Ghoroaa restaurant on Kennedy brings the magic of the popular Bangla Town original to Scarborough.

A staple of Bangla Town since 2004, the original Ghoroaa still draws crowds for its traditional Bangladeshi recipes. Curries, biryanis and samosas can be bought in bulk, though seating is somewhat limited.

The new restaurant offers many of the same items in a spacious venue, just a block away from Kennedy Station.

Blue and white are the dominant colours here, with hints of gold giving the dining room a touch of class. A mural detailing the restaurant's history can be seen on the wall near the kitchen.Owner Rafee Syed and his family split their time between the Danforth location and the Scarborough one, ensuring that both restaurants are operating according to their standards.

Though fairly sedate during the week, Ghoroaa attracts huge crowds on weekends. Families of four or more fill the dining room and plates are piled so high that it's often difficult to see the tabletops.

Rafee says that his goal was to create a friendly environment for both new and returning customers: "We want you to feel welcome here. We don't want you to feel like, 'oh, this is their community, we can't be a part of that'."

Since opening in February 2024, the restaurant has been running a promotion for complimentary chai with every meal. Given the popularity of the tea back at the original location, this is a welcome addition to the menu.Chicken Pakora ($11.99) is a light appetizer made from chicken fillets sprinkled with South Asian spices.

Fish Pakora ($11.99) is a variation on the same recipe, made with fried fish.

Both dishes have a bit of a kick, but aren't overly spicy.

Chicken Samosas ($2 each) are filled with minced meat and chopped onions and dressed with shredded carrots and green chillies. Muglai Parata ($9.99) are bite-sized pieces of flatbread stuffed with fluffy fried eggs. They're among Ghoroaa's milder dishes, which makes them great for snacking on in between plates of spicy curry.Pulao ($6.99) is a simple meal, consisting of white rice and a deep fried egg. Though it can be eaten on its own, it's best when used as a side or base and combined with different meats and curries.The Special Breakfast Thali ($15.99) is a platter that comes with a variety of Bangladeshi breakfast staples. Plain parata and atta roti are just some of the items found on this huge tray.Paya is a traditional soup made from cow hooves. It is one of the breakfast platter's three main course options, the others being nihari and lotpoti. Garlic naan is served alongside the paya, but pairs well with almost any saucy dish.The Desi Chicken Roast ($12.99) is prepared in the style of a Bangladeshi wedding roast. Chopped onions and garam masala gravy give this dish a distinctive tangy taste. Duck Curry ($14.99) is one of Ghoroaa's specialties. The meat is gamier than what I'm used to, but its unique taste helped it stand out among other, similar dishes.Beef Curry ($13.99) is slow cooked in aromatic spices, giving it an interesting savoury-sweet taste.The Bihari Kabab ($15.99) is a tender beef kabab with earthy undertones, as a result of being cooked in a clay tandoor.The 10 oz Ribeye ($39) is served with Parmesan-infused mashed potatoes and seasoned vegetables. Though not as spicy as some of the other offerings, this can be easily remedied with a dash of chutney.Shahi Tukra ($6.99) is a sweet cake deep fried in ghee, then topped with cream and nuts. Pitha ($1.99 each) come in many different shapes and sizes: some are long strands covered with sesame seeds, while others are small, leaf-like fritters etched with intricate designs.Rafee tells us that Egg Pudding ($6.99) is the Bangladeshi equivalent to creme brulee.

While the soft texture and sweet, caramelized flavour are somewhat similar, the pistachios on top give the dessert its own unique character.Iced Coffee ($4.99) comes topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, making it look more like a milkshake than a conventional coffee.Salted Lassi ($7.99) was a surprise favourite of mine. I'm used to lassi being sweet and creamy, and while those flavours were still present here, the drink was also tart and salty.

This unique flavour profile was quite refreshing, especially after a heavily spiced meal.

Ghoroaa is located at 790 Kennedy Road.