Introducing: Yakitori Kintori, a skewer-focused snack bar from the owners of Guu and Kinton
Name: Yakitori Kintori
Contact Info: 668 Bloor. St. W., 2nd Fl., 416-551-7588, yakitorikintori.com, @YakitoriKintori
Neighbourhood: Christie Pitts
Owner: James Kim, co-owner of Guu Izakaya, Guu Sakabar, Kinton Ramen and JaBistro
Chef: Wataru Yasui, who learned the art of yakitori at Izakaya Ju in Markham
The Food: A dozen different chicken skewers (including thigh and wing, but also gizzard, liver and heart), which are grilled over traditional binchotan charcoal imported from Japan. (A few beef, pork and veggie skewers are also available.) House-made hot sauces and salts let customers adjust their own seasoning. Other options include sake-infused cheese fondue and a Japanese poutine with soy and ginger.
The Drinks: Wine, draught Sapporo and multiple varieties of sake. There are also fun cocktails blended with Chūhai, a fizzy Japanese drink made with shochu (Japanese vodka).
The Place: Located on the second floor from the new Kinton outlet in Koreatown, Kintori has a similar low-key aesthetic. Customers can watch their skewers being grilled in the large open kitchen.
The Numbers: • 10 chicken skewers, including liver, gizzard, heart and skin • 3 house-made hot sauces • 1 tofu dish, which is prepared tableside • 1 poutine, flavoured with soy sauce, ground chicken and ginger
