Toronto: Mr. Maharaja

Located at 7 Balmuto Street, and lauded by The Globe and Mail as "a plain-Jane little place with divine Indian food," Mr. Maharaja was chosen as one of the top 10 Taste Adventures in 2001. In 2003, the food was still incredible. We ordered "lamb with spinach" (lamb cooked in onion, ginger, garlic, and tomato sauce with spinach) and "daal curry" (lentils cooked with tomato and seasoned with spices in the Hyderabdii style). There were a number of other thngs we were interested in trying, and we may return there. But only when we have sufficient time to spend. While the food was simply amazing, the service was, well, atrocious. Another couple of people sitting nearby had similar difficulty getting the attention of the waiter at any time, so we, at least, didn't feel singled out. I'm used to eating in NYC often - where the waiters seem to take pride in being difficult - but this place left them looking like amateurs. At least, the food was good.