Rikki Tikki — Restaurant in Toronto

Edit: My response to the owners reply

The item that I have been trying to order for the past 3 days is 'Gobi Manchurian'. It's something which I have never ordered before from your restaurant. I obviously wouldn't know how your other items are just by tasting two items from your menu right?

Regarding the order instructions, I had mentioned that the item be made medium spicy 'if possible' and that you send plain sliced onion seperately 'if possible'. By mentioning 'if possible' I made it very clear that I was not demanding anything. You did fulfill those requests in the past and I had praised you for the same in my initial review but that doesn't mean I shouldn't give a honest feedback about your products

The main reason you cancelled my past orders was because you didn't want me to write a honest review about your products. You only want 4 and 5 star reviews whether the food tastes good or not. I don't want to be a part of such a system

After reading my review, your reply as well as my response it will become clear to most people that I have written an unbiased review and that it is you who is unethical and disrespectful, not me

Edit 17 March: Changing from 2 star to 1 star. I placed an order day before yesterday, yesterday and today. Two of them were cancelled and today's has not been confirmed even though its been 20 minutes since I placed the order

I tried their CHILLI FISH a few days ago and it was quite good. Taste can definitely be improved but I didn't have a bad experience so today I decided to order their:

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA - I DIDN'T LIKE IT AT ALL. It was prepared by cooking raw chicken meat (without marinating in any masala) in the tandoor and then adding it into a mixture of vegetables. It is a semi gravy which contains a majority of vegetables and flavourless chicken pieces, not a gravy. This is the first thing which I asked Abishek, the person whom I spoke to before placing the order. He said that it is not a semi gravy due to which I placed the order. There is spice and a little bit of flavour but anyone who is expecting an authentic Indian style chicken tikka masala will be DISAPPOINTED

They send one complimentary gulab jamun along with the order which is a nice gesture. Also, I asked for some plain onion to be sent seperately and they agreed unlike some restaurants who would refuse and ask you to order a salad without...

After braving a 2K trek through a very cold Toronto winter's day, my wife and I were desperate for a culinary sanctuary, and Rikki Tikki delivered! This gem of a restaurant, tucked into one of the most interesting neighborhoods we've seen in all our travels, offered not just warmth, but an array of one-of-a-kind flavors that truly made our taste buds sing.

Our journey began with the sensational Chicken 555 appetizer. The crispy, fried exterior, generously coated in a delectable sauce, was an absolute revelation. It was the perfect start to a memorable meal.

The cocktail menu was equally impressive. I opted for a whiskey-based concoction that tasted like a sophisticated, warming lemonade – a delightful surprise that chased away the winter chill.

For our main courses, the Veggie Korma and Butter Chicken were nothing short of spectacular. The cheese in the korma was fresh and tangy, adding a delightful complexity to the dish. The butter chicken was a masterclass in tender meat and expertly balanced spices. Every bite was a testament to the chef's skill.

However, the true star of our experience was Ratima, our exceptional server. Her grace, attentiveness, and infectious enthusiasm made our evening truly special. She was fun, engaging, and genuinely cared about our experience. Her willingness to share her own stories about life in Toronto and her travels around the world added a personal touch that elevated our dining experience from good to unforgettable.

Rikki Tikki is more than just a restaurant; it's a warm, inviting haven where exceptional food and outstanding service combine to create a truly memorable dining experience. If you're looking for a place to warm your soul and tantalize your taste buds, look no further than Rikki Tikki. Highly...

Update: dined in. Staff is super friendly, all staff actively monitor patrons for satisfaction. My waiter checked on me regularly. Nice ambiance. The people who work here understand quality in food and service.

Best buys (non-veg): Butter chicken, lamb biriyani, any naan

Update: Channa masala was superb. Chic peas at right level of tenderness, ample potatoes, and a masala that is appropriately strong. Went well with the peas pialf

Update: I tried the hyderabad chicken curry. High quality boneless cuts of chicken in a classic south indian curry sauce. Very spicy, but also a good contrast to the other sauce dishes.

Update: I tried the mutton biriyany, and this is the best biriyani in this area. Please look at the pictures of the mutton biriyani I ordered. Deeply flavourful, distinguished from ither biriyanis by its colourfulness and lightly crunchy texture given to it by fried onions and cashews. The mutton is extremely soft like it should be. This is masterfully prepared biriyani.

Top tier butter chicken. One of the best butter chickens in Toronto.

I only came for the butter chicken and it impressed. My benchmark for butter chicken in the city is The Host, and the butter chicken from Rikki Tikki equals that of The Host.

The butter chicken here is on the sweeter side, which is fine. Butter chicken comes in two forms, the sweet style that is in a puree form with some sweetness and a tang to it; the other one is the chunky more buttery balti style which is spicier and greasier.

I thoroughly ate up this butter chicken. I drank the butter chicken gravy like a soup. The gravy was a silky smooth puree that blew my mind.

Look at the picture for the nicely pureed butter chicken gravy. I will come back...