The designers worked with a classically trained French chef who, having studied food culture in Japan for more than a year, had developed a passion for izakayas (‘nice places’), the ubiquitous informal Japanese bars that serve slightly more substantial tapas-style meals.
The designers worked in collaboration with the classically trained chef to apply a Japanese aesthetic to a Victorian building in Toronto’s historic market, and to create a fun, stylish dining atmosphere that would facilitate fast-food efficiency. The overall atmosphere of the restaurant is serene. Honey tones, punctuated with lacquer red, black and metallic gold, reflect traditional Japanese décor.
Photography by: David Whittaker
