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Rashnaa Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Indian Indian [Edit]
307 Wellesley St EToronto, ON M4X 1H2
Neighbourhood: Cabbagetown
(416) 929-2099
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 11:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
19 reviews for Rashnaa Restaurant
19 reviews in English
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Review from Christine E.
Toronto, ON
9/1/2011
The Butter Chicken Factory is just down the street, but Rashnaa's does a much better butter chicken. A lovely almondy-tomato sauce, creamy, with soft morsels of chicken. I actually like their butter chicken more than Banjara's, & everyone seems to agree that Banjara does the best butter chicken in Toronto.
Their saag paneer wasn't very impressive - gritty spinach and a few tiny cubes of paneer, in an infuriatingly small "vegetarian sized" container. Although I'm not a fan of their titular dish, The Butter Chicken Factory's palak paneer is incredible, so when I do takeaway I get my butter chicken at Rashnaa and my palak paneer at Butter Chicken Factory.
The space is strange. I've never eaten in, but the restaurant is a converted house and the dining room is the original living room of the house. I always feel a little like I'm walking in to someone's place uninvited when I go to pick up my takeaway. They do have a patio for the summer, however.
Staff have always been friendly to me. -
Review from Bahi K.
Scarborough, ON
8/19/2011
Not even close to the best Sri Lankan food in town, but one of the few places (and certainly the only place downtown) where you can actually sit down and enjoy a Sri Lankan meal.
Absolute must-order: idiyappam kothu with mutton (tip: add a bit of curry gravy to moisten it up). Second place: mutton kothu roti.
The deviled chicken was disappointing, as was the eggplant curry. Service on the patio was quite bad. It took us a long time to even get a glass of water, let alone place our order; we even had to repeatedly request top-ups.
If you're confined to downtown Toronto, Rashnaa is pretty much your only option for Lankan food, but if you can get there, I'd recommend you check out Hopper Hut or Babu's in Scarborough for some great takeout. -
Review from William P.
Toronto, ON
7/24/2011
Out of all of the places in Toronto, this is the only place that I repeatedly order from again and again. I have never been disappointed and love almost everything on the menu.
Since the menu includes both Sri lankan and Indian food, the spices are much more interesting than getting Indian take-out and I find the curries to be much spicier and flavorful as well.
I don't generally eat in the restaurant, but order at least once every month or two - I can't stay away. Delivery is a bit slow, but always worth it in the end.
Get the cashew curry. Period. -
Review from Imran N.
3/26/2011
My friend told me to go here. So i did.
All in all, the food was good, well priced, the place was ok. Nothing to rave about but i would go back.
The only complain that i have is the next day experience, but i knew that would be the case going in. There are better places, but i like the fact that this is both an indian and srilankan restaurant two in one.
It's just more on the srilankan side which means wayyyy more spices in the food and you definitely will be visitng the bathroom more than once the next day. -
Review from Chris M.
Halifax, NS
8/22/2010
Tasty food, lousy service.
Went to Rashnaa in a party of 4, first visit for all of us. The papadums that we shared as an appetizer were fine, though entirely unremarkable; the mango lassi was very tasty and made a wonderful smooth, creamy counterpoint to the spicy food. I ordered the "chicken devil", a side of rice, and the cucumber-tomato raita. The chicken devil was well-balanced, with plenty of heat and a smoky charcoal-grilled flavour, and the serving size was generous (the rice was easily big enough to split two ways). The raita was nice and fresh and cool, if maybe a little watery.
But the service! Oh, the service.
The one waiter was taciturn verging on surly, and I'm not sure he spoke a single word while we were there, preferring to just grunt when addressed. He had the air-conditioning cranked so that it was about 8 Celcius in the restaurant while we were all dressed for a hot August evening. Asking him to turn it down got a vaguely affirmative-sounding grunt but no actual effect. We had to ask twice to get water. When we asked for the leftovers packed up to take home, he unceremoniously dumped a styrofoam container and plastic bag on the table and walked away. Finally, when we asked for three cheques (one couple & two singles), he just split it into two instead. All in all it was the kind of service where you wonder if a 5% tip is too generous.
Also, the location is in a distinctly seedy neighborhood, and the decor of the restaurant can be summed up as "hastily converted from a run-down little house"
As a take-out joint, it might well be worthwhile, but as a restaurant to actually sit in and eat... not so much. -
Review from Tong J.
8/19/2010
Rashnaa used to be one of our favorite Indian restaurants and was at the top of our take-out list, but no more. After several bad experiences of dinning at the restaurant, we decided to just order take-out, which seems to work better for us. Maybe the massive amount of take-out orders are to blame for the slow-moving dine-in service?
