Europe, North Macedonia

North Macedonia: The Real Macedonia

California Restaurant & Bar – 914 Pape Ave, East York, ON M4K 3V2
Country: Macedonia
Seating: Inside & large side patio.
Must-try dish: Karadjordjeva schnitzel [kar-A-george-EVA]
Dinner guests: Happy Hil & Young Matt 
The high: Gorgeous patio with ivy that takes you out of Toronto. 
The low: The traditional dishes lacked gluten-free options, but not all is lost as there are a number of dishes without gluten. FYI Happy Hil is gluten-free.

We took a seat on the patio, and although it felt like a hot Californian afternoon, this small family run business serves up traditional Macedonian and Balkan cuisine. The origins of this restaurant begin with the Jurtovski family who opened its doors in 1968 when they immigrated from Macedonia, and later sold it to a Macedonian couple in 2006. Zaneta and Dragan are the owners now, and we had the good fortune of being served by their daughter who educated us on the history and current political climate of this fascinating country.

At first glance of the menu, we narrowed down the choices by opting for the dishes with the pronunciation under the name, seeing as those seemed like the most authentic. With the help of our server we narrowed down the dishes that best represented Macedonian cuisine. 

Tavce Grafce [tavche-GRAPH-che] is described as a Macedonian classic with slow braised navy beans with caramelized onions in a blend of spices topped with fresh herbs. Although it may seem like a simple dish, the flavours and sweetness from the onions was the perfect start to a fantastic lunch.

Cevapi [CHAE-vap-ee] or known in Macedonia as Kebapi are a Balkan grilled favourite. Mini minced meat sausages served with raw onions and a side of fries. These bites are easily shareable and are generous in flavour. The fries were devine blend of salty and crispy. 

Karadjordjeva Schnitzel [kar-A-george-EVA] hand breaded and fried rolled pork tenderloin stuffed with cream cheese. Crispy exterior, exquisitely cooked meat, topped with mayonnaise. As you cut into the log, the gooey warm cheese oozes out and adds a dominant creamy element to the dish. Served with their crispy fries, steamed veggies, and a side of tartar sauce. This was possibly the top dish of the day as all of the elements are hard to not enjoy, especially once combined together into one harmonious dish.

Shopska salad [shopska salad] was a late addition to the order as we realized there was a significant lack of colour, and it helped give us the illusion of eating healthily. It’s a leafless salad consisting of chopped tomatoes, cucumber, onions, drizzled with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), and topped with shredded feta cheese.

The patio at California restaurant is phenomenal – a charming, well decorated side patio in which we could have easily spent a few hours sipping on drinks with good conversation, delicious food, and wonderful service. We learnt all about the history and struggles of the Macedonian people. In the winter months, the large portion sizes of Macedonian dishes would be the perfect comfort food to keep warm. 

Eat with you soon,

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)

9 thoughts on “North Macedonia: The Real Macedonia”

  1. Just an FYI, this is not Macedonian but Bulgarian Traditional Food. They need to stop stealing Bulgarian’s traditions amd history!!! Just formed as a country mid 20th Century as a country, Macedonia should stop stealing customs from its neighboring countries like Bulgaria and Greece.

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    1. Macedonia materialized out of the æther, naked and afraid. She looked around and saw a world full of customs, but, so freshly materialized, she had none of her own. Customs looked so inviting, so lovely, so warm. “I must make them mine,” she thought, and she threw a cloak over herself as disguise, hiding her mountains and lakes lest anyone recognize her beauty as she wandered the neighborhood, hiding customs under her cloak, praying nobody would notice them missing.

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      2. This is not a Macedonian nor a Bulgarian food. It is Turkish ottoman food. It is unfortunate for the Balkans to have so many Nationalist everywhere and therefore to live backward lives for centuries. Instead of getting along and improving the Balkan economy for ALL people they argue about food. Typical Balkan people.

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    2. This is not a Macedonian nor a Bulgarian food. It is Turkish ottoman food. It is unfortunate for the Balkans to have so many Nationalist everywhere and therefore to live backward lives for centuries. Instead of getting along and improving the Balkan economy for ALL people they argue about food. Typical Balkan people.

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  2. To the ignorant person above, winning the “Dumbest Reply Award 2022”, can you please just learn some history before you post such pointless, completely illogical comments? Bulgarians derive from an Asian Mongolian tribe, Greeks have no relation whatsoever with their ancient relatives, and Macedonians have always been there, for millenia. Learn some facts before you post such stuff. P.S. we still nothing from anyone, history has shown everything that’s been stolen from us. Enjoy Macedonian food at its finest 🙂

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    1. Really? And if i dont know history, when was the country of Macedonia created? Really Bulgarians are Mongolians now? Not sure what propaganda your Macedonian’s schools teach you, but you live in your own little world, stealing other’s history, aka Bulgarian history. And not to mention, Macedonia was mostly populated by Bulgarians!!!

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      1. This is not a Macedonian nor a Bulgarian food. It is Turkish ottoman food. It is unfortunate for the Balkans to have so many Nationalist everywhere and therefore to live backward lives for centuries. Instead of getting along and improving the Balkan economy for ALL people they argue about food. Typical Balkan people.

        Like

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