Something has shifted in how Scarborough eats. Five years ago, the options after 11 PM were limited — fast food, maybe a 24-hour diner. Today, the neighbourhood's best restaurants are staying open later, and the late-night crowd has grown noticeably.
We see it in our own dining room. The 11 PM to 2 AM stretch, once quiet, is now often our busiest period on weekends. Tables of hospital workers finishing night shifts. Families who spent the evening at an event and want a proper meal before heading home. Young couples who want somewhere good to eat after a movie.
What they all have in common: they want real food, not a quick grab. They're not in a rush. They want to sit down, order a few dishes, and have a meal that feels worth the late hour.
For us, that means we cook the same way at midnight as we do at noon. The wok stays hot, the fish maw soup is always on, and the eel clay pot rice that's been braising all evening is at its best by the end of the night.
If you haven't tried coming in after 10 PM, it's worth it. The room is quieter, the service is more relaxed, and the food is exactly the same.