🇨🇦 Toronto's Underground Izakaya Where the Chef Plays Along
You know you've found a real hidden gem when: The menu is just one-and-a-half pages The chef happily cooks off-menu requests like a culinary genie You leave plotting what absurd dish to request next time 📍 New Retro Basement Bar 193 Carlton St. B1, Toronto How It Went Down: Sat down, glanced at the minimalist menu, then decided to test the limits: 🍙 "Hey... any chance of onigiri? Not on the menu but..." 👨🍳 "Sure. Mentaiko or shiso?" 🍵 "Been craving ochazuke..." 👨🍳 "Pick your topping – umeboshi?" 🍝 "Carb emergency! Can you whip up yakisoba?" 👨🍳 "Say no more." 🍜 "Sweltering out... maybe hiyashi chuka noodles?" 👨🍳 "Let me Google a recipe real quick." (Actual legend) 🍣 "Fresh fish? Donburi possible?" 👨🍳 "Want it portioned for sharing?" The Magic: This basement izakaya’s ever-evolving secret menu now includes: Custom onigiri (the mentaiko one? Chef’s kiss) Improvised ochazuke with house-pickled plums Midnight-worthy yakisoba (extra cabbage, please) "Let me learn this" hiyashi chuka (made with actual care) Omakase-level donburi when they score good fish Next-Level Move: Regulars have started bringing their own ingredients – like bell peppers and sausages for Napolitan pasta. Zero complaints from the kitchen. Vibe Check: Dim lighting, vinyl booths, Blade Runner-meets-dive-bar energy Chef’s counter seats = best for culinary mischief Playful jazz-funk playlist (no generic city-pop here) 💰 Damage: ~$50-70pp (depends how wild your requests get) Final Verdict: ✅ Go for: Late-night eats, chef’s whim adventures, authentic izakaya flexibility ❌ Skip if: You need QR code menus and rigid recipes 🌟 Pro tip: Bring a challenge ingredient – the chef low-key enjoys these puzzles #TokyoUnderground #TorontoIzakaya #HiddenGemTO #JapaneseFood #ChefsTable #OffMenuMagic
