Katsura

At the Westin Prince Hotel

Fresh, best sashami I've had in a long time, and just a unique and different take on japanese food, more traditional, more attention to detail, in both presentation and taste.
I came here tonight with my parents because of Andrew A's review. I forgot about this place, but I used to come here a lot with I was kid, before the place became so pricey.

It was like being in familiar territory because the same people that were working here when i was a kid, still worked here except not in their usual kimono garb. The service is really attentive, at one point we had three people serving us, even the chef came out to say hello!

The food was very good, but very pricey! We had a sashami platter, and you can definately taste the difference between regular fish, and katsura fish (however, if you go to vancouver, it does taste this fresh with a third of the cost).

One thing that was very worth it was the grilled unagi rice. They make it in front of you, with the rice, wasabi, nori, eel (which he torch seared the top first0, egg, and some rice balls, mixed it up all together, and it served at like 7-8 bowls full. ($33)

We also got the black cod, which was very nice, smooth and crunchy. it same with small side garnishes, including a sticky rice mochi wrapped in a bamboo leaf, some pickled veggies, all edible.
What I loved was the attention to detail, and how delicate everything was.

For dessert we got the banana crepe ($8) which was flambeed with grand marnier and served with bananas on the side, and strawberries.

The total cost was $180 for 3 ppl. It was quite worth it, but only for a special occasion. Something unique fo sure. I wonder if it's comparable to the new Katseki place that opened at the japanese community centre.

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KOKO Share Bar

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/koko-share-bar-toronto#hrid:GMb9wzkEzOPGtigM2yc_PA

To try.

Guu Izakaya

I was SO pleased to finally try this restaurant after hearing how awesome it was, and how long people have to wait. They don't take reservations, and we heard that the average line up was 2hrs. When we got there with a party of 6 people, and heard the lineup was only going to be an hour, we were plesantly surprised.  While we waited, we got a glimpse of the interior from peep holes on the outside wall.

Let me say first that it was completely worth the wait.  We arrived at 8:45pm and unfortunately waited until 10:15pm before we got let in. The place is small, and maybe fits about 50-70 people. It's quite cozy and communal tables are the trend here.

An Izakaya is traditionally a bar that serves food with drinks. At Guu, and other izakayas like Manpuku in Toronto, they serve food then and the drinks accompany it, but it's small dishes like tapas but all authentic in it's origins.

 It even looks like the Izakayas in Japan on the wiki.

When we finally went in and sat down, all the servers and cooks shout out a greeting, and everyone stares at us. I imagine it's to welcome us to their establishment.
During our meal, we also saw 3 birthdays (I suspect that they pretend to get the attention) but the whole restaurant will clap and sing Happy Birthday.
When you leave, everyone shouts at you, Thank You for coming, or something of that sort.
In a sense, suddenly you've entered this family for about 2 hrs while you dine.

During the meal, food came pretty quickly and with our bouncy and cheerful server, she got our orders in quick and was really nice about everything. I hastily tried to take photos before the food was devoured (you can imagine after waiting to eat until 10:45pm)

Although we had 6 people, every dish seemed to be made for 2-3 people and shared. Everything was also priced on average $4-7 per dish. We ordered about 2 dishes each. This place would still be good for couples, where you can order a lot, try different things and not end up with an overly full stomach, or empty wallet.

We started with the

"ABURI SALMON" Lightly seared atlantic salmon sashimi
with ponzu sauce and wasabi mayo

(there was wasabi on this? i didn't even taste it!)

It was very good sashimi. soft, tender tons of flavour.

Next was

"KINOKO CHEESE BIBIMBAP" 

Rice, garlic sauteed mushrooms and cheese with seaweed sauce

 The cheese really added a nice creamy texture.

Then (my favourite)

"TAKOYAKI" Deep fried puffed octopus balls served
with TONKATSU sauce and mustard mayo

Not as big as the ones from Manpuku, but they also don't take 20 mins to make. Yummmm

"HOTATE BUTTER" Pan fried scallop with soysauce and garlic butter

As I predicted, the scallops were buttery smooth.  (and I forgot to take a picture!!!!)