I love spicy food, so my favorite dish on the menu is Chili Chicken (fried boned chicken with blends of chili, curry leaves and tomato sauce). This dish is a hit or miss, sometimes it tastes absolutely amazing. Other times, I think it's something in tomato sauce, perhaps, it was from a can (just saying). My second favorite is Kothu Rotti with eggs (Rottie cut up and stir fried with eggs and scallions). When it is not oily and soggy, it's not bad.
Because of its inconsistency, we have decided to place Rashnaa at the bottom of the list, for now. Maybe one day, we'll give it another try? -
Review from K.S. c.
Toronto, ON
8/23/2011 1 photo
One word! Good butter chicken!
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Review from j w.
Toronto, ON
8/13/2010
Service so bad it gave Faulty Towers a run for it's money.
Oh Rashnaa, once you were a favorite, but you showed me the cold shoulder this evening and I will not darken your door again. I've liked the food here in the past and have supported it as a gay-owned establishment. However after tonight's poor service no more.
I arrived, went in to say hi and then sat on the patio.
I told them that I was going to order a lot of food and take some away and settled down. I ordered that vadai (tasty), the kothu roti (decent) and the vegetarian delight (decidedly not delightful, items missing, portions small and of scant flavour). I ordered a beer, which came promptly and the evening looked good. The server took an attitude that bringing my food out to the patio was intruding upon his rest and was totally unpleasant. Dishes from my first course (the vadai) were not cleared from the table until the very end.
The kothu roti was fine, although I have had better elsewhere. The vegetarian delight was a huge heap of rice with three small curries, all of which were peas and potatoes in a thin sauce.
When I ordered a second beer, it arrived, can open, but without a glass. When I asked about this the waiter said "You don't want a glass do you?". I responded that yes, I wanted a glass, like I had had with my first. When I asked about the missing achar from the vegetarian delight, he assured me that he had brought everything and brought me the menu to prove his point. It clearly said achar came with the meal. He then told me "it's not much, just a little pickled vegetables.". I responded that I knew what it was and that I wanted some, and he grudgingly and resentfully went and got me some. Finally, he asked if I wanted to take the almost untouched vegetarian "delight" to go. I said yes, and he brought me a box and an un-asked for (but not unchanrged for plastic bag) while clearing my cutlery. I sat waiting for a spoon for over 10 minutes and finally had to go ask for one.
When I went to pay I was told cash or debit only, despite signs saying credit cards were accepted.
I'll be investigating the Sri Lankan place around the corner. -
Review from Tina H.
3/17/2010
Delicious! Toronto is the best place for Indian food I've found and Rashnaa doesn't disappoint! The eggplant is especially delicious. It's cooked properly and all the yummy flavours are released into the foods. Eggplant is hard to cook but they do it right. If you get the vegetarian dishes everything is fairly affordable. I can't remember if I've tried the butter chicken, but I like their vegetarian dishes. You have to be choosy about what you order because sometimes it's really good and others it's only so-so depending on what it is. It's been a while since I've ordered but it's delicious last I remember. I'm a repeat customer.
I should add that my experience with them is delivery only. -
Review from Jimi S.
ON
11/21/2008
RASHNAAAAAAAAAAAA.
hmm. it doesnt quite work as well on paper. or on the internet. but i love saying their name. when i know my wife and i are going to order takeout, from the bottom of my feet, up through my legs, through a belly growling in anticipation, do I belt out like a lion the declaration of battle that is Rashnaa.
a battle of spices and food names that swirl around your tongue like a serpent tempting you in such a way that youll never touch a piece of wonderbread again.
we have been at the restaurant once before with my niece. boy was that stupid. each bite she took was successively more torturous, as she wondered why she was crying when she wasn't the least bit sad. Yes. Rashnaa can be quite spicy, but not so much so that you cannot taste your food or anything else afterwards. you might experience a little vibration in your lips, a little fire alight in your mouth, but be sure there are yoghurty delights to temper it all, like the Mix Raita which is cucumber, tomatoes and onions in spiced beaten yogurt.
Its great to put that on your other dishes (in fact I would, at least if youre doing takeout, order 2 of them) like any of the String Hopper Kotu which is red (roasted) rice flour noodles chopped and sautéed with onion, green peppers, eggs and spices with a choice of mutton, shrimp, beef, chicken, vegetables, eggs, fish, squid or shrimp. hoowee. lots of choices. This dish is rice like in its consistency, very filling, and very tasty with any of the above. I usually get the squid.
I have also gotten the Vegetable Delight many times. This is a bunch of different veggie dishes that come with ghee basmati rice with a few different kinds of curry and more. my favorite in this combination is the cashew and green peas curry. its so creamy.
for apps or extra stuff try the egg rotty, the beef pancake roll, seafood cutlet, veggie samosa, or a mixed plate of it all.
If you get a main course dish and all the suggestions I have mentioned, you can have leftovers for the next day and keep it going and going and going... -
Review from Falcon L.
Mississauga, ON
12/28/2009
Rashnaa is a restaurant providing Sri-Lankan/South Indian cuisine. I have to say it is in the rather surprising location of Parliament and Wellesley.
