#FOOD: GRACEFUL VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT | “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT MEAT!”

I can’t believe it’s not Meat!  Staying in-line with my 2013 Plan to reduce Meat Consumption in my Diet, my Friend Dawn and myself ventured north of the City to try the  famed Graceful Vegetarian Restaurant.  How can you argue with a place that has garnered 4.5/5 Stars on Yelp?  Everyone who knows Chinese Food knows that all the good stuff is north of Steeles Avenue and if it can still impress the discerning Palettes of the 905, this is the mark of true greatness.

Although I’ve had Chinese Vegetarian on many occasions before, I’ve never had anything as real as this.   Often I roll my eyes when I see Vegetarian Duck on a Menu, my suspicions to be confirmed only shortly after I  angle those Chopsticks towards my mouth thinking, “Tofu.”.  What makes Graceful so remarkable is that we had to keep convincing ourselves we weren’t eating Meat.  Their Top-Seller, a Vegetarian Chicken and Mushroom Stir-Fry is incredible, full of bounce to the bite in its savoury goodness.   Steamed Vegetable Buns were made with Whole Wheat Flour, showing full commitment to its health-consciousness and we were floored by their Fried Ho-Fan Rice Noodles with Vegetarian Beef, laced with just the perfect amount of  Chili Peppers.  The Marquee Item was their Vegetarian Filet Mignon with Sweet & Sour Sauce.  Remarkable flavour and texture.  I cannot say “no” to anything Sweet & Sour.  Fact.

But really,  how does Graceful make it taste and feel so real?   We dig-in and found the secret. We are told by a friendly Staffer, “Our Meat Substitute isn’t just Tofu.  It’s Tofu, Potato Starch and Mushrooms and is made on-premises by our Chef.”.

Did I mention they do All-Day Dim Sum too?  A young Indian Couple beside us were enjoying Dumplings and Buns at 9:30 PM. Surreal.  Needless to say, I’ll be back soon.

Check-out Graceful Vegetarian Restaurant’s Facebook Page and “like it”.  They are located at 7131 Kennedy Road (at Steeles), Markham, Ontario in Market Village.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)