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Food & Drink

What’s on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka

By Caroline Aksich| Photography by Caroline Aksich
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What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka

Name: Ji Neighbourhood: Humewood Contact: 760 St. Clair Ave. W., 416-792-5550, helloji.ca
Previously: Concession Road Owners: Harsh Chawla and Derek Valleau (Pukka, Concession Road) Chef: Kirti Singh (Pukka)

The food

Comfort food favourites get Indian makeovers at Pukka’s casual spin-off. The poutine, for example, swaps out gravy and curds for pulled beef curry and paneer. While some of the menu is straight-up Indian-spiced pub grub, such as butter chicken mac and cheese, there are a few more traditional dishes on offer, including lamb shank rogan josh. There are also a few vegetarian-friendly options like a vegan caesar salad dressed with smoky coconut “bacon” bits and a cashew dressing.

What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
Paneer and roasted beet salad with goji berries and grapefruit supremes in a honey-lemon vinaigrette. $14.

 

What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
Naanchos, as the punny name suggests, are nachos that trade tortillas for crispy mini naan. They’re topped with minced lamb keema, cheddar cheese, salsa-like kachumber and raita (instead of sour cream). $13.

 

What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
The Macaroni Makhani is cavatappi pasta baked in a cheesy butter chicken sauce. $12.

 

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What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
Veggie sliders made with carrot-celery-spinach patties bound with lotus root are topped with onions and apricot chutney. $15.

 

What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
The lamb seekh kebab is a play on a chili dog, with the frank swapped out for a lamb kebab. It’s topped with pickled onions, cheddar and lamb keema. $16.
The drinks

Ji’s meagre draught offerings (two) are augmented by a slew of Ontario craft tall cans, and the bottle selection includes some lesser-known international beers, including Italy’s Bruton Bianca. Themed cocktails include a chai flip and a tamarind margarita.

What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
Chai Flip: vodka, chai tea, egg white. $11.

 

What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
Cucumber Cooler: gin, cilantro, cucumber, ginger ale. $9.
The space

The two-room space is divided into a bar with flat screens and four-tops on one side, while the other half is done up in bright gem hues with blue banquettes and vintage travel posters. The TVs will screen muted classic Bollywood flicks.

What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka
Note the tiffin light fixtures above the bar.

 

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What's on the menu at Ji, a Southeast Asian pub from the owners of Pukka

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Caroline Aksich, a National Magazine Award recipient, is an ex-Montrealer who writes about Toronto’s ever-evolving food scene, real estate and culture for Toronto Life, Fodor’s, Designlines, Canadian Business, Glory Media and Post City. Her work ranges from features on octopus-hunting in the Adriatic to celebrity profiles.

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