Local Host

It's funny how you can pass by an area for years without knowing all the streets. Sunday afternoon, I discovered Prince Arthur Ave, a little street running from St. George to Avenue Road north of Bloor. It has a number of restaurants and pubs, one of which is an Indian restaurant called The Host.

I used to be enamored of this local franchise at its location next to Square One in Mississauga. Lighter on the spices and with a classier decor, it was a nice change from grubbier locales. This one had the same aesthetic, although skewing more toward the English dining room feel. The Bengal Fish Curry was tangy with soft white fish. The Saag Paneer had well-cooked spinach and large pieces of fresh cottage cheese. It was a definite step up from typical hole-in-the-wall Indian restaurants.

For the ambiance and quality of food, you do pay more than usual. But if they are competing in the same market segment as Amaya and Debu Saha, they will have to up their game.