Guu Izakaya (Toronto)

During the Christmas break I FINALLY got a chance to try out GUU. The restaurant that sparks talks of insane line-ups due to it's mass popularity. When we actually arrived at the restaurant I had realized that the line-ups were just due to the limited amount of tables and the small restaurant space. They have a nice and small cozy atmosphere, and they probably intend to keep it that way.

The photos in this post were taken by my friend Jason Shum. To check out more of his photography, please visit his blog: http://julytonovember.com/. He’s talented but extremely humble and sweet ~ definitely check him out if you’re interested in photography. He has neat tips/tricks and as well as some great insights for photographer enthusiasts.

At first I was going to do a foodie revew but I then I thought about it and I think I will just leave in-depth reviews up to the real foodies and food-critics ~ what do I know? I just love food :)

I'll just let you drool over these amazing photos. He made the food look better in the photos than they actually looked in-person :p

It was a funny scene actually. Jason had all of his photo equipment at the table and he'd be doing lighting and taking photo meanwhile I'd be fighting off everyone else's chopsticks that were going at the food. It was quite a struggle 'cause everyone was so damn hungry........but noone was allowed to touch them until he got his shots (for me) muahah. 

  

I highly recommend that everybody try this!
It's a pumpkin croquette! Has a hard boiled egg on the interior surrounded by breaded deep fried crust (that's flaky and crispy) and then drizzled with tangy pumpkin sauce. So delish!!! This was hands down my favourite item that we had ordered that night.

  

Another MUST try. Brie Cheese with Mango and Blueberry sauce..... Crispy on the outside, cheesy and moist on he inside ~ just absolutely amazing! 

  
They give you these frozen grapes at the end, I thought that that was pretty different, I like the idea of freezing your grapes ! I am going to do this from now on and snack on them when I study ^__^

The bill wasn't actually that bad, we spent about 45 dollars of this (before taxes) on alcohol, so it wasn't bad ~ but I wasn't entirely full :(

 

Over all I agree with Jason when he says that it’s the atmosphere that they are selling. It feels very unique, welcoming, upbeat, and exclusive. They keep the restaurant franchise small so that everyone can feel included. When you enter, the entire staff enthusiastically turns to you to say hi, and they bid you farewell when you leave too (no matter how many times you walk in and out, it's mandatory for hem to greet you each and every time hahah). I wanted to try to walk in and out until they'd give up ~ I heard that the yelling was intensively part of the training.

I think this is a place to go to hang out, eat, drink, and chat with friends but I wouldn’t recommend going here to fill up your stomach if you are really hungry. It’s also a bit on the pricey side. Prepare to spend 30 – 40 bucks a person to be full and satisfied.

Perhaps since it was many of our first times we weren’t quite sure exactly what to order. Next time I’ll be ordering the pumpkin croquette and brie cheese again for sure. I appreciate the environment and the fact that some of the foods are so different. It’s a another side to Japanese cuisine that I didn’t really know about besides the obviously associated Sushi cuisine.

I’ll definitely come back, perhaps to catch up with a friend over a few drinks and satisfy my craving for tasty snack foods. I am curious to try some of the other things like the sea urchin etc. I will probably go next time with someone who is just as adventurous as I am with trying new foods. Although it's a lot more fun, it is a bit difficult going with a larger group because you have to keep in mind some of the likes/dislikes and allergies etc.

SO IN CONCLUSION: Awesome chill-out place to drink (it's a bar) and snack on yummy delectable, but definitely not a place for a hearty meal that mercies your wallet.

- Val xo