This is my first time here, and I really like the food, the vibe, the service, and the drinks.
Foods: Must Try! > Daily raw fish, Warm potato salad š„ (10/10), Beef tongue.
Drinks: I got Sake and Yuzu Collins 10/10
Service: 10/10
I will be back!!!
Daniel Rosenberg
We ordered the beef tongue, the shrimp special, the daily raw fish (fluke), tonkatsu sando, and chashu pork. Everything came out in a timely manner and in a very thoughtful order. Every dish was outstanding. The servers and bartenders were warm, attentive, and clearly passionate about their craft. Run, donāt walk.
Yeran zhong
Best bar ever!!! The foods are soooo great!!! Most go again
Saida Saat
three stars for the chef and the kitchen only, food is good but service lets this place down
Nicolas Mertens
This is the best restaurant in Toronto. Probably the greatest sake list in Canada, generous hospitality, the cutest and coziest room. You can eat the whole menu if youāve got an appetite like mine. I fantasize about a world where after a long day of hiking in the mountains, you walk into a country home and this is how you would be served and nursed back to health before plunging into a hot spring. Unfortunately there is not hot spring in the restaurant, but there is Jikon, which is probably better anyways.
TANGęø ę³
interestingš¤· To be honestļ¼the cow tongue tastes good. But it makes me confused why the potato salad is more expensive. interesting againš¤·
Amy Lee
Always love coming here for cozy vibes, comforting foods, a long list of Sake, and the owner who is so generous with a story on each and every bottle.
Van Ngo
They offer interesting small dishes to share and to pair with sake. Braised cod, warm potato salad, and cabbage salad are more appetizing than the others. Service is amazing, but I wouldn't come here just for the food because it's hit and miss.
Elaine Chen
Horrible service, attitude, and racism. Avoid!
Came based on social media pics but left shocked. Ordered beef & squid tartareātiny portion, hidden cilantro (not listed in the menu). When we asked for a remake (we canāt stand cilantro), the manager refused unless we paid twice, sneering, āTell us your preferences next timeāwe donāt cover your mistakes.ā Why should we pay for their oversight and rude attitude? If the dish isnāt as expected, why must we bear the cost?
And for such a small plate, remaking it was an easy chance to fix thingsāthey chose not to. Worst of all? Racism. Staff were warm to Caucasian guests but dismissive to us (Asians). Ironic for a Japanese izakaya to treat Asians this poorly. Unforgivable experienceānever again.
Amelia Chand
Sakai bar is a great place for drinks and apps. They have a large selection of Japanese wines, whiskey, cocktails and sake. My favourite drink was the umeshu highball.
This restaurant does not take reservations (I think because it is quite small) there are only 3 tables and the rest of the seating is at the bar. The tables are really close together and you can hear everyoneās conversations. When itās not busy it would be quite the intimate and cozy space. A plus is that servers were really attentive.
As for the food, their menu is limited to smaller plates, though the tonkatsu sando and potato salad are large portions. The meals are more beef/pork heavy so unfortunately I couldnāt eat much of the dishes.
What I did get to try was the fish of the day and their buckwheat cake in cream, which was like their take on a tres leche cake (and was very delicious). The texture was a little more dry and chewy, and the taste was like a brown butter. I really like it.
All in all it was a good experience but for my dietary preferences probably wouldnāt return unless itās for the drinks only.
Had such a great experience here. Food wise, I was very impressed! Each dish gave me a wow factor. The beef tongue was succulent and just cooked enough. The udon had the perfect chew on the noodles and was complemented by the various veg, mushrooms, and beef stir fried with it. The potato salad was very unique, with creamy potato and little bits of crunch mixed in. The tonkatsu sandwich also amazed me, it was perfectly pink inside - never had pork that tender! And finally, my favourite dish - the buckwheat cake with Koji cream. The cake itself was nutty and sweet, but the Koji cream wasn't sweet at all and had a slight almost savouriness. This dessert has been living in my head rent free ever since trying it!
Dave Guo
Food was good but not amazing. Puny sizes for not so cheap of price and 18% tip included = not worth a second visit, and would not recommend anyone coming here unless they have a small appetite or donāt mind getting ripped off.
Mark Moher
This is hands down my favourite spot in Toronto. I only take people here that I really love, because it is such amazing food, drinks, and atmosphere. Stu is one of a kind and every dish is made with love. I usually just tell him how hungry I am, and the food comes in perfect timing and rhythm. 12/10
D
Wellā¦ Where to begin?
Our first immediate red flag was that we asked if we could start with 3-4 dishes and order more and they said no. We didnāt appreciate that so we very wisely stuck with just 3-4 dishes.
I got the short rib yakisoba and at this point I realized the big joke was on us. This was a bowl with five to ten noodles in total, swimming in sauce, and three tiny thin strips of short rib. Almost no meat, few noodles, and tons and tons of sauce.
The cherry on top was when we went to pay at this expensive, overpriced restaurant that charges $30 for five noodles. They charged a credit card processing fee! And donāt tell you on the menu. I donāt care if itās a cheap restaurant that does that, but to overcharge people and then charge this fee on top pushed me over the edge. This was the final straw where my laughter about being ripped off turned to anger.
And being charged 18% mandatory tip is probably because they know they piss so many people off.
Alas that is life, some good meals and some wastes of money.
We got Pho across the street after our meagre rations.
I see the owner responding to the negative reviews and I think it shows what kind of selfish, arrogant person must be running this restaurant.
Y L
Drink is very watery, food is slow. An overpriced and overrated place. Waiter has an attitude. 18% tip is mandatory even when they are impatient and rude. Plus 2.5% extra for using credit card. I feel so bad that I brought my friends here for their first meal in Toronto. Should have gone to a real Japanese restaurant.
