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| All photos courtesy of Tich |
When I got home from the restaurant with my takeout, though, I realized they'd forgotten to put one of my items in the bag. I called to let them know, not really sure what they could do. I didn't want to spend 25 minutes in the car just to pick up dessert, but maybe they could take note, and make good on it the next time I was in the area.
When I called, the owner picked up the phone. She was sorry to hear they'd made a mistake and wanted to make it up to me. Not sometime in the future, but right then.
And that's how I found myself, fifteen minutes later, opening my front door to the owner of Tich, and receiving the small paper bag that she'd brought my dessert in. Bear in mind, they don't currently deliver food, and even if they did, I live outside of their delivery area. Oh, and when I tried to pay her for her troubles, she refused to take my money.
That was my introduction to Tich, but let's be clear - the food was so amazing I'd go back even without the personalized service. The chicken tikka masala was the best I've ever eaten. And that dessert that was hand-delivered? The gulab jamun (described as "milk dumplings, soaked in rose-scented sugar syrup") was as dreamy as it sounds.
I later asked the owner, Karan Kalia, a few questions, and she was as lovely by email as she is in person. Her background is in commerce, and after she moved from India to Canada, she took a job as an administrative and HR manager. The whole time, the idea of owning a restaurant was in the back of her mind, but she took her time making it happen. One day she was driving by a building that was available for lease. She called to inquire, and in her own words, "Before I could realize, we had a restaurant in the making!" I wasn't surprised to hear that, for her, the greatest pleasure in owning a restaurant is making her customers happy, and seeing them come back again and again.
She told me she's always had a flair for entertaining - now, she just extends it from her living room to her restaurant. Based on my experience, she has a flair for service, too. Having seen the inside of her lovely restaurant when I picked up my meal, I can't wait to go back. But next time I won't depend on her generosity to bring me dessert - I'll enjoy my meal right there.
Tich
2314 Lakeshore Blvd West
Toronto
(647) 349-8424
(All opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for this post.)
8 comments:
What a lovely thing to happen, Beth. I so admire people who go the extra mile.
Amalia
xo
That's what I called SERVICE! I would love to dine in a restaurant like that..that makes you feel so welcomed.
Two of my favorite Indian dishes! I'm glad that you didn't have to miss the delicious gulab jamun. That special delivery will be worth a great deal in "advertising"!!
Best,
Bonnie
Really sweet of the owner to do that...it's the personal connections that make or break a business. Super you found a restaurant faily nearby with Indian food you love!
Beth, sounds like you found a true treasure of a restaurant - and what a thoughtful gesture of the owner to personally deliver the forgotten dessert to your home!
What a wonderful story - so far from what you expect these days. I live Indian food, and these people deserve to do well.
That is pretty amazing! I can't believe she brought it to you. And it looks wonderful. Love chicken tikka masala - a personal favorite. If ever in Toronto I know where to go :)
A lovely story! So nice (and sadly too uncommon) to find really conscientious people.
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