R&D
- M&K
- Oct 17, 2016
- 4 min read
R&D, located at 241 Spadina Ave - south of Dundas and north of Queen, stands for Rebel & Demon for the partnership between Sous Chef, Eric Chong (Rebel) and 3-Michelin star chef, Alvin Leung (Demon). Through his victory as Canada's first Masterchef at the age of 23, Eric Chong, a former chemical engineer stayed committed to his true calling and pursued his passion for food.
Working alongside Chef de Cuisine, Steven Kwon, R&D's menu is bold and modern, serving dishes that have a Canadian take on traditional Chinese dim sum.
Upon entering the restaurant you can immediately notice the stylish interiors, brick walls and eclectic pieces that reflects R&D character - "open & abuzz with energy while preserving an intimate atmosphere". Followed by an attractive bar, open kitchen and dining room - R&D is the perfect spot for a date night or dinner destination for a group of friends or family!
Review
CSB Bao $8
(2pcs per order)
To start off our meal, we ordered the CSB's (Char Siu Bao), one of R&D's top sellers and produced in limited quantities.
Served with two pieces per order, the CSB's are sweet and buttery with a little crunch from the Mexican topping, with filling packed with traditional char siu bao flavours. Light and flaky, the CSB's are probably one of the best bao's we've ever tried!
In addition to the CSB's, other bao's that are featured on the menu are their Jerk Chicken and Crispy Pork Belly bao's that come with 2 pieces per order for $6.
Chili Crab Siu Mai $8
(3pcs per oder/small plate)
If you're a fan of crab and traditional siu mai, R&D's Chili Crab Siu Mai embodies the perfect combination of both dishes! Presented in a traditional dim sum basket, the shrimp and pork filled dumplings are topped off with crab and R&D hot sauce.
We found that the dumplings were rather dense and not very warm when served but the crab flavour surely made up for it!
Fried Chicken & Waffles $18
(Large plate)
If you love fried chicken and waffles, this dish was made for you!
R&D's take on Fried Chicken and Waffles has an Asian twist with the addition of roasted peanuts, thai chilli and maple glaze. According to Sous Chef, Eric Chong, "instead of using buttermilk, a special ratio of vodka and eggs are used to create the airy and crispy crust of the fried chicken" - the shining star of the dish.
The waffles weren't your typical flour waffles but were made of pastry similar to scallion pancakes. They were chewy, flaky and a little too sweet but still an interesting take on the chicken and waffles combo.
Octopus A La Plancha $18
(Large plate)
A meal that flew under the radar but ended up being one of our favourite dishes was the Octopus a la Plancha.
The octopus was very tender, flavourful, and was truly the shining star of the dish. Other features that we enjoyed were the crunch of crispy pig's ears, and garnishes of chimichurri and sichuan miso that provided the dish with a kick and a good balance of flavours.
Mango Panna Cotta $6
(Dessert)
We all know that the best way to top off a meal is... dessert!
To satisfy our sweet tooth cravings, we chose to order the Mango Panna Cotta with coconut tapioca. Topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, the panna cotta wasn't overly sweet and provided a refreshing finish to our experience to R&D.
Score Card
Taste [4/5] - The flavours of every dish were packed with a punch, true to their description and well balanced. R&D truly found a creative way to combine Asian and Western flavours together.
Presentation [4/5] - The presentation of each dish was absolutely beautiful, however we found that the Chilli Crab Sui Mai could have been warmer upon serving.
Environment [4/5] - The restaurant has it's own identity with unique interiors, brick walls and eclectic flare. R&D is a great place for a date or a get together with family or friends.
Price [3.5/5] - With respect to pricing, for a mid- to high-end restaurant the prices were fair but a tad expensive for their bao's and smaller plates. We shared 4 plates (2 small plates and 2 large plates) and paid about $35 each - regardless, we left full and happy!
Service [5/5] - R&D has excellent service! We were seated quickly even though we did not make a reservation and our server took care of us very well, answered our questions and provided recommendations. The food came out quickly and we had the opportunity to meet the Sous Chef and Masterchef winner, Eric Chong!
Recommendations
How to Order - R&D's menu is made for sharing. Our waiter advised us to order 2 to 3 plates per person and we found that ordering 4 plates (2 small and 2 large) were just the right amount for two people.
Dishes to Try - CSB Bao's, Fried Chicken and Waffles, and Octopus a La Plancha.
Other menu items that we would like to try during our next visit are their Crispy Pork Belly Bao's, Pulled Pork Croquettes, Braised Beef Short Ribs, and the Best Duck in the City.
If this post left you hungry and wanting to try R&D, check out their website and social media links below:
Thanks for stopping by and happy eating!
From one munch to the next,
M&K
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