Guu SakaBar

Last year I had the pleasure of experiencing Guu Izakaya that their Church Street location, just south of the “gayborhood” here in Toronto. Guu Izakaya is a Vancouver-based chain of bars that offer Japanese-style small plates along with ice-cold draft beer and an eclectic array of cocktails. From the moment you enter Guu to when you exit (stuffed to your gills), you’re treated to a fun dining experience that’s probably the most unique in Toronto.

Each and every time I went to Guu’s Church Street location I was met my line-ups and reminded that they don’t accept reservations. Guu’s popularity in Toronto is so huge that a second location was being vetted to open in Toronto. The location is in Toronto’s Annex neighborhood, on Bloor St. West (south side just east of Bathurst) in a spot where Burger King used to be.

At first I had a hard time looking for Guu SakaBar (the official name of the 2nd Toronto location) as I was looking for the usual line-up outside – not to be. Guu SakaBar has been open not even a week and word hasn’t got out yet that this second Guu location is now open for business. The outside (and interior) of Guu SakaBar looks much like the Church Street location but there’s also a dining room with hardwood floors, a sunken floors where diners may sit around low tables – Japanese style. No shoes are allowed in this area and you must remove your footwea before entering. Slippers are provided (if desired) and you’re welcome to dine a la Japanoise. we were 5th or 6th to be seated, the resto was almost barren and I chose to sit at the bar situated right in front of the kitchen – where the real action is!

Guu SakaBar has daily specials and their own menu that’s very different from the Church St. location. There are some familiar dishes on the SakaBar menu but it’s mostly new items here. Great…bring on the buffet-slacks. Luuuuuuuu-cy…we have some eating to do! Below, you will find the dishes that I tried out at Guu SakaBar and after, I’ve included a slide show of some of the other dishes that passed us by as orders for other patrons were left for pick-up by the kitchen staff.

First up was this octopus carpaccio, served with these cute small spoons and some leaves of seaweed to wrap with. I love octopus in almost any form and this was a wonderful to begin the  tasting.

Next up was this creamy octopus gratin. Some octopus balls in a creamy, cheezy sauce that’s baked and served hot to your table. Rich, flavourful (likely not too good for you but delish).

A favourite from the Church St. location is the deep-fried Brie…decadent and Oh So Good!

Loved this scallop sashimi in a sea urchin cream.

Some salad is always good to counter all the protein one may eat a Guu. Loved this Daikon & Jellyfish salad with a Miso-type dressing.

The rice burger is a whimsical dish with thin-shaved beef inside two rice-patty buns.

Everyone at the table loved the Udon Carbonara. Apparently Carbonara is popular with the Japanese. It’s popular here too!

We ordered some BBQ Pork which comes with a small side of sizzling sauce. The general manager/chef was stationed right in front of us and he did the honours of pouring the sizzling sauce on the pork. Great kitchen theatrics and a delicious pork dish.

Another fabulous dish was this dish of broiled scallops and mushrooms in hot butter and served in a scallop shell. My only complaint here? I wish I had some crusty bread or a steam bun to mop-up the sauce…it was that good!

Next up was an order of Kushi Age, Japanese deep-fried kebabs and I ordered the assortment of 5 which consisted of quail eggs, taro, mushrooms, potato and bacon. The assortment plate was a disappointment as only the mushrooms and the bacon were delicious. The other kebabs were in need of seasoning. Order the bacon, ham or bacon deep-fried kebabs.

Time for a little lighter fare, we sampled the red snapper sushi, three pieces of snapper with three different flavours. The fish was fresh, firm and delicious…a good little plate.

Oh yes, love me some seafood and I had to order the grilled calamari. Tender, nice taste from the grill…another winner!

We saw lots of dishes being carried away by the servers and this batter-fried shrimp served on a bed of shrimp chips looked so good. I added this to my order and the shrimp were succulent and sweet, crisp batter and who can fault some more mayo?

Time for dessert and I ordered two. The first one was a Sake Tiramisu ( I just love all the many riffs on this dessert). A little boozy but still delicious with some floral notes in the flavours.

This dessert was even better…roasted green tea cheesecake. It’s a small dessert but oh so good! I could have eaten three of these – a wonderful riff on cheesecake.

Other than some of the Kushi Age fried kebabs being underseaoned, Guu SakaBar delivered and it was refreshing to go in there when it wasn’t packed (yet). The servers and kitchen are almost 100% and I recognized some familair faces from the Church St. location.

Guu has done it again, offering a unique, fun and delicious experience at Guu SakaBar. The next time I go, I’m going to ask to be seating in the area with “no shoes allowed”…more fun waits! Below is a slide show of some of the other dishes being ordered by other patrons and some other cool pics, enjoy!

 

 

 

Guu Sakabar, 595 Bloor St. W. (east of Bathurst St.), 647-343-1101, guu-izakaya.com

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