Restaurants › Japanese
Ematei
- 30 St. Patrick St. (at Queen St. W.) • View on map »
- 416-340-0472
Ematei offers one of Toronto’s widest ranges of traditional Japanese izakaya (small cooked dishes) in an authentically un-chic room. Friendly, though occasionally sloppy, the service fits the mood. The many Japanese expats dining here complete the picture of an unpretentious local. The extensive menu and specials offer an intoxicating choice of standards, such as grilled miso-marinated black cod or kingfish, agedashi fried tofu and decent tempura. The list of Japanese favourites is long: chicken skin, chicken hearts and soft bones, fried chicken livers, grilled beef and beef tongue salad. All are well cooked—basic and unembellished. Sashimi and sushi are fresh but uninspired; however, the lack of trendy North American sushi rolls is refreshing. Small plates $5–$18, mains $9–$29.
30 St. Patrick St. (at Queen St. W.)
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