Don Don Izakaya — Restaurant in Toronto

Had an amazing experience at Don Don! Was my first Izakaya/ Japanese bar and grill place I’ve been to. The menu is pretty straight forward and priced well and is more on the cheaper side for guests depending on how much you order/ want to spend.

I ordered three things which only costed around the $30 price range for my individual cheque while my friends probably had lower bills as well except for two people. That was okay as it was a night out with friends and we wanted to enjoy ourselves and the food. I enjoyed the nightlife atmosphere it provided and the efforts all the staff took to keep up with the crowd as much as possible; as it is a very popular dinner spot due to it being downtown. At times it was a little too loud but I’ve been to sports bars my whole life so I’m used to loud, but if you are someone who wants a more toned down quiet atmosphere, then yeah dinner service here might not be for you.

But if you are going to have a night out with friends to have fun, well first book ahead of time. Second, be prepared for long wait times on food as again it is a highly popular spot which means a lot of kitchen orders being sent. Third if you want to pay the bill you will have to try to stand out to catch a waiter and then wait a long while till your bill is brought. Fourth, you might have to talk loud or yell over each other in order to speak across the table since the atmosphere is very very very lively!

Again if this is not for you then that’s completely understandable, and you can always try what days or hours work better for a quieter, quick service. Just know I went on a Tuesday night for dinner and it was still this very boisterous!

Moving on to the food, my oh my, the food looked incredible. The takoyaki was delicious, soft and crispy, a lot of sauce on top, you get a pickled ginger garnish and the takoyaki was almost the size of a golf ball!

They had ran out of salmon belly that night but I was able to get the salmon shoulder instead, the salmon was moist and tender and perfectly cooked. Just one pet peeve, bones. Now I don’t hate bones to the point of I’ll never eat fish because of it, but it was frustrating to try and eat with bones getting in your mouth. So if you don’t like bones then don’t go for salmon shoulder, even though despite my personal preference, I still loved it.

Three of my friends had ordered the signature ramen, and let me tell you, I was super jealous and wish I had also ordered it as well. The noodles looked so soft yet firm and bouncy too. The broth made my mouth water. I almost cried that I didn’t order it as well.

I had a drink which was the Yuzu Blizzard (non alcoholic) it was lightly sweet and spiked your buds a bit due to the classic nature of the yuzu fruit which I love, but I trying to finish it with a very thin straw was a little bit more than difficult. You also get free water in case you don’t feel like ordering a drink. However, I was impressed by their roster of drinks.

Unfortunately we did have some items missing as it was a busy night and the servers were doing their best to keep up. Still, we had to remind them about a couple dishes missing to which were brought right away after. And trying to flag them down was hard as the staff is trying to be everywhere at once. But over all, I had fun!

The reason I’m giving four stars despite my good time is mostly because of accessibility, the entrance to the building is not really accessible, and I know they have an elevator, but I hope in the future the entrance has a small ramp so disabled patrons (like me) with mobility devices can enjoy the same scenery I enjoyed. Also I think the button to the second floor (where Don Don is located) in the elevator is broken. Someone might want to tell the...

As a seasoned food enthusiast, I recently had the pleasure of dining at Sakura Sushi Bar, a quintessential Japanese restaurant nestled in the heart of the city. From the moment I stepped through the traditional sliding doors, I was transported to a realm of culinary excellence and cultural immersion.

Ambiance: The ambiance of Sakura Sushi Bar is nothing short of enchanting. Soft, ambient lighting combined with minimalist yet elegant decor sets the stage for an intimate dining experience. The traditional Japanese motifs adorning the walls and the soothing melodies of traditional music create an atmosphere of tranquility and authenticity.

Service: Upon being seated, I was greeted by attentive and courteous staff who were eager to guide me through the menu. Their knowledge and passion for Japanese cuisine were evident as they patiently answered my questions and provided insightful recommendations. Throughout the meal, service remained prompt and unobtrusive, adding to the overall dining pleasure.

Food: Now, onto the pièce de résistance – the food. Each dish at Sakura Sushi Bar is a masterpiece, meticulously crafted to tantalize the taste buds and showcase the finest flavors of Japan. From the delicate sashimi platter, featuring impeccably fresh fish sourced from local waters, to the expertly rolled sushi rolls bursting with vibrant ingredients, every bite was a symphony of textures and tastes.

Standout dishes included the signature Sakura Roll, a harmonious blend of creamy avocado, tender crab, and succulent salmon, all enveloped in a perfectly seasoned rice and nori wrapper. The Wagyu Beef Tataki, thinly sliced and delicately seared, melted in the mouth and left a lingering umami sensation.

What truly sets Sakura Sushi Bar apart is their commitment to quality and authenticity. Each ingredient is thoughtfully sourced, and traditional Japanese cooking techniques are honored and celebrated. Whether you’re a seasoned sushi aficionado or a newcomer to Japanese cuisine, Sakura Sushi Bar offers a culinary journey...

2022 August 3★ You can easily miss the entrance from the street, but look up and large signs visible above from the sidewalk can be seen. Walk up the two flights of stairs and you'll come into this Japanese izakaya where the emphasis is on grilled foods and alcoholic beverages. As with the name, don don, the sound of the drums, the atmosphere can get pretty lively once it gets busy and gets later in the night. Go early when they open and all you'll hear are the staff taking to each other or their friends. That's what this place is. A place to hang out, a place to chill and mingle. The food itself is mediocre, good at best, cooked by staff that are in their teens and maybe a main cook who's in their thirties. The wait staff, are mainly the youngest (except maybe the owner) who work part time and chit chat when they can.

5 SKEWER COMBO $14.90 Chicken, beef, zucchini, tomatoes, pork - one of each skewer in teriyaki sauce The sauce was ok but wasn't amazing, should've chosen salted.

BEEF TATAKI $9.90 beef sashimi, green onions, ponzu, grated daikon radish. This was probably the best meal of the night.

MAKIMONO TRIO (18 PCS) $22.80 spicy salmon roll, spicy tuna roll, california roll. Very standard. The fish was ok. Certainly wasn't the freshest.

DONDON-STYLE BUTTER SOY RAMEN $16.50 chasu pork, egg, green onion, bamboo shoot, fish cake, butter, soy sauce based soup, garlic + seaweed on the side This was ok. The butter in the broth added that creaminess.

DEEP FRIED OYSTERS $9.90 5 pieces, Japanese mayo, lemon slice. Might have been just slightly undercooked. Ended up with diarrhea. The food itself wasn't anything special. Breaded oysters. Almost like frozen store bought.

LOTUS ROOT CHIPS $6.60 lotus root, seaweed. This wasn't bad, though some chips were soggy.

Honestly, if your here to drink with friends and mingle, this is the spot for you. It's somewhat hip and got some younger vibes going on. If your looking for authentic Japanese izakaya food, there are better options. Bring cash as they...