The food was amazing. The wait staff was super nice and gave great recommendations. The sake? ???
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Dessert
Matthew Kopysh
Sakai bar is the definition of hidden gem. Easily in the top 10 restaurants in the city, with great value for dollar and a unique overall experience. Excellent food, great sake list, cold beer, friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heidi Fan
Truly hidden gem. Loved every dish, done with detail and tasted amazing. The buckwheat cake was irresistible.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Dessert, Eggplant Agedashi
Jalal Ebrahim
Unfortunately a miss for me. Flavours in general muted, not too impressive. Dishes weren’t balanced:Eggplant was overly sweetKatsu ratios way off, too much meat and missing the tang, the pickled veggies completelyMiso soup was good and desserts were good but for the price point and portion size, overall the dinner is a miss.Service-wise dishes weren’t explained very well. Menu is bare bones which is fine but different servers explained the same dish different ways which was not encouraging. Sharing style so gets a bit messy and no wiping down table, no fresh plates. Would be nice at least every few dishes.Location is cozy, we had a table by the door. Unfortunately quite cold with the door opening often. Nothing you can do about that I suppose, but for me definitely lowered the experience quality.If the dinner was free - would probably eat, go home, never think about it again. It’s not unreasonably expensive but it is in line with downtown Toronto trendy-spot pricing which means you are paying a good amount. For this you can get much better food and experience within a 10 minute walk in just about any direction!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Nicholas Taylor
Ordered the special with high hopes, didn’t hear the price. Hambuga Katsu. Small, deep fried meatball w a sauce arrived. Hugely disappointing. $26 shockingly expensive.The bar is quaint and the aesthetic is nice. Service was good. Can feel/smell the absence of an HVAC when the fryer is on though…..
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
Ellen Li
Warm atmosphere, delicious food, and incredible desserts. Don’t miss the buckwheat cake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Dessert, Miso Soup, Fish Special
Stephen Mak
For a brief period of time, I lived in the restaurant oasis of Dundas West. In one month, I ate here three times. Convivial host, small scale place that feels like Japan. Outstanding collection of Japanese sakes, whiskies but the best part are the bar snacks which can be a meal unto itself.Best. Miso. Ever.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup
Alethea Spiridon
The food is amazing! Service is bizarrely slow but we weren’t in a rush so it’s fine. Friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Dessert, Miso Soup, Charred Cabbage Salad, Pickles
ilana kopolovic
Every dish was unique and memorable. We had them select and course out our entire meal and have no regrets. Got great recommendations for saki. The veggies, tuna, pork were all unbelievable and not something you could expect from anywhere else in the city. Service was friendly and unpretentious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Beef Tartare, Dessert, Fish Special
Lori F
Always love trying out their new menu items, all the ingredients are high quality and the sauces are all so unique. I could probably eat their cabbage forever. They also have a great selection of sake to try and explore!
If you’re going there to try different sakes, sure. If you’re going there with any expectation for the food?. Let’s just say there are better options in the neighborhood.The cabbage salad was… how do I put it gently, horrendous. The seasoning was fine, very subtle, as expected but still disappointing. It was literally the toughest vegetable I’ve ever eaten. Not crunchy, not crispy, TOUGH. It’s just lazy to not cut off the ribs of the cabbage. The whole thing is squeaky and super fibery. Price is high for the flavor it provides, but thats Toronto. The flavor and creativity just don’t live up to the price.We ordered half of the menu and the only thing that’s kinda tasty is the katsu sando. The beef tartare is also okay, very cilantro and onion forward.We went there as a group of 5. Three of my friends got there a bit earlier, they sat them down at a 2 people table and refused to combine the next table while they wait for the rest of us (2 ppl). The waitress insists that they can only combine the table once we arrive. Mind you the place is almost empty at this point. But some other patrons had a combined table with 2 empty seats while they wait for their friends. I don’t understand this difference in treatments.This was an unfortunate experience as we had been recommended it by friends and had seen a lot of positive reviews but sadly this was a disappointment.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Danielle O
Quite good. Price a little high for portions and the quality is very good, but not perfect.Well worth a visit if you're looking for an intimate spot and are ok paying higher prices for a limited menu of small bites.Great booze selection as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Special, Pickles
Stephanie L.
I've been here a few times and have always enjoyed the food and intimate ambiance. Most recent visit was for the reserve-ahead hotpot on the outdoor patio, $50 a person.We were sat in the back patio. Very cute, small intimate space, we're thankful our small dog was allowed to join us! A hotpot setup was already awaiting us! They first began by serving the dashi broth - allowing it to heat up, while we decided on cocktails. Once heated, some beautiful cuts of beef were brought. Ample slices and very good! After, came the vegetable plate and noodles! It was quite filling and we didn't need to order anything additional.Aside from the dessert which doesn't look like much, but was a really delicious buckwheat cake. Not too sweet! Always enjoy my visits here and hope to come back to toronto again for another meal!
Paul
Food here was amazing, of course a bit expensive portion wise for some dishes but thats to experience what they have to offer.Though the simple dishes like the cabbage dish and miso soup were the stars in my opinion. Easily one of the best miso soups ive ever had.Although, they had this seasonal special - smoked tuna collar. Was around $40-50 but it was unreal, so delicious.Ill be back
The food was amazing. The wait staff was super nice and gave great recommendations. The sake? ???
