With an unassuming name like ‘Little Sister’, you may not
expect the bold flavours showcased in the restaurant’s dishes. But, intense
savoury, sweet and spicy combinations seems to be what Indonesian cuisine is
all about - a region of Asian cuisine that’s under represented in Toronto.
Truthfully, the dishes were reminiscent of the spicy and sour Thai combinations
and aromatic savoury dishes of Malaysia I’ve tried before. But, that makes
sense given Indonesia’s proximity to these countries, in terms of location and
culture.
The ikan bumbu bali ($15.75)
a spice encrusted fish (likely tilapia), was just cooked through arriving hot
and flaky. Covered with a sweet tomato ragu and topped with crunchy pickled
onions and daikon, this is a lighter dish, ideal for warm weather compared to
curries or stir fries.
Apparently, we chose the sides well as I found the fish’s
tangy sauce went nicely with the nasi gorgeng
($5.25), a dish that has a slightly spicier taste. The Indonesian fried
rice is one of the most popular dishes in the country, so much so that it’s
considered one of the national dishes.
At Little Sister, theirs was a bit oily, but the aromatic chili,
garlic and shallot aroma more than made up for this. Julienned vegetables
helped to add a subtle contrast against the grains of rice, while the sweet soy
sauce toned down the chili. There was also another ingredient, perhaps fish
sauce, that gave the rice a nice umami
essence.
The spiciness of the watermelon salad ($7.50) was unexpected
– boy do those finely chopped chilies add heat! Luckily, the watermelon, mint
and basil helped to calm the sting and gave the dish a lighter property. The sambal vinaigrette, typically containing
shrimp paste, fish sauce and a host of other aromatics, provided a savoury
quality as well. Indeed, it’s a salad of many tastes.
With so many flavourful ingredients, dishes could easily become
rich and overpowering. Little Sister finds a great balance amongst these
intense flavours so that they work together and ensures milder proteins (such
as the fish) isn’t masked. I only wish I had a chance to try more of their
offerings as the menu sounds delicious! Alas, a return visit with a larger
group is required, to replicate the actions of the Globe and Mail’s food critic,
Chris Nuttall-Smith: order the entire menu.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 2031 Yonge Street
Address: 2031 Yonge Street
Website: http://www.littlesistertoronto.com/
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Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
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