Mixed Space

There are many culinary traditions in Toronto and they have begun to blend, although not quite to the wonderful level of Burmese cuisine found at the now-defunct Mother Home. You can find banh mi (Vietnamese subs) and Japanese ramen in numerous dining spots. There is always the spectre of cultural appropriation; namely that a dish or tradition is only legitimized or celebrated once a "white" establishment offers it. In any case, the two places I visited on Saturday in Kensington won't probably be accused of that, as they are tiny and have been opened as a labour of love.

The first is Rasta Pasta, offering traditional Jamaican dishes with a few Italian plates, too. This odd combination is a reflection of the heritage of the owners. In that spirit, I skipped the typical rice and beans and got a Jerk Chicken Panini ($7). The chicken, freshly grilled outside on the sidewalk in a metal drum BBQ, was wonderful: moist, fragrant, with just a slight hint of spice. The bread, a crusty mini baguette instead of the standard panini, was average. A missed opportunity to really make a dish that wowed.

Then it was around the corner for some dessert at Millie Creperie. Here you can find Japanese-style crepe wrapped in a cone around your favourite toppings. I got the Japanese special ($6.75). The cone was crispy and slightly sweet, reminiscent of a dessert dosa. The green tea gelato went well with the whipped cream and matcha sauce. There were thin slices of strawberries, but with summer over, they were muted in flavour. I couldn't taste much azuki (red bean paste), which would have added a strong grounding base. Overall, a good addition to the Market. If the dropping temperature don't bring cold treats to mind, they also offer savoury crepes, too.