PŌPA Burmese Kitchen — Restaurant in Toronto

We've been twice, and both times, food and overall service (so polite, and attentive) was excellent. If you want to know why I therefore removed a star, just skip to the bottom paragraph.

So far, we've tried the Mohinga (excellent) Mango Pickled Lamb Curry (delicious and well-cooked, but not spicy despite what they told me, and not sure I'm getting any pickled mango which is why I ordered it!), Khowsuey (vegetarian version), coconut rice (not sweet or sticky, so perfect for the curries). We shared a delicious potato appetizer (not on posted online menu as of the time of this review), which was deep fried potato pieces tossed in dry seasoning of chilli, green onion and peanuts. The chilli/garlic "street" noodles (also not on posted online menu despite it being available for many months on the menu in the restaurant) was enjoyed on both occasions; we added chicken to it and asked for it spicy (they didn't really make it too spicy, so ask for extra chilli flakes on the side if you want it very spicy).

Portions are a good size for sharing family-style, and I still definitely had enough for 2 meals, at least. Curries don't come with rice, so you have to order rice separately.

Both times we've been, we ordered from their extensive tea menu. As a tea "connoisseur" or at least being willing to pay for better quality/more unusual teas/attuned to subtleties in the flavours/know the difference between oolong and milk oolong tea for example (no, one doesn't come with milk!), I expected the servers to be able to answer questions and know the correct preparation of different teas.

I've taken off one star solely because of my latest experience in which I ordered "white needle tea" which is an uncommon, delicate variety (white referring to the immature tea leaves, low oxidation). (If tea is not important to you, you can stop reading now because everything else was top notch and I'm picky about tea!) The tea menu specifically says this tea should be enjoyed in multiple steepings to experience the changing flavours - and this is one of my favourite things about drinking tea. At home, I usually do a 1 minute steeping for my first cup of white tea, then 2-3 min, not exceeding 4-5 min ever for white tea! The cups they provide are the small traditional Eastern tea cups, which lend themselves specifically to small and multiple steepings/tastings. The tea arrived already steeping in a 4-cup size teapot and the server recommended steeping for 7 mins (?!?!) and provided a timer. I told him that even the menu suggests multiple steepings for white tea and that I wanted to do shorter steepings. He seemed confused and just reiterated the 7 mins is what is recommended "for all teas". It didn't make any sense to me and I was concerned white tea may become bitter in 7 mins...but decided to trust his recommendation. I did pour a cup at the almost 2 min mark (I used my watch since he didnt bring the 2 min timer) which was delicious (lighly grassy/floral as white tea should be), but it was so hot I could not finish it in time to pour another cup (or track him down to ask for another cup) until the 6 min mark! I managed to ask him to bring another cup at 7 mins. The 6 min cup was tinged with bitterness and the 7 min cup (his recommended steeping time) was ruined. For me, being so concerned, rightfully so, that my tea was going to be ruined took me out of being able to enjoy the company I was with. So, I suggest you ask for several cups if you actually want to try the multiple steepings the menu recommends/can't drink a boiling hot cup within 2 mins. You'd need to be ok with later cups having cooled. Or, when you place the order, ask that you control the amount and timing of water poured into teapot - they don't seem to be set up for that by default. Servers need training on different teas and preparation nuances if rare teas continue to be a big...

We had a birthday dinner at Popa last night and experienced good food, but left in extreme annoyance. Here I'll lay out the multiple disappointments throughout the night:

When we arrived on time for our reservation, the tables were not ready. Minor thing, we waited about 15mins. I had called in advance to ask if we could bring our own cake and have it there and the person on the phone very warmly told me no problem we could store it in their fridge. Once there we handed them the cake and it was taken from us and nothing was mentioned. We were seated and had a great meal. The two waiters were really helpful and friendly. When we asked to have the cake served, the waiter complied but a little later the manager walks over to tell us that there was actually a 20% cake cutting fee. 20%!! I told her the situation, that no one had mentioned anything about a fee until that point, and she went to "check" with whoever was on the phone only to tell me that she was a trainee and that we would still need to be charged. We didn't have it there but had to carry it back home. Also a waiter had brought over a tray with plates for the cake and she actually sends him back! The manager apologetically tells us that of course a restaurant would want to encourage people to get their dessert rather than let them bring outside food - I think she missed the point of a birthday cake. She then proceeds to ask us if any of us wanted dessert. One person ordered their tarts, and she asks if any of us would want any. When no one else wants to order, all of a sudden, she tells us the kitchen is closing and that they would have to bake the tarts and that they wouldn't be able to at this point. We get it, it's a hassle. But who in their right minds in the service industry would ask someone if they wanted something only to deny them a few seconds later?? There were also still a few tables with people at this point so it's not like we would be causing some major OT over some tarts.

All in all, the place was nicely decorated, they had pretty good food and drinks, and the staff was friendly. Unfortunately that's not the impression that was left in our minds because we were all so shocked by the lack of accommodation and the manager's lack of understanding of basic customer service. We do not want to get anyone fin trouble, this is merely feedback for improvement. Of course she didn't mean to offend, she should just see her actions from a third party...

Came here for Winterlicious 2023 after seeing the positive reviews. I was excited about this place before coming. However, after leaving the restaurant, it left much to be desired.

Warning for those coming for the Winterlicious menu: It's $35 + tax + a mandatory 18% gratuity. Maybe it's because of the mandatory gratuity, the servers didn't really provide much of an experience, and didn't check on us. They missed someone's drink in the next table.

Overall: The overall experience felt more like a tasting menu. The portion sizes were small, and I left the restaurant feeling hungry. Everything was overcooked and also lacked a depth of flavour. Usually restaurants either give quantity or quality, and it's sad to say that this restaurant does neither.

Appetizers: Salt and Pepper Calamari: The order only came with 4 rings!! The batter was extremely hard and had no flavour. The whole dish depended on a sweet Thai chili sauce for flavour.

Lamb Bao: Order only has one bao. They skimped on the meat AND the sauce, which wasn't good because the only flavour you get from the bao was the sauce. Overall, you taste more bun than actual meat/sauce.

Dynamite Shrimp: This was an appetizer we ordered on top of the Winterlicious menu. Flavour was good, but shrimps were about 41-60 in size. One order came with about 10 pieces of shrimp. Ours came out overcooked and rubbery.

Mains: Rangoon Chicken Curry: One order came with five 1x1 inch cubes. The curry lacked depth in flavour; I couldn't taste anything past an immediate taste of curry. Tasted like water after about 3 seconds. Chicken was inconsistent, some pieces were tender, some were dry.

Burmese Fried rice: Pretty standard. Not much flavour in it. They give about half a bowl of rice.

Chicken Khao Suey: Came with 5 cubes of chicken as well, but were definitely overcooked. The hard boiled egg also came overcooked (you can see the grey ring on the yolk). The dish came with a side of toppings which were peanuts, lentils, chili flakes, chopped cilantro, etc. For us, these toppings didn't do too much to add to the dish.

Dessert: Macau Egg Tarts: Highlight of the meal. The tart was flaky, and filling was gooey. Not too sweet - which is how Macau egg tarts are supposed to be. But $9 on the regular menu?!? Even for 2 pieces, that is extremely pricey. You can find similar quality for much cheaper prices around the city in...