Lunch Tuesday: Paramount Fine Foods

The recently-opened Paramount Fine Foods (253 Yonge St.) is already a favourite at work. In fact, there’s a take-out menu tacked up on our bulletin board.

“It’s a falafel place,” a co-worker explained.

“It’s new,” she added.

The downtown location is the third outpost for Paramount, which already has restaurants in Thornhill and Mississauga. It opened on Yonge Street right across from the Eaton Centre about a month ago, in the spot vacated by Superior.

I walked in expecting a falafel stand. What I got was a full-size restaurant with gorgeous display cases and a shelf of mouth-watering desserts.

The prime piece of real estate should have given me a clue. Though it’s barely been open a month, Paramount was packed on a recent lunch visit. There are two cashes set up for take-out orders, and two floors of seating for those wishing to stay.

There’s a bakery at the back, with baskets of puffy, curved pita ready to serve. Along the side, right where you stand to wait for your take-out order, is the glorious dessert case. They must have put it here on purpose, just to induce drool.

And finally, along the north wall, is a long grill manned by several employees. There are the familiar rotating spits of shawarma, skewers of kebabs, and rows and rows of pickles.

I ordered the falafel plate ($7.99) and the beef and chicken plate ($11.99). The beef and chicken plate came, unexpectedly, with French fries. Also unexpected was the depth of spice in both meats. The flavour moved this shawarma into first place, taking over my long-time favourite Doner Kebab House (391 Yonge St.). The kebab house still has the best hot sauce, however.

Also – you don’t have to get French fries with your order. Rice is also available as a side, but I didn’t know at the time and my server didn’t ask.

The falafels, meanwhile, were crisp on the outside and light within – and they were snapped up quickly by my colleagues. The order came with six pieces but by the time I pulled out the camera, two were gone. The plates come with two kinds of pickles, a tomato and lettuce salad, and a healthy dose of tahini.

I’ll definitely be going back – and I’ll keep my own menu at my desk, just in case.

Email me: erin.criger@citynews.rogers.com