So I can’t believe it either, but we’ve had this site for nearly a year now :D. Sorry we haven’t been updating in the last little while but we assure you that there’s plenty of posts to come! So last weekend we were able to getaway for a bit and enjoyed a night out at Yuzu No Hana. We both share a deep fondness for Yuzu, and it will always be my favourite Japanese restaurant for an omakase meal (we’ve also tried Kaji and Aoyama). In fact, it was here at this restaurant many summers ago that Joseph first introduced me to the concept of omakase itself – basically you let the chef decide what he will make for you that night. The summer omakase will differ from the winter omakase, etc. They normally require 24 hours of advanced notice for this, but owner Chef Bruce Bu was able to graciously accommodate us. Although potentially more expensive than ordering a la carte ($80 per person), omakase is a fun way to eat because you don’t need to decide on anything (because sometimes it’s just nice not to make decisions), plus each dish is a surprise!
Each person gets their own plated portion for each course, so everything you see here is doubled for the both of us.
We started off with oyster shooters. These went down very smoothly with no aftertaste (egg yolk, sea urchin uni, oyster).
Zensai Moriawase – sweet persimmon rolls, pate, winter melon, baked oyster (oyster motoyaki with sweet and tangy mayo).
Usuzukuri: an assortment of fresh sashimi
Karei No Karaage: deep fried flounder. They served the fried fish meat in a fish bowl (creative presentation), with a side of ponzu sauce and deep fried okra :D. Although we found the fish a bit bland, the citrusy soy sauce made up for the difference.
Braised beef cheeks with edible flowers: although red meat isn’t common in Japanese fare, Chef Bruce explained that he added beef to the dinner set in order to assimilate with the North American culture. These beef cheeks were melt-in-your-mouth soft and tender, and for someone who doesn’t particularly favour meat I cleaned up the plate!
An assortment of fresh sushi with perfectly cooked rice.
Seafood and vegetable soup cooked over a tabletop hibachi grill. The soup was kept VERY HOT in a wet thick piece of paper over a flame, and consumed in another bowl (watch out for the steam). The broth was delicious – it was nice and clear, and saturated with shrimp and mushroom flavours.
Lastly for dessert, a green tea tiramisu with a green tea Pocky for garnish :D.
Overall we really like Yuzu because of its food and atmosphere: it has a really laid back vibe that we tend to gravitate towards. It’s also situated in the Entertainment District of Toronto and within walking distance of more fun. So check them out whenever you can, call ahead if possible, and share your experiences with us!
Yuzu No Hana
236 Adelaide St. West
Toronto, ON M5H 1W7
416-205-9808
