the chai philosophy
““Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet, till earth and sky stand presently at God’s great judgment seat; but there is neither East nor West, border, nor breed, nor birth, when two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of the earth!” ”
Welcome to East is East
East is East is a dream borne from the minds and hearts of Mustafa and Razaviah, siblings of Afghan descent. Escaping Afghanistan as a family during the Soviet war, they relocated in India and traveled throughout the country absorbing the culture through its language, art and cuisine.
Upon migrating to Canada, their immigrant experience confirmed to them the importance of creating spaces where a vibrant cultural exchange between East and West could take place. Wanting to break beyond the conventional ethnic restaurants they encountered in Canada, they created East is East as a hub for strong men and women of diverse cultures to feel at home in a place that was beyond boundaries.
The fusion approaches to food, ambiance, music and art all contribute to creating a sense of universality while retaining the essence of the Eastern heritage that the owners have brought with them to this land. Appreciating the growing movement of lifestyles of health and sustainability, East is East consciously integrates local and organic food into the menu, has harvested sustainable materials for restaurant interiors, and works to decrease its carbon footprint with small steps in the right direction.
Anybody who has traveled along the ancient Silk Road will know of the quaint dhabbas (eateries) that have served adventurous travellers through the centuries. Today, these dhabbas have transformed into charming little street vendors that dot the Silk Road from Mongolia through Tibet, India, Persia, to Istanbul.
At East is East, we capture the vibrant energy of these charming dhabbas that represent the beauty and diverse flavours of this ancient region.
““Your five senses will awaken at the Chai Gallery. The ambiance is dark and mysterious, candle-lit and warm. The dining experience is as if you have been transported into a different world.”
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