Social Llama Cafe — Restaurant in Toronto

First time here came with my vegan buddy. Very small restaurant and only run by 2 guys. Very nice guys though, they explain everything to you about the food and who they are as a restaurant. Very friendly too! Food does take a bit longer as there is 9nly 2 guys working. We started with nachos. Pretty good but tbh I felt that it was a bit pricey since it was like $20 for the nachos although it was pretty small size. I guess you are laying for the vegan cheese being used on the nachos? I had the veggie burger which was just that - pretty basic veggie burger. It did come with a small side salad and fries though. My friend got the mushroom gnocchi which was really good! The sauce was banging nd the gnocchi were so soft and pillowy! Again portion size was a bit on the smaller side but the owner said it was because the sauce was so hard and expensive to make. I didn't order any alcohol as it was a bit pricey vs other places. My girlfriend had the virgin mojito which was nice but a bit too sweet. I had to add a lot of water to really enjoy it. Overall I had a decent time but I'm not 100% sure if I would return as there are do many nee vegan restaurants opening up everywhere so I would probably want to try a new place next time tbh. I would still recommend this place to those who are vegan to give it a try! Very friendly and personable staff and decent...

Major reasons giving a one star is that they claim it to be a vegetarian restaurant but when inquired, contain lipase in their cheese which in cheese is majorly from animal sources such as stomach of baby goats, calves, and lambs. When enquired with the owner he seemed to be unaware of it, he did check and let us know it had lipase but seemed to be unbothered that it is not vegetarian.

It disappoints that they claim to be something and aren’t even sure of it. Now wondering what else they might have vegan or vegetarian and aren’t even sure of.

EDIT: Reply to what the chef said, in our conversation from what I remember you just said it has lipase not specific to microbial or plant-based. I am not here to guess if it is from those sources or not. Unless not mentioned that it is microbial or plant-based, lipase in cheese traditionally is from animal sources.

So if you aren't sure as well and if not mentioned that lipase/rennet/any other enzyme is from microbial or plant-based sources you cannot mention that as vegetarian.

Even in your reply below you aren't confirming that it is plant-based or microbial, you are just mentioning that it CAN be from those sources. Kindly let others know about this that the cheese might have animal sources before ordering, if your restaurant can't adhere to vegetarian...

I wish Google had the option of infinite stars for a place.

Our experience/expression here was simply - OH MY GOD!

We ordered the truffle mushrooms, litthi chokha, grandma's special kush ka dum aloo and the carrot mousse.

Every dish was made to PERFECTION and I truly believe that the secret of this flavor and art is Chef Ishan. One of the most humble and the kindest person we came across in Toronto. He takes out time from his busy cooking schedule and personally shares with you the details of the ingredients, cooking technique he used and talks through your expectations and allergy/preferences before recommending the food options.

On top of that, him and his food reminds you that 'Slow cooking' and patience can get you the flavor bursts you crave for and there is no need of taste enhancers, MSG and all sorts of bullshit other restaurants use to make their food 'tasty'

We have never felt so light after eating in a restaurant that had amazingly tasty food! Can't wait to go back. 🤞

Don't miss out on this place if you are in midtown for breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner. TRUST ME YOU'LL NOT REGRET IT.

Wishing Chef Ishan and Social LLAMA all the success it truly deserves in Toronto and Canada as a...