R&D

Cuisine

Fusion, Chinese

Michelin

bib_gourmand

Price

$$$

Website

https://www.rdspadina.com/

Description

In a match made on primetime, Chef Alvin Leung was one of the judges who declared Eric Chong the winner of "MasterChef Canada’s" first season, before taking on the younger chef as his protégé. Smack dab in the middle of Chinatown, this hip, unconventional eatery is the product of their partnership, serving up just the sort of freewheeling fusion cuisine that made Chong a TV hit. The assortment of decidedly untraditional dim sum serves as a prime example, drawing upon a grab bag of international flavors, including French, Chinese and Korean, as in flaky sou filled with foie gras parfait, or bao

Review score

4.4

Review count

80

Review summary

R&D in Toronto offers fusion Chinese cuisine with strong overall ratings. Food highlights include exceptional char siu, kale salad, and porcini rice, though some diners noted vegetables were overly salty or served too quickly, causing them to cool. Service is generally attentive and professional, with helpful staff, although strict seating times frustrated some guests. The atmosphere is modern, featuring a popular chef's rail. Value perceptions vary significantly; while many praise generous portions and quality, others find the pricing unjustified given inconsistent dish execution. It remains a notable spot for those seeking innovative Asian flavors.

Best for

Suitable for diners seeking innovative fusion Chinese cuisine and comfortable with a fast-paced service style.

Restaurant facts are unified under a canonical restaurant ID; source ids are references. Commission never ranks. FlyerKey never transacts — any booking link is an off-site affiliate deep-link, and commission never influences ranking.