Guu’d Morning.

I never actually posted about the time the lovely folks over at Guu invited the Scion Canada Team over for a mid-day Nomikai. Glo, Ste, Dibs and I quickly accepted and found ourselves alone in the cozy wood-decorated venue with a open view of the buzz behind the counter just hours before the line up started (actually the line had already started when we arrive but the doors weren’t open for business, the open at 5pm). Guu is my home away from my Japanese home, bringing back the authentic sights, sounds and ambiance that I’ve only seen in the land of the rising sun. The food is delicious giving comfort food new meaning. It’s also the only place in Toronto that serves up cassis oolong – a cocktail unlike any others made with a blend of cassis liqueur and unsweetened oolong tea.  From the individual bathrooms blasting old school Japanese karaoke tracks to the tiny cube windows that reiterate that you’re not in your typical Japanese Canadian restaurant, it was no surprise that the interior designer was none other than my good friend Bennett Lo of Dialogue 38.

Masaru-san is the head chef and fits the profile of a handsome star of a Japanese drama. He just informed me that the second location of Guu (in what used to be a BK on Bloor/Bathurst) is just about ready to open but is waiting on their liquor license (a key component of an izakaya).

I had a feeling that the izakaya invasion was on the horizon and I’m thrilled to see Toronto doing what it’s always done best, welcoming diversity with open arms and extreme patience while waiting for tables.

If you haven’t been yet then I’d strongly suggest that you give it a try, if only for the experience. I’d also recommend being adventurous with the daily menu offerings and try the natto if you aren’t afraid of fermented soy beans that may remind you of a runny nose. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Photography is by Stephen Ho for Scion Canada Magazine. Click to read the rest of the “Izakaya Invasion” story in Issue 1.

Thanks to Masaru-san and the rest of the Guu family for another lovely meal and making our tummies feel “Guuuuuuud” .