Rusi is a newish Sri Lankan lunch counter right outside of King Subway Station.  I visited with friends recently and was introduced to Siva, who formerly ran Toni Bulloni.  He tells me that he moved from Yorkville to manage The Office Pub and uses its larger kitchen to cook much of the food for Rusi (located right next door).  What they’re cooking in that kitchen is a real winner.  The result is a line-up that’s often out the door.  Rusi is the only food of its kind in the Financial District; the best Sri Lankan taste you’ll get without travelling to north-east Scarborough.

Rusi has a number of Short Eats available to get things rolling.  I had a Mutton Roll that was so good, I finished it before I could snap a picture.  Rookie move!  Other Sri Lankan favourites like String Hoppers and Pittu are available on their daily smorgasboard.  And thanks to their opening-day giveaway, perhaps what they’re best know for is their Kothu Roti.  I try mine with Chicken and am totally impressed with the flavours they’ve realized.  There’s also a curry of the day on the specials board.  Crab was on the menu during my last visit!

For me, their pièce de résistance is the Thali lunch combo.  It’s an enormous serving of food (especially if you crushed some Short Eats beforehand).  Start by choosing your meat (lamb, chicken or squid) alongside 3 well-spiced vegetable dishes.  If you’re vegetarian, choose 4 veggie dishes atop perfect basmati rice for less than $10.  Everything gets topped off with a delicious beet & carrot salad that adds just the right amount of acidity to tie everything together.  Delicious lunch plate.

Next time you’re in the Financial District and are looking for some cheap eats that are big on flavour, check out the guys at Rusi.  If you work locally, it’ll no doubt become a regular part of your lunch rotation.  My office is not too far away, so I’ve been frequenting every couple of weeks and still look forward to going every time.

#torontofoodblog