Toronto's beloved Japanese izakaya, Imanishi, recently opened its second location at 193 Carlton Street, in the heart of Cabbagetown. Occupying the lower level of Zakkushi, this basement bar replaces the once loved omakase sushi joint, Jugemu.
Similar to its sister restaurant, Imanishi Basement Bar maintains its low-key atmosphere, reminiscent of the refined simplicity of the Japanese lifestyle.
With a limited food menu but an impressive sake list, Imanishi Basement Bar is undeniably more of a bar than a restaurant. Nonetheless, the bar serves up some delicious Japanese home-style tapas, including daily sashimi features from the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, house-made pickles and oden -- a one-pot fish cake stew which you can customize to your liking.
You can expect a variety of fresh ingredients and wonderful umami flavour in all of their dishes. Most notable is their hamachi ceviche marinated in a koji miso sauce.
If you're most intrigued by the extensive selection of sake, keep an eye out for special tastings and pairings with small-batch Toronto sake distributors such as That's Life and Strange Waters.
The bar also features rotating beers from local Toronto breweries. Currently on rotation is Godspeed Brewery's Kemuri, a smoked porter with a rich body featuring notes of roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate; as well as Burdock's Vinus Pera, a cider-beer hybrid aged with riesling and chardonnay skins, with notes of orange pekoe tea, pear and white grape.
Imanishi Basement Bar is open Monday to Saturday from 7pm- 2am, walk-in only.
