My SO and I were doing some thrift shopping in the strip mall at the corner of Yonge Street and Major MacKenzie last weekend. Tucked in to the corner by the Value Village, is a Persian restaurant called Padideh. It looks like a takeout place -- the windows are covered with laminated pictures of food. It didn’t look very inviting when we were there and we couldn’t even tell if it was open, but we were hungry so we pressed on. Inside, there is proper restaurant, very clean with banquet hall décor. Only one table was occupied.
The server was a lovely woman who was not shy about making suggestions. My SO had Sultani: a dish with a beef and ground beef kebab (see picture). I had the chicken breast kebab (see picture). The chicken is marinated in saffron and spices. The kebabs were delicious – juicy and flavourful. The rice was fluffy and perfectly cooked – even the simple salad was great. Keep in mind when you look at the pictures that the dishes feature half portions of salad and rice!
We also ordered an eggplant dish called Kashk Badenjan. It’s mashed eggplant served warm with walnuts, onions, mint and whey. It was fantastic. Encouraged, we ordered roasted red pepper hummus and an order of Zeitoon Parvade – olives with walnut and pomegranate paste – to take home. Both were wonderful, and the olives were sweet, briny and addictive. The bill for everything was under $50!
The restaurant doesn’t have a website, but you can check out the menu and pictures of the dining room at www.facebook.com/Padidehrestaurant?fref=ts. And if you live in Richmond Hill you’re in luck – delivery is free on orders over $40.
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