Yasu Toronto

Incredible omakase experience from start to finish. Charming and intimate setting with 12-14 seats. The chefs explain every course diligently and take note of your favourites to provide a catered tasting. Every bite was more impressive than the last, was unfortunately late for an event and had to leave early but they were very understanding and even sped up our final 2 courses to accommodate us. In the future, I will be sure to leave more time, this place deserves it!

December 22, 2024 on Google

Had the Sushi Kaiseki omakase chef’s tasting menu here at Yasu on a Sunday evening. The dining room is intimate and the sushi counter seats 12 people at a time. This was overall a very enjoyable, educational, and cultural experience aside from having tasty, fresh, and filling food. The price is definitely up there and was around $250+ per person particularly if you get drinks and including the 18% gratuity that’s automatically charged by the restaurant. If you want to celebrate a special occasion and have a nice meal, this is a good experience to try out. On the evening we went, almost half of us were celebrating our birthdays the same day. Throughout the evening, the staff and chefs explain each ingredient and course and any special preparations like smoking the fish, where the products are sourced from, etc. The chefs interact with guests and check in to ask if they should adjust the amount of wasabi that they’re putting in or even the amount of rice if you’re starting to get full. The sweet potato ice cream dessert I would say was the least enjoyable course for me just because it seemed straightforward and not as impressive compared to the rest of the courses, and maybe the fish miso soup came short for me because it tasted a bit bland in my opinion.

December 12, 2024 on Google

I came here recently for a celebratory bday dinner back in October. Our group had 12 ppl and we were able to book out the entire sushi bar for a 7:15pm seating (the slots are 5pm, 7:15pm, 9:30pm). First course was kaiseki appetizer which consisted of: uni + roasted scallop shirako (cod sperm sack) tuna tartare w/ seasoned rice & ikura (roe) soy-marinated bonito The presentation was really beautiful and the chef took his time explaining everything to us which I diligently wrote down in my notes on my phone in real time. Ranking-wise I'd go: 1. uni + roasted scallop 2. tuna tartare w/ seasoned rice & ikura 3. shirako 4. soy-marinated bonito The soy-marinated bonito retained a REALLY strong fishiness in flavour. I can see why ppl would like it but it's definitely "unique". The seasonal sushi we had: shima aji (striped jack) amaebi (sweet shrimp) greek sea bass (marinated for 5 hrs in bonito flakes & kelp) akami (lean bluefin tuna) chutoro (medium fatty bluefin tuna) otoro (fatty bluefin tuna belly) nova scotia lobster (w/ young yuzu zest) aji (horse mackerel w/ fresh chive & ginger) kinmedai (golden eye snapper) hokkaido uni (sea urchin) sawara (spanish mackerel live smoked w/ hay) anago (saltwater eel) I think he said the the bluefin tuna was flown in from Mexico but I can't rmbr exactly. The rest of the fish were flown in from Japan. Anyways, my top 5 would have to be: 1. otoro (fatty bluefin tuna belly) 2. sawara (spanish mackerel live smoked w/ hay) 3. hokkaido uni (sea urchin) 4. akami (lean bluefin tuna) 5. anago (saltwater eel) I was NOT expecting the spanish mackerel to rank so high because the chef put the fish in a live fire for a brief 1 min before enveloping the fish in the residual hay smoke afterwards for just 30 secs. That smoke permeated the entire fish and it ended up reminding me of smoked deli meat. Absolutely delicious. The akami was also a sleeper hit. The akami piece I had was SO JUICY it tasted like chutoro! I closed my eyes for every piece and if you had told me this was chutoro I would've believed you. My friends also concurred and were similarly surprised that akami could be so juicy. To round off the meal, we had: fish broth w/ miso tamago (w/ fish meat) pumpkin ice cream My first time trying pumpkin ice cream! It was very subtle in flavour. Service was impeccable of course. The chefs chatted us up all night long and told us where they liked to eat in Japan. A very memorable meal indeed!

November 21, 2024 on Google

Of course it’s expensive. Expect to spend around $450-500 for 2 people (more if you add any extra items or alcohol) But for special occasions I’d say it’s worth it. But you MUST get a bar seat. It’s miles better than the table seat since you get to watch and interact with the chefs. Every single piece of sushi was absolutely delicious. The chefs were very welcoming and happy to chat with us. I’d say it’s on par with any great omakase in Japan as well.

September 23, 2024 on Google

This was my first Omakase experience and it was amazing! Every dish was beautifully crafted and was so flavourful. We also had the sake pairing along with our courses.

September 12, 2024 on Google

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Yasu for an omakase experience, and it was absolutely fantastic! The food was extraordinary, with each course meticulously prepared and presented. The flavors were incredibly fresh and well-balanced, making every bite a delight. The attention to detail in each dish was evident and truly impressive. The chefs at Yasu are masters of their craft, creating a memorable dining experience that stands out. They took the time to explain each dish and the sourcing of ingredients, which added a personal touch to the meal. The ambiance of the restaurant is elegant and serene, perfectly complementing the exquisite food. The service was impeccable, with staff being attentive and knowledgeable without being intrusive. Overall, Yasu provided an exceptional omakase experience that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a top-notch dining experience. I can't wait to return!

July 1, 2024 on Google

A great experience although quite pricey (185 pp). We sat at the bar and could see how the sushi chefs prepared the food, as well as listen to them explain where each item came from. Each sushi piece and the appetizer were good, and the freshness of the fish could be tasted. I'd recommend it for those who haven't tried it yet. I don't think I was wow'd, but had a good time and think it was worth it for the price.

July 1, 2024 on Google

One of a lifetime experience I would say. I love how the chef was so dedicated and exceptionally handled the food. Every dish is seasonal. The best sushi was Sea Eel (not freshwater eel that we usually eat). It's like butter that melts in your mouth. The meal consists of 16 courses. You have the option to add more food but I was stuffed. I even requested to have less rice so I could make it to the end of the course.

June 24, 2024 on Google