Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar, Parkdale’s new Japanese fusion restaurant
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
Following months of anticipation, Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar has finally opened on Parkdale’s most happening block. Taking over a corner lot that once housed a Scotiabank branch, Kanji is the work of young entrepreneur Rob Banton, who is joined by chef James Gao (Nobu, Yuzu). While new restaurants on this block are nothing new—both Chantecler and Grand Electric are within earshot—the Japanese fusion resto-lounge is bringing a slicker vibe to the otherwise rundown hipster block.
Banton, a former consultant and health food chain owner, took a leap of faith on the Queen West space, securing the lease before the arrival of the new wave of Parkdale restaurants. Now, after a year’s worth of renos, the interior has been completely transformed. Emil Teleki of Offcut Studio has outfitted the space in a mix of the old and the new: along one wall, industrial lighting has been matched with swish banquettes and rustic benches; in the main dining area, Edison bulbs hang from hefty ropes, illuminating the simple wooden tables as Lauryn Hill pumps out over the speakers.
The menu is a collaboration between Banton and Gao. “Japanese cuisine pairs amazing skill sets with amazing food,” Banton explains. The fusion part comes into play with the sauces, which Gao has tinged with French and Italian influences. The Crazy Tuna Roll ($13), for example, combines spicy tuna with seared pepper tuna steak, avocado and leeks with a wasabi mayo and cilantro sauce ($13). The Fish ’n’ Chip, meanwhile, features a spicy salmon blend cupped by baked potato chips ($5). When we dropped by, the daily special was a trio of tuna: tataki, tartare, and sashimi ($18) (it was called Tuna, Toona, Twonah, and yes, that’s a nod to Tony! Toni! Toné!). For drinks, there’s Japan-inspired cocktails like the Oyama, featuring Gekkeikan sake, Campari and pear juice ($8), and Japanese and North American beers ($5–$9). The sake list itself currently features only five options, but this being a sake bar, Banton aims to offer about 30; currents picks include Yuki Hotaru “Snow Firefly” sake ($11) and Izumi Nama Nama ($20).
158537 Mantango with vodka, Gekkeikan sake, syrup and fresh lemon juice ($10); Oyama with Gekkeikan sake, Campari and pear juice ($8) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_01/ aug12kanji_01 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158549 Tuna, Toona, Twonah ($18): a daily special with tataki, tartare and sashimi cuts of tuna (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_13/ aug12kanji_13 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158548 Crazy Tuna Roll ($13): spicy, crunchy tuna, seared pepper tuna steak, avocado, fried leeks, wasabi mayo and cilantro sauce (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_12/ aug12kanji_12 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158547 Sashimi salad with assorted fish, hunks of orange and mango and mixed greens, topped with a chili yuzu sauce ($11) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_11/ aug12kanji_11 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158546 Fish ’n’ Chip ($5): spicy salmon and rice seasoning on baked potato chips (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_10/ aug12kanji_10 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158545 Kanji owner Rob Banton (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_09.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_09/ aug12kanji_09 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158544 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_08/ aug12kanji_08 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158543 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_07/ aug12kanji_07 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158542 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_06/ aug12kanji_06 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158541 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_05/ aug12kanji_05 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158539 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_03/ aug12kanji_03 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158538 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_02/ aug12kanji_02 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
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(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
158540 Kanji is on the same block as Grand Electric and Chantecler (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar Introducing: Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12Kanji_04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-kanji/slide/aug12kanji_04/ aug12kanji_04 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
Kanji Sushi and Sake Bar, 1346 Queen St. W., 416-536-8448, kanjitoronto.com, @Kanjitoronto
went to kanji this past friday, we were seated fast, got our drinks within minutes, everything was fantastic. we ordered the “crazy tuna” “golden dragon” and “golden dragon” all were amazing, the saki sour drink from the bar also was good, in essence this restaurant is unique and delicious. my party of 8 loved it and i cant wait to go back