Mandarin North York is located at 1027 Finch W. near Dufferin, so is transit-accessible. This will be the 8th Mandarin location we’ve reviewed so far. AYCD pop is available for $2.50, though no Coke Zero. As with all locations, it was full and busy but we had no problem getting a table right away. We went for weekend lunch.
We really appreciate that in addition to sushi/nigiri, they now have AYCE sashimi including salmon and red/akami tuna, even on the lunch menu. This seems to be at all Mandarin locations, so I think they're all worth an extra point now for this as it’s value addition. It's quite good, fresh and very passible compared to other specialized sushi places. I had salmon and red tuna. The smoked salmon avocado roll was also excellent, especially as we now bring our own wasabi which contain some of the real thing.
Mishy loved the grilled vegetables saying that they were fantastic and just like homemade she was used to. She indicated that the grilled steak flavour was okay but first piece was dry. I had the same experience with mine. This is unfortunate as I was so happy to have it back on the lunch menu everywhere. Thankfully it picked up on the next piece and thereafter, and the grilled chicken was juicy and we both loved it. Mishy indicated the chicken dumplings were amazing. I enjoyed the Boston clam chowder as it was very fresh. Mishy described the lemon chicken as “delicious as usual.” I liked the sausages from the grill as they were fresh but, also as usual, the breakfast sausages tasted a little stale. I don't think they get eaten very much. Mishy even describe the croissants as heavenly. She also insisted I try the pizza with was very good and fresh even though it was thin crust and only cheese. Bacon was fresh and crispy and not off which is welcome. Grilled pineapple was good and not overdone.
Hot and sour was probably the best I've had in any Mandarin at least, as it was very fresh and well-seasoned. Beef with mushrooms was delicious and had an excellent gravy. Torpedo shrimp were very good even without the sauce, as was the breaded fish. Black pepper beef was excellent because it was so fresh. Teppanyaki chicken and teppanyaki vegetables were both very good, again because they were fresh... It turns out that the standard fare of Mandarin is excellent if only it's just been put out.
For dessert, Mishy loved the creme brûlée saying it had a beautiful slightly burnt flavour. Bread pudding comes with the sauce mixed in and this is one of Mishy's favourite desserts. Cappuccino NSA ice cream is excellent and I don't have it enough. Strawberry cheesecake was very good with a honeydew or cantaloupe ball on top which Missy hilariously thought was an egg yolk. Strawberry soft-serve yogurt is delicious, and it's too bad this is the only place that it can be gotten. Mango ice cream was delicious, although not the best I've ever had as far as flavour intensity but it was still very good. Weekend lunch price is $32.99. As always at Mandarin, it was a very good lunch... especially with the sashimi!
Rating: 8.5 / 10