This is my first time here, and I really like the food, the vibe, the service, and the drinks.
Foods: Must Try! > Daily raw fish, Warm potato salad š„ (10/10), Beef tongue.
Drinks: I got Sake and Yuzu Collins 10/10
Service: 10/10
I will be back!!!
We ordered the beef tongue, the shrimp special, the daily raw fish (fluke), tonkatsu sando, and chashu pork. Everything came out in a timely manner and in a very thoughtful order. Every dish was outstanding. The servers and bartenders were warm, attentive, and clearly passionate about their craft. Run, donāt walk.
Best bar ever!!! The foods are soooo great!!! Most go again
three stars for the chef and the kitchen only, food is good but service lets this place down
This is the best restaurant in Toronto. Probably the greatest sake list in Canada, generous hospitality, the cutest and coziest room. You can eat the whole menu if youāve got an appetite like mine. I fantasize about a world where after a long day of hiking in the mountains, you walk into a country home and this is how you would be served and nursed back to health before plunging into a hot spring. Unfortunately there is not hot spring in the restaurant, but there is Jikon, which is probably better anyways.
interestingš¤· To be honestļ¼the cow tongue tastes good. But it makes me confused why the potato salad is more expensive. interesting againš¤·
Always love coming here for cozy vibes, comforting foods, a long list of Sake, and the owner who is so generous with a story on each and every bottle.
They offer interesting small dishes to share and to pair with sake. Braised cod, warm potato salad, and cabbage salad are more appetizing than the others. Service is amazing, but I wouldn't come here just for the food because it's hit and miss.
Horrible service, attitude, and racism. Avoid!
Came based on social media pics but left shocked. Ordered beef & squid tartareātiny portion, hidden cilantro (not listed in the menu). When we asked for a remake (we canāt stand cilantro), the manager refused unless we paid twice, sneering, āTell us your preferences next timeāwe donāt cover your mistakes.ā Why should we pay for their oversight and rude attitude? If the dish isnāt as expected, why must we bear the cost?
And for such a small plate, remaking it was an easy chance to fix thingsāthey chose not to. Worst of all? Racism. Staff were warm to Caucasian guests but dismissive to us (Asians). Ironic for a Japanese izakaya to treat Asians this poorly. Unforgivable experienceānever again.
Sakai bar is a great place for drinks and apps. They have a large selection of Japanese wines, whiskey, cocktails and sake. My favourite drink was the umeshu highball.
This restaurant does not take reservations (I think because it is quite small) there are only 3 tables and the rest of the seating is at the bar. The tables are really close together and you can hear everyoneās conversations. When itās not busy it would be quite the intimate and cozy space. A plus is that servers were really attentive.
As for the food, their menu is limited to smaller plates, though the tonkatsu sando and potato salad are large portions. The meals are more beef/pork heavy so unfortunately I couldnāt eat much of the dishes.
What I did get to try was the fish of the day and their buckwheat cake in cream, which was like their take on a tres leche cake (and was very delicious). The texture was a little more dry and chewy, and the taste was like a brown butter. I really like it.
All in all it was a good experience but for my dietary preferences probably wouldnāt return unless itās for the drinks only.
Restaurantji Recommends
Had such a great experience here. Food wise, I was very impressed! Each dish gave me a wow factor. The beef tongue was succulent and just cooked enough. The udon had the perfect chew on the noodles and was complemented by the various veg, mushrooms, and beef stir fried with it. The potato salad was very unique, with creamy potato and little bits of crunch mixed in. The tonkatsu sandwich also amazed me, it was perfectly pink inside - never had pork that tender! And finally, my favourite dish - the buckwheat cake with Koji cream. The cake itself was nutty and sweet, but the Koji cream wasn't sweet at all and had a slight almost savouriness. This dessert has been living in my head rent free ever since trying it!
Food was good but not amazing. Puny sizes for not so cheap of price and 18% tip included = not worth a second visit, and would not recommend anyone coming here unless they have a small appetite or donāt mind getting ripped off.
This is hands down my favourite spot in Toronto. I only take people here that I really love, because it is such amazing food, drinks, and atmosphere. Stu is one of a kind and every dish is made with love. I usually just tell him how hungry I am, and the food comes in perfect timing and rhythm. 12/10
Wellā¦ Where to begin?
Our first immediate red flag was that we asked if we could start with 3-4 dishes and order more and they said no. We didnāt appreciate that so we very wisely stuck with just 3-4 dishes.
I got the short rib yakisoba and at this point I realized the big joke was on us. This was a bowl with five to ten noodles in total, swimming in sauce, and three tiny thin strips of short rib. Almost no meat, few noodles, and tons and tons of sauce.
The cherry on top was when we went to pay at this expensive, overpriced restaurant that charges $30 for five noodles. They charged a credit card processing fee! And donāt tell you on the menu. I donāt care if itās a cheap restaurant that does that, but to overcharge people and then charge this fee on top pushed me over the edge. This was the final straw where my laughter about being ripped off turned to anger.
And being charged 18% mandatory tip is probably because they know they piss so many people off.
Alas that is life, some good meals and some wastes of money.
We got Pho across the street after our meagre rations.
I see the owner responding to the negative reviews and I think it shows what kind of selfish, arrogant person must be running this restaurant.
Drink is very watery, food is slow. An overpriced and overrated place. Waiter has an attitude. 18% tip is mandatory even when they are impatient and rude. Plus 2.5% extra for using credit card. I feel so bad that I brought my friends here for their first meal in Toronto. Should have gone to a real Japanese restaurant.
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