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Went here for take out after reading a good review in one of the local papers. Ordered the lamb curry, roti canai and some veg. The veg was pretty ordinary, the curry and the roti were very bland and plain lacking flavour and a bit on the greasy side. Nothing special at all. The place is small and looks alright but the food is mediocre at best.
Very small place, though clean and well-decorated. Recommend reservations as every time we go by it is packed. We picked a non-busy night and only 2 small tables left.
Good thing it wasn't full when we started because they're a touch slow in the kitchen. Nothing to get cranky over, but don't be in a hurry. The waitress is friendly and efficient, but not exactly the most attentive.
Now the food ... hmm... it was ... okay. The menu variety is good, but not amazing. Didn't spot anything really unique on the menu except the Rojak Mamak (which we ordered). It was a good salad, but mostly lettuce. Nothing remotely close to what we tried back in Singapore and nothing that shouted Malaysia to us. Sambal Mackerel was good, but really spicy and sweet. Roti Canai was good (but not the best in town), the sauce that went with it certainly wasn't tops. Beef rendang had a very unique aroma (good) compared to others, but much more "dry" style than saucy as other places. Chicken currey was also solid, but not mind blowing.
I suppose if you really must have halal Malaysian food, this is the place. Otherwise, I prefer places like Banana Leaf or even Tropika or maybe even Prima Taste for similar food style.
It's not bad, quite the contrary, everything is good and solidly done, but there's just no unique "pop" that justifies a trip here.
I went to chilli padi for the first time with some coworkers. The food was horrible - the roti canai was thick and chewy (not soft and easy to pull apart like other places). We also had the beans which had a strong odour of dried shrimp and that's all you tasted. The food took too long as well. The rice dish was better, but not even up to standard. The waiter looked like he was straight out of a hip hop video, with his pants hanging down off his butt so that you had a clear view of his underwear. How appealing. At least dress like an appropriate waiter. To put the icing on the cake, we paid by cash and we couldn't get ANY CHANGE in return. We over-tipped, which we shouldn't have. What restaurant doesn't carry a float for change? In my opinion, they deserved the $1-something only. Poor food and service. Won't be back.
My son and I have been going off and on since it opened, always impressed with the simplicity of the place, both food and service. On our last visit something changed, the food was greasy, the service lacking (the waitress was nice just inexperienced), my son's meal came at least 8 minutes before mine. I was also surprised on a Saturday night by the lack of people. I mentioned to my son that I think it is under new management and it does not have the same goodness that use to be there. In the end when I went to pay they would not take my credit card I had to go to the bank for cash, when I returned they told me they took debit card, oh well the walk was good. I asked why they stopped taking credit card and they said new management. I said, I thought so.
What was strange was as I was paying a another waiter came in carrying what looked like take out from another restaurant- not a good sign.
Unless they clean up their act and get back to the what it was in the past we will not be back.
We went to Chilli Padi Restaurant, this not my first time, with previous owner Chef Linda, we always had good experience, but not this time. As always we expecting a decent night out with a decent dinner, nice ambience and cool enviroment as usual, what i got was anything but. My boyfriend and i had the wrong food brought out to us and by the time it came out we had already been there an hour. Not only we got the wrong food, the taste so horrible that we both can't even finish our food.
Our waiter was rude from the very beginning and condescending. Not the way we should be served at all. He rushed us to order right when we sat down which is not the dining experience i am expecting. I will definitely not be coming back after this time for overpriced, rude service and blah food. We just wish if Chef Linda (previous owner) take back the restaurant before it go downhill and gone.
I give it 4 for the sambal they used on the sambal mackeral. It tasted familiar. I grew up in Singapore, used to Singapore/Indonesian/Malaysian food, this restaurant reminds me of home. Ice Milo? bring it on. If this restaurant was in South East Asia & not in Vancouver, it would be only a decent meal, but this is Vancouver, thousands of miles away from home. And it was good enough for me.
I was there this evening with a friend, patrons seem lacking. I hope people go there to give this place a try. Also because there was just us, the service was pretty prompt. The ambience/decor could do with some sprucing up. The location could be a factor too (Fraser & 41st) for the lack of patrons. Between us we had, 12 satays (with cucumbers and ketupats), 1 plate of hae bi (dried shrimp) w long beans, sambal mackeral, teh tarik and longan drink and the bill was $40. Good value as we Singaporeans will travel anywhere for good food.
I will go there again just to try out the other items on the menu.
Unassuming and nondescript on the outside, this fairly new hole in the wall is a pleasant surprise. The food is very good and authentic. We all enjoyed the sambal mackeral in particular. As well the prices are very reasonable as the four of us had 4 dishes for well under $30. We will definitely return.
My partner and I stumbled across Chilli Padi yesterday after a quick search/review on the web. This is a newly opened family-owned restaurant. Mum runs the kitchen while the son takes care of the front of the house. We ordered the Roti Canai, Beef Randang and the Mee Goreng Mamak. The food arrived promptly. The portions were generous and the taste authentic. The dining room was very clean and inviting. Their website has an online reservation system, which is always a plus in our books.
Having to have lived in Malaysia---brought up in 2 kitchens (Malay and Chinese); and ate Indian-Malay culinary styled food---I find the dishes I had, so far, at Chili Padi hit a taste of familiarity. It was like having authentic Malaysian food once again, but this time in Vancouver.
Interestingly, they were able to cook up a dish by fusing locally grown and caught food with Malaysian styled chili sauces. For instance, the grilled salmon layered over with sambal chili, and sliced lemon.
Dishes are well presented in such a way that it makes each presentation an appertizing meal.
Nothing fancy, the restaurant comfortably sits 25, clean, and it generates a warm feeling. I suppose what contributes to that feeling of warmth comes from both the friendly service as well as the "hot" and spicy food.
Finally, Chili Padi also serves halal food (or in English meaning "permissible") catering to Muslim dietary preferance.
| 1. | Pampanga's Cafe (6 m) | |
| 2. | Dhaka Fish and Biryani (9 m) |  |
| 3. | O Tea Lounge (13 m) | |
| 4. | Green Leaf Natural Food Bubble Tea (14 m) |  |
| 5. | Church's Chicken (48 m) |  |
| 6. | Slice of Chicago (60 m) | |
| 7. | L&G Bubble Tea House (68 m) | |
| 8. | Wakame Sushi (76 m) |  |
| 9. | Koon Bo restaurant (77 m) | |
| 10. | Camy's Pizza (83 m) | |