"KAKUNI" Sweet miso braised pork belly with boiled egg 

This was very much like Dong Bo Yuk in Shanghainese cuisine, but without the thick red sauce. It was good, but Chinese version is better.

"TONTORO" Grilled pork cheek with salt and YUZU pepper

It was okay. The meat was bit tough.

"GINDARA" Grilled black cod with SAIKYO miso and white wine sauce

A little more pricier than most dishes, but SO good. Soft fish, with tons of miso flavour

"GYUTANGUE" Grilled beef tongue with salt

We got this during round 2, and it was one of the specials for each stick $2. It was very good and tender tongue.

"KAKIMAYO" Grilled oysters with spinach, garlic mayo and cheese on the top

This was pretty worth the cholesterol.  I could have eaten the whole thing myself.

"KARUBI" Salt&papper grilled beef short ribs with green onion sauce 

I liked this version of Kalbi. the meat was not tough at all. 

Lastly, this was an udon, but I'm not sure which one. It doens't look like much, but the noodles were covered in a smooth creamy miso-y sauce that made it really tasty.

Overall the highlights were:

 - takoyaki

 - kalbi type short ribs

 - cheese bimbimbap

 - oysters 

 - black cod

Takumi Sushi

Takumi Sushi is a usual joint for the business folks that work around the yonge and wellesley area. It's a small place on yonge street, but a great find.

Lunch here is super cheap. Around $7 for a meal with rolls, salad and soup.
However, if you want any thin gmore substantial like sashami, or teriyaki, it's much more $$.

The rolls we got were good, spider roll and unagi roll. But I'm not a huge fan of just rolls. I get bored easily, and would rather have new things. But surprisingly it was quite filling. For this price, i might just have to learn to like it!

Kenzo Ramen

138 Dundas St W, Dundas and Bay (Elizabeth Street)
11am to 10pm

http://www.kenzoramen.ca/

Dec.11.2009
A quick weekday lunch, Conrad (my award winning violinist friend :) and I arrived at Kenzo a little before 12pm. There were plenty of seats, but around 12:45 when we left, there was a long line up. The place is not large, but accommodates many, with a good use of space.

We ordered two large noodles ($7.95-$8.95) and they were big portions! The noodles were NOT cup of noodles and the assortment of soups and topping choices was exciting.

'

Below is the Sapporo Miso Bowl

I LOVE takoyaki, but this one had more flour and rice dough ratio than normal. Still good. YUMMY

Definately a great lunch and authentic japanese noodle place.

Dec.09.2009
After looking at blogto's review of Liberty Noodle, I wasn't too impressed with the price and the feedback from customers. Someone suggested that instead of Mr. CupofNoodles with some fancy ingredients, Kenzo serves authentic made in house ramen, and at a much lower cost. I was sold on the mention of Takoyaki as a side.

See the blogto review.


They have your basic ramen, spicy ramen, speciality ramen , and a hole list of sides.

Price points seem good with ramen at $5.95 plus and gyoza at $6.95

Ame

12.04.2009 (see my preview below)

You pass by the red walls with black cherry blossoms, and you wonder where the entrance is. Enclosed by 2 large steel double doors, you enter another world. A huge difference from what Rain used to be, this place has so much character and feel. Ame = Rain in Japanese

I ordered a Hot Sake for $14. It was nice after a Cold cold walk. Went down very smooth.

We started with Edamame covered in sea salt.

We got two orders of sashimi, 6 pcs around $13 each. This was the Sea Bream. Thin slices, but didn't have much flavor.

We also got the Salmon Belly. It was good, but didn't really see the difference between that and regular salmon. Regardless, it was very fresh. The Salmon belly had a miso drop on it.

Next was the Grilled Black Cod. Very flavourful. And Crispy. It was my favourite.

Then the Robata Grill Butter fish. Not as good as the Black Cod. A little rubbery.

We got tempura $10 for 6 pieces. Perfectly crispy and battered, and served with Wasabi Soy dipping sauce.