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Dessert
Sakai bar is the definition of hidden gem. Easily in the top 10 restaurants in the city, with great value for dollar and a unique overall experience. Excellent food, great sake list, cold beer, friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Truly hidden gem. Loved every dish, done with detail and tasted amazing. The buckwheat cake was irresistible.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Dessert, Eggplant Agedashi
Unfortunately a miss for me. Flavours in general muted, not too impressive. Dishes weren’t balanced:Eggplant was overly sweetKatsu ratios way off, too much meat and missing the tang, the pickled veggies completelyMiso soup was good and desserts were good but for the price point and portion size, overall the dinner is a miss.Service-wise dishes weren’t explained very well. Menu is bare bones which is fine but different servers explained the same dish different ways which was not encouraging. Sharing style so gets a bit messy and no wiping down table, no fresh plates. Would be nice at least every few dishes.Location is cozy, we had a table by the door. Unfortunately quite cold with the door opening often. Nothing you can do about that I suppose, but for me definitely lowered the experience quality.If the dinner was free - would probably eat, go home, never think about it again. It’s not unreasonably expensive but it is in line with downtown Toronto trendy-spot pricing which means you are paying a good amount. For this you can get much better food and experience within a 10 minute walk in just about any direction!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Ordered the special with high hopes, didn’t hear the price. Hambuga Katsu. Small, deep fried meatball w a sauce arrived. Hugely disappointing. $26 shockingly expensive.The bar is quaint and the aesthetic is nice. Service was good. Can feel/smell the absence of an HVAC when the fryer is on though…..
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
Warm atmosphere, delicious food, and incredible desserts. Don’t miss the buckwheat cake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Dessert, Miso Soup, Fish Special
For a brief period of time, I lived in the restaurant oasis of Dundas West. In one month, I ate here three times. Convivial host, small scale place that feels like Japan. Outstanding collection of Japanese sakes, whiskies but the best part are the bar snacks which can be a meal unto itself.Best. Miso. Ever.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup
The food is amazing! Service is bizarrely slow but we weren’t in a rush so it’s fine. Friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Dessert, Miso Soup, Charred Cabbage Salad, Pickles
Every dish was unique and memorable. We had them select and course out our entire meal and have no regrets. Got great recommendations for saki. The veggies, tuna, pork were all unbelievable and not something you could expect from anywhere else in the city. Service was friendly and unpretentious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brown Butter Buckwheat Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate and Koji Cream, Beef Tartare, Dessert, Fish Special
Always love trying out their new menu items, all the ingredients are high quality and the sauces are all so unique. I could probably eat their cabbage forever. They also have a great selection of sake to try and explore!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
best restaurant ever <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you’re going there to try different sakes, sure. If you’re going there with any expectation for the food?. Let’s just say there are better options in the neighborhood.The cabbage salad was… how do I put it gently, horrendous. The seasoning was fine, very subtle, as expected but still disappointing. It was literally the toughest vegetable I’ve ever eaten. Not crunchy, not crispy, TOUGH. It’s just lazy to not cut off the ribs of the cabbage. The whole thing is squeaky and super fibery. Price is high for the flavor it provides, but thats Toronto. The flavor and creativity just don’t live up to the price.We ordered half of the menu and the only thing that’s kinda tasty is the katsu sando. The beef tartare is also okay, very cilantro and onion forward.We went there as a group of 5. Three of my friends got there a bit earlier, they sat them down at a 2 people table and refused to combine the next table while they wait for the rest of us (2 ppl). The waitress insists that they can only combine the table once we arrive. Mind you the place is almost empty at this point. But some other patrons had a combined table with 2 empty seats while they wait for their friends. I don’t understand this difference in treatments.This was an unfortunate experience as we had been recommended it by friends and had seen a lot of positive reviews but sadly this was a disappointment.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Quite good. Price a little high for portions and the quality is very good, but not perfect.Well worth a visit if you're looking for an intimate spot and are ok paying higher prices for a limited menu of small bites.Great booze selection as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Special, Pickles
I've been here a few times and have always enjoyed the food and intimate ambiance. Most recent visit was for the reserve-ahead hotpot on the outdoor patio, $50 a person.We were sat in the back patio. Very cute, small intimate space, we're thankful our small dog was allowed to join us! A hotpot setup was already awaiting us! They first began by serving the dashi broth - allowing it to heat up, while we decided on cocktails. Once heated, some beautiful cuts of beef were brought. Ample slices and very good! After, came the vegetable plate and noodles! It was quite filling and we didn't need to order anything additional.Aside from the dessert which doesn't look like much, but was a really delicious buckwheat cake. Not too sweet! Always enjoy my visits here and hope to come back to toronto again for another meal!
Food here was amazing, of course a bit expensive portion wise for some dishes but thats to experience what they have to offer.Though the simple dishes like the cabbage dish and miso soup were the stars in my opinion. Easily one of the best miso soups ive ever had.Although, they had this seasonal special - smoked tuna collar. Was around $40-50 but it was unreal, so delicious.Ill be back