Do Not Collect

Gau Indian Village is a new restaurant that has opened near Bloor and Shaw. It sits mostly empty, usually not a good sign. But being just a block down from the immensely popular Banjara and the equally full Madras Masala, Gau may simply be having trouble gaining traction. So I finally decided to try it on Sunday.

Despite the sandwich board outside listing all sorts of roti deals, the menu was mostly standard Indian fare. This may be one reason people are passing by. Who wants to order roti from a white table-cloth restaurant? Gau is aiming for a more genteel look: linen napkins, pretty food presentation, and even exchanging new plates between appetizers and mains. But the table-cloth was unironed and there were small stains on the napkins. A bit classist but I think it's better to look cheap (and perhaps cheerful) than to feel cheap.

I had the same reaction to the food vibe. I know restaurants pre-cook and have other kitchen tricks so that orders can be filled promptly; but you don't want diners to hear the beeping of your microwave. But enough with the ambiance, onto the food. I got some veggie samosas ($2.99), Mulai Kofta ($10.99), and naan ($2.49). The portions were generous but this was the blandest Indian food I've ever eaten. The naan was thick and doughy. I could taste the typical oily richness in the sauce, but the fragrant spice mixture was missing. It wasn't even heavy like bad Indian, just leaving no impression at all. Maybe the rotis are their specialty, hence the out-door advertising.