I never tried Wagyu beef before. Karmen said that the Flatiron wasn't that good ($28) but the Sirlion was $55. We went with the short ribs. It tasted like chinese "ban yook". It was tender and chewy and served with a berry sauce.

The last dish was a Watercress salad. Served in boquets and with soy beans and seasame 'tota' (some japanese candy. we weren't sure what it was.

For dessert we had the Liquid Chocolate. It was mousse filled with melted chocolate and covered with more chocolate and and wafer. All desserts $9.

We also got the Apple + Chestnut. There was a lot going on in the dessert, and I can't describe it all.

Overall, it was a good restaurant, and worth trying, however be careful with your orders to make the experience worth while. And be prepared to spend some money.

I would come again, but not in a long while.

They also didn't know how to refill my hot water.

Just don't get these guys mad

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New Japanese restuarant called Ame opened up on Mercer where Rain used to be. Ame means Rain in Japanese.

According to the review on blog.to: http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/ame this place looks unique and worth trying out.

Not sure if it's a glitch on my browser but I can't view the entire menu on their website, but maybe you will have better luck: Website

The Sashimi there is priced between $12-16. Nigri platter 12 for $36.
True, this isn't the most cheap place, but seems affordable, and hopefully fresh and good quality.

The Robata Grill looks yummy, and offers some things I've never tried before. mmm Butterfish

Butterfish, Salted Miso Plum Broth 19

Pork Belly, Tonkatsu  16

Wagyu Flatiron 30 "A Wagyu flat-iron steak is paired with braised oxtail stuffed in bone marrow ($28). The steak is nicely marbled, juicy and charred to perfection, while the braised oxtail is tender and well-seasoned."

 The cocktails don't look exteremly appetizing on first glance, but look VERY interesting and worth trying. They can't put it on the menu if it tastes bad!

Gin Kim chi 14
Gin, pickled ginger, pickled daikon, cilantro, kojuchang, lemon juice, simple syrup

Budou Cocktail 14
Grape infused Vodka, house made bitters, pressed grape juice, ginger-concord grape foam, edible flowers

Interesting:

"We're told that there are some intriguing plans for AME in the new year. A cocktail school is in the works, while a lineup of celebrity chefs (including Iron Chef Morimoto) will also grace AME's kitchen."

I am posting this as $$$$ (as opposed to $$$) because I'm not sure you get too much quanitity for the meal.

Manpuku

www.manpuku.ca

I've been wanting to try this place ever since I went to Night Market last year and Ada told me this is the only place where I can get my Takoballs on a regular basis. But they have funny hours and not open on Sundays, and close at like 8pm.

SO YUMMY

I got take out, as I was on my own and in the area. What a GREAT IDEA. The food probably tasted extra better as I was sitting at my tv watching 90210. Yum.

It's small, but I was glad it wasn't busy. I sat at the bar area, and contemplated my order. They have their regular menu, but a special menu that looks like it changes regularly on the wall. I got my Takoyaki, but for 4.99 you get 6 of them. I could have probably eaten that all myself and not ordered anything else, but can't be a fatso like that. For $2.99 you can get Takosen (Takoyaki, served on a shrimp cracker) You only get 3 or them, but worth the extra money for me so I don't overindulge. But I think if ever I go again with people, the Takoyaki 6 pieces is more worth it.
Waiting 20 minutes was worth it. The shrimp crackers didn't do much.

Yum.
I got the ShirueDon. It's friend egg with yummy mayo on top of rice. Now I think I should have gotten the beef instead. It was cold by the time I ate it tho, because I opened it up to take a pic. Still yummy! $8.99

For $2.99 I wanted their pudding. I think it was like a Steamed Egg Custard. At least that was what it looked like in the picture. I saw her take it out of the fridge and put it in a styrofoam. It was just a creme caramel. Good, not phenomenal.

Would definitely want to go again and try other foods on the menu. Need 2 people at least for that. And I didn't want to bring home soup in case I spilled it. The place has a great selection of traditional authentic and unique japanese favourites.