This was my dad's recommendation. This was going to be a test to topple my favourite Indo-Malay place, RESTORAN, which has set the bar high for years.
THAI VILLA is in a big box plaza at Markham Road and Stouffville Road, the decor is charming and inexpensive. Service was attentive, and my young daughter was given a magnetic sketch pad to play with to keep her occupied. She also liked the tabletop flower with the LED light inside that kept changing colors. I liked the peaceful asian music playing in the background.
I sat down and ordered a Jasmine Tea (from a familiar teabag company, my wife tells me).
The owner, Tim, confirmed that the restaurant he has opened here followed on his days at Satay Ria at Market Village at Kennedy and Steeles. I told him that my family enjoyed the food there, and that I was pleased to find him here.
There were people coming in routinely on an otherwise quiet Monday night - not packed, but enough people to confirm the food here must be good.
I asked Tim, for my daughter's sake, for a choice of noodle or rice dishes that are non-spicy - he said he could make Penang Kuay Teow with spice on the side rather than mixed in; or, Hokkien noodles, with the duck thick sauce, or the Pad Thai, or Singapore noodle without spice.
I ordered the Kuay Teow - which had chicken, and unusual squid addition which was overall delicious and a little moister than previous versions I've had before.
We also had my regular favourite - Beef Rendang - which had good portions of meat with the fat attached and again moister than most BR I've had before.
And, we had Sambal Fish - I forgot to ask what the fish was - but it was moist and flaky and the outer crispness was light, covered in a red sauce - it was really really spicy and the dish was delicious.
We ordered 2 roti flatbreads and a bowl of white rice to sop up the sauces. The roti was hot and soft and oily rather than bready - which I liked...so did my daughter.
We ordered to drink a Chendol - which includes coconut milk and a green noodly feature that I've grown to like - my daughter loved drinking it out of its skinny straw. I like to order milky drinks when having spicy food, as it calms the fire. This resto is not licensed to serve alcohol - or else I'd have a beer of course.
We paid $60 for the meal including tip, and we would recommend THAI VILLA to friends.
(out of 10 each category)
Food - 9
Decor - 8
Service - 8
Child Friendliness - 10
