Indian Rice Factory closes after 43 years on Dupont

In restaurant years, making it to the five year mark is a laudable accomplishment. Indian Rice Factory, one of the city’s first destinations for authentic subcontinental cuisine, lasted almost half a century. The culinary landmark, known for its slow-simmered curries and Indian street snacks, is closing after 43 years at the corner of Dupont and Howland. The news comes three years after the death of owner and chef Amar Patel, who has been credited by notable foodies like James Chatto and Joanne Kates with kick-starting Toronto’s ethic dining scene. The closure, which also includes the restaurant’s year-old Chai Bar, was relayed yesterday over Twitter: “To our dearest guests & friends: We have closed our retail operations. Thank you for over 43 years of wonderful memories. Namaste.” [BlogTO]