Honest Restaurant Burlington — Restaurant in Burlington

I first noticed Honest in the Brant Street plaza during the world juniors. My friend Troy is the General Manager of LA Fitness. The boys and I were playing Squash last Wednesday and decided to head over to Shoeless Joes to watch the rest of the Semi Finals against the United States. Canada won!

I was immediately intrigued by the flashy sign and the Vegetarian label. That night, I told myself, I will come check it out one day.

Fast forward 9 days, and finally my dreams have met my waking reality. The evening started once again from the same origin, LA Fitness on Brant Street. A diligent leg workout, allowed my appetite to flourish. I parked in the middle of the movie theatre parking lot, half way between both the gym and the restaurant. I walked to both.

Immediately upon entering I was impressed by the amount of people, who clearly shared my curiosity. I broke it in small talk with two customers waiting for their takeout order. They informed me that the full menu was not yet available. The aesthetic inside was rather pleasing.

I was taken to my seat, and before I got the menu I admired the table across from me, that had plates galore, filled with delicacies, some I had never seen.

With the menu in my hands, my mind was transported to exotic lands, where these dishes are the authentic, local, historic cuisine. Admittedly, I was unfamiliar with many of the names of the dishes I had seen, though from looking around and smelling the air, I knew I could not make a bad choice.

The server asked me for my choice and I had informed them that I would like a vegan option. No sooner had I finished my sentence than was the owner of the restaurant helping me find the vegan options. Talman(the owner) gently guided me to the Samosa chaat, Pani Puri, and SevPuri.

I dove back into my book The Three Body Problem while awaiting my meal. My hunger was growing, but so too was my confidence that I would be treated to a delicious repast.

The first to arrive was the Pani Puri. I had never seen a dish like this, and I was not sure how to eat it. Intuition told me the liquids go in the orbs. I dipped the first one in the chutney and then into the green pool. At first bite, I was once again transported to a faraway land. Shortly after my Sev Puri and my Samosa chaat arrived. Each one was as delicious as the next.

Twice while I was eating Talman(the owner) came to check on me to make sure it was good. I assured him it was divine. The only mistake I made was underestimating how satisfying the meals would be. I finished the Pani Puri, and found satiation halfway through the Sev Puri and Samosa Chaat. I was torn between continuing to eat because it tasted so good and saving some for later.

I thought, I could not be more impressed with the meal, the staff and the restaurant until I was delivered my takeout container, made out of an eco friendly paper box.

On the way out I thanked Talman for the dining experience. He assured me that they will be rolling out the entire menu shortly with more vegan options. I assured him I would be back.

This is to everyone in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, Milton and the surrounding area. YOU NEED TO GET...

Food was tasty but so unnecessarily full of oil that it gave me indigestion. I asked "is it ghee"? I was told it was oil.

Why spend the money on extra oil even though it's cheap? Soybean, cottonseed and canola (oils most frequently used at restaurants) are very unhealthy oils for the heart and arteries, not to mention the waistline. It gave me indigestion. Food mostly yummy, but had bad effect later.

The dosa came out cold, but tasted good anyway since I was so hungry. Chutneys tasted good, Sambar tasted excellent, though no drumstick in it and again, too much oil floating on top. I took some extras home and next day, even more oil floating on top. Chana Masala also had gobs and puddles of oil floating and very small portion of chickpeas. Good flavour though. I do commend the spicing.

Except the Pani Puri. The Pani Puri had pepper sprinkled so heavily on top, it was the spiciest thing I ate out of everything and that should not be the case. Unpleasantly spicy too, because who wants the taste of pepper to override every other good flavour? Otherwise, the cilantro-mint water and tamarind it was served with good. The puffs were fresh and had good amount of stuffing. Too bad it was ruined by heavy handed sprinkling of spices on top at the end. (The pepper was all over the food and all over the tray it was served in too).

When I called the restaurant the next day and asked to speak to the manager, I was told they were not there. When I asked for their name I was told it was "private and confidential". Pardon??? Now that's the weirdest thing I've ever heard out of a public restaurant. After all, does anyone convict and imprison the manager over a poor meal? Lol.

So, I have not had this issue resolved, and am disappointed about that. Having said that, I would still give them another chance if they could make their food less oily and make the Pani Puri a little more carefully next time.

The staff were pleasant for the most part, and the seating was comfortable and the decor warm with lights strung in the window. Though at first they wanted me to sit (I came alone), in the middle of the restaurant at a table for 4 with 4 chairs. I felt uncomfortable in the middle of the room and also prefer a booth so asked to sit at one of the 3 empty booth seats. I was told "no" because they are reserved for larger parties since they accommodate 4 people. But so did the 4 chairs!??

I politely asked again, pointing out it was rather late and not too many people were likely to come in now, and asked to sit at the back, where I could eat alone without feeling uncomfortable. This time I was told yes, and so that worked out fine after all.

I do hope the mystery manager, if I ever get the chance to speak with them, will make things right for me so I can go back feeling that my concerns are treated with consideration. I want to give this restaurant 5...

Just went to have dinner saturday dec 28th.. i am not sure if the owner does read all low reviews given to this location!!! We have been to an event and honest food catered so that was a push to try your restaurant in Burlington location... honestly i am more worried about the staff..No greetings at all..no smile and warmth or empathy... Dried and not happy at all.. 2 guys in the front.. i had to tell him i need a table and he pointed me choose any table, no one came. I had to raise my arm signalling him hey dude i am ready for the order... no cuttlery served, plates and cuttlery were dirty..even the restaurant inside was dirty and not appealing.. the platter plates were dirty as well.. washroom dirty as well...coming out to food, not bad but some items needs to be reworked and revamped...like pulao tasty yet oily& greesy... the plain dosa cost more than a kids chocolate dosa, which was explain to me that its the same size dosa as a plain dosa, i tried ordering that without chocolate but insisted to order plain dosa which is 2 dollars extra... onions that comes with pulao were stale and seems to be resting in the fridge since days as they tasted frosty and cold... yet you mention that your ingredients are fresh on your menu... i finally pay my bill and even tipped 10%... upon paying my bill the guy just asked me do you need a copy of your bill, i said yes please, he justgave me my bill n receipt and turned his back on me not even saying thank you nor bye.. No Dam courtesy at all.. The 2 guys that were working today was the 2 most unhappiest people i met...not sure why but they do need some training and grooming lessons... this is what matters.... you have a great set up/location/ food ok to best but customer service was a...