Last updated on April 23rd, 2025
Regardless of where I travel around the world, I’m almost never disappointed when it comes to Japanese cuisine. While in Toronto and staying in the financial district, I had the opportunity to enjoy a dinner at the Ki restaurant. When I arrived, I entered an incredibly full bar and dining room. The staff assured me that this was a slow night, but it was hard to believe with so many people!
Our server was very energetic and knowledgeable about what was being served. I started off the meal with an amuse bouche that looked gorgeous. Following shortly after was succulent pork belly on a skewer. You can’t go wrong with pork!
I almost forgot to order tempura, so I called over the waiter to order their jumbo black tiger shrimp. Not only did it look like heaven, it tasted like it as well. Don’t forget the mayo. Of course I had to sample their sashimi to see what kind of quality they were working with. I asked the server to put together an assorted sashimi plate and I must say that the quality was quite nice. It’s not Japan, but still very tasty.
One of my favorite dishes of the evening had to of been the black cod which was marinated and served with salmon roe. It looked stunning and the taste was divine. The fish was so tender that it just fell apart in my mouth. I can’t forget to mention that throughout the meal I enjoyed several different high-quality sakes. The lovely staff even dipped into their personal collection to let me try something truly special, which was an unpasteurized, locally produced sake. Glorious.
Even though I was already stuffed, I had to order a few desserts to satisfy my sweet tooth. My favorite of the three was the mochi. If you didn’t know, mochi is a Japanese rice cake that is very soft and not too sweet. It was served with ice cream and berries.
The restaurant is clearly doing something right with consistently staying so busy. I was truly impressed with the amount of knowledge that the staff had in regards to their food and beverage offerings. Michael Tremblay, who is their sake expert, has traveled to Japan many times to learn an incredible amount about sake production. He is a true professional, and consistently made great food and alcohol pairings throughout the meal. Therefore, if you’re in Toronto, and you’re craving some fantastic Japanese food, I highly recommend that you visit Ki restaurant!
The Nitty Gritty
Taste - 8.1
Value - 8.1
Feng Shui - 9.2
Convenience - 9.2
Service - 9.5
8.8
Lovely!
Hotel
Brookfield Place, 181 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5J 2T3
Phone: +1(416) 308-5888
