every dish had its own unique flavour and taste. There was a small mix-up with our order when one of the staff accidentally brought us tofu shrimp instead of the fried rice we ordered. Amy, one of the servers/managers, handled the situation so professionally. Even though it was already last call and the kitchen was closing, she was able to have the correct dish remade for us. She sincerely apologized for the mistake and even gave us a complimentary plum drink along with some butter cranberry cookies. Amy provided exceptional customer service and was absolutely awesome throughout the experience. Despite the long wait, the food and service made it worth it. I would definitely recommend this place and will for sure be coming back!

I'm A Little Hot Crab earns its queue. The Singapore chilli crab arrives swimming in a vivid,…read moreglossy sauce -- boldly spiced, subtly sweet, with just enough heat to keep you reaching back in. The crab itself is meaty and fresh, and the bread for dipping makes the sauce the meal's most dangerous feature. Gloves provided; dignity optional. The room is casual, the service attentive and good-humoured. They get busy, so come early or on a weekday. By all accounts from fellow diners, the black pepper and salted egg yolk preparations are equally worth the trip back. I'll be taking their word for it -- soon.

Stopped by for brunch at Next Door, located in the heart of Main St. Unionville. The restaurant is…read moreunique in a sense where it's situated in the historical Unionville Planing Mill. Was seated in their dinning hall ( the other side is more of a bar) and ordered a brunch tower for two. The tower includes their signature malaysian scrambled eggs, chorizo sausage, bacon, Brussel sprouts, toast with buttermilk pancakes stacked at top of the tower. The tower was beautifully presented and what I love most about the tower is their pancakes. Truly fluffy and light with whipped cream on top of it. Overall, service was efficient and attentive, often checked on and refilling water. On top of that, the restaurant has great decor and parking is provided in the back of the restaurant. Its considered on a slightly higher end for brunch ($20-30 range), but it was truly an amazing experience. They also have daily promos so worth checking out for dinner and late night deals.

This is very popular brunch place in Markham - but the options are more limited up here. Came with…read moremy parents to see what the hype is about (a few years after the hype has died down, but oh well). I must say that I do understand why people are drawn to the restaurant - it is very pretty and makes for wonderful pictures! This includes the lovely visuals of the food, which is beautifully presented and extremely photogenic. The taste of the food, although quite acceptable, fell just a bit short of its looks. The variety of colours was not matched with a variety of flavours, and everything was somewhat on the salty and greasy side. That being said, we very much enjoyed the potato hash, pancakes, and French toast. The portion sizes also outdid themselves - if you're coming here for brunch, just be prepared for a long nap in the afternoon! Service was excellent: prompt, helpful, and friendly. The interior is fairly spacious and elegantly decorated. Overall, a pleasant experience even if it's not the most spectacular - and perhaps worth a visit for some based on the aesthetics alone.

Went for the weekend lunch with 4 adults and had a pretty good experience. The place was really…read morebusy and there were lots of people waiting, so it's clearly popular. You get 1 hour 45 minutes for lunch and can choose 4 soup bases for free, which was nice. We picked sukiyaki, spicy sour soup, tom yum, and beef tallow broth. The food selection wasn't huge, but it still felt worth it for the price. Service was pretty quick even though the restaurant was packed. My favorite was the sukiyaki with beef dipped in the onsen egg. Really tasty overall.

Lunch AYCE lite was good value…read more Tomato & Guizhou sour soups looked similar but didn't taste similar. Guizhou was quite spicy & tastier. Tomato was very dilute in comparison. Hokkaido chips had a delicious honey butter sprinkle. Takoyaki was crispy & tasty but had little octopus. Shrimp was below average freshness but squid was above average freshness. Rice cake with brown sugar was small, which was nice for portion control. Service from Ivy was above average.

This is a new concept for us US-East Coasters and we enjoyed the customer service and the process…read moreof how to get your ingredients and how they served your bowl. So, how this works is you get your pot/bowl, get the ingredients you want first, they scale your bowl on how much to charge you, then you select your broth. I didn't want to die that night, so I got the Collagen Bone Broth. Very simple! You can also make your own dipping sauce on the side which made it very convenient if you got a simple broth like me. Restaurant is very modern and hip. I love how things were kept clean, such as the table, floor, stations to get your sauce. We ended with getting the matcha ice cream which was really good! Highly recommend this spot, for sureeee!

I have been to a few malatang and I had high hopes for this one... it did not meet my expectations…read more I joined the waitlist and got called when my table was ready. The area to pick up a bowl was hectic. Very crowded space between picking ingredients and paying. You don't get a table until you pick up your bowl + paid. Everything was just stressful - lots of people, I am in my bulky jacket, holding my purse, etc. The food took some time to come out. Probably around 30 minutes... Ingredients were missing from some of our bowls. And some of the stuff was overcooked. The kimchi soup also had little soup and was very thick??? All the soups were salty but not particularly fragrant or super flavourful. As someone who loves soup noodles, I was not impressed. The best part of the meal was the ice cream. They had a seasonal flavour, ube, which was good but on the sweeter side. The matcha ice cream was great - and my favourite part of my meal. Our bowls ranged from $18 to $30 per a bowl. It's an additional $2 to add cheese and $3 do a bowl of rice. The restaurant can get very busy on a weekend evening, and noisy!