IMADAKE IZAKAYA — Restaurant in Westmount

Imadake Izakaya: A Vibrant Tapestry of Grilled Enchantment

Tucked within a leisurely stroll from the Atwater metro station, Imadake Izakaya beckons as an authentic haven of Japanese gastronomy and the convenience of abundant paid parking in close proximity ensures a seamless journey.

While a series of steps grace the entrance, it's worth noting that the absence of wheelchair accessibility is a limitation that gently underscores the spirited aura within.

As you step across the threshold, a symphony of boisterous patrons enraptured in their culinary indulgence welcomes you. The bustling energy weaves an intoxicating atmosphere that authentically embodies the izakaya experience.

Amidst this lively canvas, the establishment stands as a paragon of efficient staffing. Despite the joyful chaos, the service remains an embodiment of excellence. Our server gracefully navigated the dance of orders, ensuring our dining sojourn flowed seamlessly as we delighted in multiple rounds of exquisite fare.

The journey through flavors was nothing short of poetic. Grilled seafood and meats emerged as orchestrated symphonies of taste, each morsel perfected to achieve the zenith of succulence and flavor. The 1-liter Sapporo beer, cradled in a chilled, thick glass mug, retained its frosty allure—a small detail that speaks volumes about the meticulous care woven into every aspect.

The embrace of warm sake added an exquisite layer of comfort, a delightful elixir that kindled warmth within.

Imadake Izakaya radiates as a luminous star within Montreal's culinary constellation. It isn't just about the culinary offerings—it's an orchestration of ambiance, service, and flavors that elegantly dance together.

Every element of Imadake Izakaya is imbued with distinction, a testament to a commitment to excellence that resonates in every bite and sip. Amidst this orchestration, a reasonable price point underscores the dedication to offering an exceptional experience within easy reach.

In honor of its profound impact on both palate and spirit, Imadake Izakaya is unequivocally deserving of a well-earned five-star rating. As steadfast patrons, we eagerly anticipate the continuation of this enchanting culinary journey, savoring the vivacious experience that awaits with...

I read that this is one of the best izakayas in Montreal but that was not my experience at all. There wasn't anything authentic about the food and there was something off about every dish. It felt like amateur hour in the kitchen.

We ordered a bunch of appetizers and ramen. The "okay" dishes were the shrimp mayo and yukke, though both lacked refinement. The shrimps were big and fried well, but the pieces of nuts were chunky and odd. The yukke was seasoned well but the strands of beef made it look like it had been put through a meat grinder without being cut properly. It was just weird to be eating long, thick stings of beef.

Everything else went downhill from there. The karaage was over fried, dry and not juicy. The okonomiyaki was literally pancake batter with a few tiny pieces of tako - it tasted like a bunch of takoyaki flattened into a pancake shape. The gindara cod was cooked well, but it was such a small piece and the marinade was overly sweet with no other flavour. It felt so homecooked.

The worst offender was the ramen. We waited so long for this that we weren't really hungry anymore. But this has got to be the worst ramen I've eaten in my life. The broth was so thick and heavy that it tasted more like a stew. The noodles were undercooked and tasted like spaghetti. The chashu slices did not taste fresh. Neither of us could eat more than a few bites because it was just so bad!

Honestly, my experience here has scarred me from trying out other Japanese places in Montreal if this is considered one of...

I didn't know what a Sake bomb was before this trip. After trying them, I can indeed concur that they are awesome! It's so cool to slam the table and see all the cups of alcohol slip into each other.

Our waitress the first time around was Ashely and she's the best. She knew I didn't like beer so she gave me a "pikachu" bomb instead which is a fruit juice base but still a sake shot at the top. Less alcohol and tastes a bit better. Ashley was really friendly. She served us quickly and drank a bit with us.

The second time we had jimmy serve us and he was great too! He drank with us, gave us some free shots, the whole works.

I thought that buying food in order to be able to drink was going to be an inconvenience but not that much. You can't order any of the under 5$ stuff but everything above works.

Some options of 5$ meals that you can get to start drinking are: egg rolls with cheese and ham, vegetable dumplings, and ice cream (yes! Ice cream counts).

The food is pretty good. I've had the ramen, chicken skewers, calamari, tempura shrimp, asparagus and bacon skewers, vanilla ice cream, and the vegetable dumplings. The only thing I didn't like was the calamari. They are very rubbery. Don't get those.

Renu is the name of the owner and he's a very funny, likeable, and cool person. He welcomes you with a big smile on his face and makes sure everything is going well with your party.

This place has quickly become one of my favourites and totally...