My first time was in '84. The second time was '86. After that, a love affair had began. With Japan and Japanese food and culture, I mean. I tried to (foolishly) learn Nippongo on my own and even surrounded myself with Japanese influences - from Sanrio to sushi. Fast forward to this Toronto winter night, I feel like that little kid in love with Japan again. I am transported back to Tokyo. Into a rowdy Japanese restaurant. But. I. am. in. Toronto.
Guu Izakaya, a restaurant concept that started in Vancouver, now has an outpost in Toronto. True, the line-ups went around the block, but we were determined to tough it out. The wait was close to 2 hours, but as soon as the friendly gatekeeper called us, we jumped up like eager little bunnies. A chorus of Japanese sing-song greetings accosted us through the door, while fellow customers cheered and clapped as we sat. The energy at this friendly boîte was positive and favourable. We hoped the food would hold up its end of the bargain.
Izakaya has come to loosely mean "a Japanese tapas-style drinking bar" in modern terms. Here, the tables are communal, so there were plenty of chances to schmooze and booze with your neighbours. As Japanese menus (with English translations) were passed down the table - along with hot towels - we got down to the business of ordering.
"Takowasabi" octopus with chopped wasabi stems and vegetables; "Kabocha Korokke" deep fried kabocha croquette with boiled egg; "Gomaae" boiled spinach with black sesame sauce
"Takowasabi" octopus with chopped wasabi stems and vegetables - ready to be rolled. Caution: spicy!
"Aburi Salmon" seared Atlantic salmon with ponzu sauce and wasabi mayo
"Brie Cheese" deep fried Brie cheese with mango and blueberry sauce
"Karokke" deep fried smashed potatoes and ground beef croquettes with Tonkatsu sauce
"Fresh shrimps"
"Kakuni" sweet miso-braised pork belly with boiled egg and a dollop of wasabi
"Fish foie gras"
"Kakimayo" grilled oyster with spinach, garlic mayo and cheese
"Gyutangue" grilled beef tongue (a favourite)
"Karubi" salt-and-pepper grilled beef short ribs with green onions
"Tontoro" grilled pork cheek with salt and yuzu pepper
We ended the 2-hour feast in a reverie of tempura bananas with coconut ice cream. By this time, my miso-soup-sipping little girl had turned into a Sleeping Beauty.
Looks like the table next to us cleared as well.
The verdict? It was unthinkable fun while it lasted, with food that matches the jovial atmosphere. But how long will the hype last?
Did I just take you back to Japan for a bit there?
Guu Izakaya
398 Church Street, Toronto, Canada M5B 2A2
Tel. 416-977-0999
25 comments:
Just lovely. You've really taken your photography to the next level!
Hi Jen! Sorry for the delay, but a new year always brings new troubles... ;)
This post is gorgeous; and the food looks much more exquisite than my common lunch at the Bonsai Japanese restaurant in Lisbon... ;))
Meanwhile a new blog is born: Blogtrotter Two! Hope you enjoy at least as much as the previous version and look forward to reading your comments!
Have a great weekend!!! Gil
Oh wow! This place and the food look exactly as if it was in an izakaya in Tokyo! The menu, too! When I was living in Melbourne, I went to one izakaya that was around but oh it was not really that good....
Great photographs too Jen!
Thanks for posting this Jen - I have read all the hype about it and wondered whether is was worth it ( a TWO hour wait?? Come ON!). Might try going early one of these nights so the wait is minimised. Your post proves I need to check it out for myself!
Damn we ordered a lot of food. I liked the spinich. Oh and that japaneese guy with a towel on his head was pretty cute. Glad I got you to turn around for that shot. haha
Mel
Wowee, that looks like quite possibly the best Japanese food I've ever seen! Nice photos! ...and thanks for the comment on my blog!
Wow ! I've been to Toronto - AND Japan, even before 9am on a Sunday morning ! ;) What a beautifully photographed and delicious adventure to start my day, dōmo arigatō. Perhaps a tad too much wasabi for me, cough cough ! Amazing, Japanese tapas. Nothing like that here in Zürich, that's for sure. I'll just keeping tagging along with you here... ! Love to !!
wow, a two hour wait to get into an izakaya, sounds like you were in hong kong! lol
the food looks divine though!! obviously worth the wait.
yummm...this one looks even better than the one in vancouver actually...
Excuse me why I'm cleaning up my laptop that I drool over!!!!
Your pictures are AMAZING. Can you teach me? :)
This looks like a fun place to enjoy great food with friends.
I love sushi, but the fish foie gras sounds kinda creepy. The deep fried Brie cheese, however, is a fantastic idea I'd love to try!
Simply stunning! The food and the photography. I love the shot of the 'naked' shrimp.
Of all place, I'd love to live in Japan! I loved living in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong (before it was China) ... but when I travelled to Japan for an extended visit .. I loved it.
I've had lunch. And. I am hungry. Anything Japanese is fine with me, and take there please when I pop over :)
Hi Jen! Thanks for your comment at my new blog Blogtrotter Two, now at the Art Deco District in South Beach! Hope to read you there often! Have a great week ahead!!!
PS: I would suggest you head to Capetown before summer ends down there... ;)
Love your work. Excellent composition, details, and such vivid colors
Wow! I've always wanted to visit Japan...especially after my brother got married to a Japanese-American. I want her to show me all the secret spots. One day I'll get there! :) Awesome photos! xo
Fab photos! It makes me hungry - I love Japanese food. I can never bring myself to take many photos in a restaurant.
Woah omg! This good looks so so so so good! Yum!
Wow, beautiful blog. I love the food pictures you're taking. They're so vivid. I'm salivating right now :p
Wow, great post on Guu!!
I loved Guu in Vancouver, amazing food...the restarant had quite a small space though, so there was always a lineup.
Definitely have to try it out in T.O. - whether they have the same taste :)
Line-ups around the block and a long wait, often a tell-tale sign that a place is well worth visiting.
You totally transported me to Japan for a while!
Hey Jen dear!!!
I'm hope you are great!!!
Your pics are just awesome!!!
Lots of love,
Dana
Great post on Izakaya (I love your photos!). I did an Izakaya crawl on my last trip to Vancouver, and can't wait to do it again on my next trip. The food is amazing! My favorite Izakaya restaurants on Robson St were Hapa and Guu with Garlic.
Jen - I went here the other night and it was fab fab fab!!!!! Will be posting soon! Had this bookmarked to go back and check out some of the dishes you wrote about !
Post a Comment