TORONTO — MasterChef Canada season-one winner Eric Chong, along with three-starred Michelin chef and MasterChef judge, Alvin Leung, have teamed to introduce a modern Asian concept to Toronto’s Chinatown neighbourhood.
R&D is a culmination of the chefs’ travels throughout Asia and is based on a concept of dualism reflected in the design and menu. “The menu is a tribute to Canadian and Asian cuisine,” said Leung. “Just as this country calls itself a mosaic of cultures, so too does our menu. We combine the flavours and aromas of our Asian heritage with modern twists on our favourite Canadian dishes. It is very much a collaboration between myself and Eric.”
Commute Design in Toronto created an open-concept layout, Chinese-inspired street art and drum lighting.
Open for lunch and dinner, R&D offers dim-sum options such as Little Dragon Buns, featuring spicy Sichuan lamb or chicken tom yum; larger, sharing places such as Lobster Chow Mein, with wok-fried lobster atop chittara noodles; and the 76-hour Peking duck, served with steamed buns and three types of slaw. Drinks on offer include the toasted coconut and chai-spiced pina colada.