The kothu roti, which takes traditional south indian thin roti (veethu roti) cut up, mixed with spicy gravy, meat and fried egg is pretty decent. However, I have to say it will never come close to the authentic stuff from Sri Lanka. Even the roti used is not as good.
Not a fan of their thali's at all. Please go to a real south indian restaurant like Udupi's on Gerrard.
3 stars. Half decent SL food and a decent place. Nothing to write home about. -
Review from Monica F.
8/6/2010
I've only been here 3 times, but each time has been a pleasant experience. I sat outside for 2 of the visits, and would definitely recommend the patio. I'm not too keen on the interior of the establishment, but that wouldn't stop me from eating inside if I had no other choice. As a vegetarian, I'm always happy going over the menu here with all the meatless dishes to choose from. If you're going with 2-3 people, get the everything appetizer that comes with every appetizer on the menu. It comes with 2 AMAZING hot sauces that are so spicy yet you can't stop eating them. Everything vegetarian except for 1 meat-ball type thing. Everything fried too, so if you're watching your waist-line, skip the app's...or treat yourself to an order of 2 samosa's. They're reallly good. Come on, you know you want to.
As for entree's, the curries are really good and you can get it with either rice or rotty. Rotty is soooo good, but again, if you're watching your waist-line go for the rice. I've noticed during my visits that the crepe they offer is a popular choice among their customers. I'm going to try it next time I'm there.
To drink I always order a chai tea but next time I'm going to try their mango lassie (a yogurt based drink to help cut the heat of the food) because I hear they're really good.
Located in a shifty part of the city, but always worth the trip to Cabbagetown for some authentic Sri-Lankin cuisine. -
Review from Mandy M.
Toronto, ON
2/20/2010
What a disappointment. The butter chicken was really average. Nothing special at all, and it would not get me to go back. The saag paneer was kind of brothy, rather than creamy, which I'm willing to chalk up to a style difference, however it was so salty it was barely edible (and I like salt a lot).
The small veggie side dishes (we had beets, eggplant and lentils) were a highlight and the naan was fantastic. The chai was delicious but too sweet for my taste.
The main dining room space is nice and casual. Maybe 10 tables. There's a good size patio that I imagine is lovely in the summer. There are two very cute two-person tables upstairs nestled in a dormer window, however I can't imagine sitting up there as you are bombarded with the aggressive, sickly sweet smell of the bathroom air freshener, and one of the seats looks directly at the urinal in the men's washroom (the door seems to be at rest in the open position when the washroom is not in use).
The service was fine and the kitchen was fast. No complaints at all there. It was fairly kid-friendly, although they do not have a high chair.
I've had much, much better Indian food in Toronto. The Host and Siddhartha both blow this place away. I probably wouldn't go back, even if I were in the neighborhood. -
Review from Dan D.
Toronto, ON
4/12/2011
Cold atmosphere, terrible service, mediocre food (saag paneer was runny). I will not be returning. You can get better food and service at Trimurti on Queen that doubles as a buffet. This place was such a disappointment.
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Review from ILLAN K.
Toronto, ON
3/17/2009
Came here because I was in the neighbourhood and had read the other reviews on the site. And I must admit, I was very impressed by the flavour of the food. I had the butter chicken, which was the tastiest I've ever had and the mutton Sri Lankan specialty. I also got the appetizer platter. Along with two naans and a plate of rice, this was enough food for two dinners as well as two left-over lunches (all for $39 before tip).
This was easily the tastiest Indian food I've had yet in Toronto.
I took off one star only because the service was a bit slow, although the waiter apologized profusely for this and mentioned that he had never seen it so busy on a Monday night before. -
Review from Isabel R.
Toronto, ON
1/17/2010
After reading the positive reviews, I had to check it out myself. I got take-out and it was ready to pick up in 20 minutes. Vegetable samosas were some of the best I have had in Toronto. Not too greasy, but not too dry. I'm not sure if they make them on site, but they are definitely delicious.
I followed that up with the butter chicken. Definitely a different taste, but definitely delicious. The sauce was better than the chicken itself, with hints of cinnamon really making the dish.
I'll have to go back to make a more complete review, but good all and all. -
Review from Richard S.
Toronto, ON
9/25/2009
If you like SPICY...try the devil chicken! Amazing! Not a lot of atmosphere but great food!!
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Review from Sandeep M.
8/28/2009
Loved the food (delivery), try the faluda (dessert drink).
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Review from Lacey C.
North York, ON
2/25/2011
I was expecting a friendly atmosphere as it is a small restaurant, but they seemed not to want us to be there! The food was ok, it was nothing spectacular, but it seemed like the owner (I think his name was Adam?) just wanted us to leave. I don't understand the point of being in business if you don't like people! Needless to say I won't be going back, and I don't encourage anyone else to go there either.
