I loved Pukka a year ago and I'm still loving it. The talented chefs at this contemporary Indian restaurant on St. Clair West have an uncanny ability to consistently deliver bold, immaculate flavours on every plate. And when I say "bold flavours" I don't mean just spicy; I mean layers upon layers of delicate spices and seasonings that magically come together, creating unforgettable flavours on your palette. The inventive twists at Pukka (Twitter: @pukkatoronto, Facebook: Pukka Toronto) are done tastefully with a purpose and never gimmicky, all the while paying homage to classic Indian dishes. Pukka is certainly "Not your mother's Indian".
At the media dinner on Tuesday, co-owners Harsh Chawla and Derek Valleau, and sommelier Peter Boyd led us through a tasting menu accompanied by wine. Yes, Indian food with wine pairings! An unfamiliar concept to most but I assure you it works really well.
Here's a look at what I had:
BRITISH RAJ
Gosling's rum, lime, almond syrup, pineapple juice
STRING CHAAT
String vegetables, sprouts, rice crisps, pomegranate, mango, chutneys + yoghurt
Wine pairing: '13 Muller Thurgau, Nals Margreid. Alto Adige, Italy.
TANDOORI CHICKEN TIKKA
Herb-infused + tamarind chutney
Wine pairing: '13 Muller Thurgau, Nals Margreid. Alto Adige, Italy.
GUNDPOWDER PRAWNS
Tempered moong bean salad
Wine pairing: '13 Muller Thurgau, Nals Margreid. Alto Adige, Italy.
BOATMAN'S FISH + PRAWN CURRY
Tamarind, mustard seeds + coconut broth
BASMATI RICEWine pairing: '11 Beaumes de Venise, Suzon. Rhone Valley, France.
FRENCH BEANS
Caramelized onions, turmeric + coconut
LAMB LOLLIPOPS
Turmeric, mint + coriander curry
Wine pairing: '11 Beaumes de Venise, Suzon. Rhone Valley, France.
PLAIN NAAN
SEARED SPICED DUCK BREAST
Pickled lime, tamarind + port sauce
Wine pairing: '11 Beaumes de Venise, Suzon. Rhone Valley, France.
ETON MESS
Rosewater-citrus meringue, marinated fruit sweet lassi cream
Wine pairing: '13 Ancestral, Hinterland. PEC, Ontario.
This contemporary Indian spot have successfully brought elevated Indian cuisine to the forefront in Toronto. The vibrant and beautiful colours, the attentive plating, the intricate marriage of flavours between modern and traditional Indian ingredients, and the flowing wines expertly chosen to compliment the subtle flavour combinations in the dishes are precisely the reasons why I love Pukka. Their share-able dishes have a certain lightness to them, none of which are overly rich or heavy. I absolutely adore this place.
*This meal was complimentary. The opinions and views expressed on this post are my own*
