TOMI-KRO Restaurant
1214 Queen Street East
Phone: 416.463.6677
 Profile |
 Map |
After sunset, with candlelight casting interesting shadows in a monochromatic room, and the deep bass of a house dance track playing, Leslieville's TOMI-KRO certainly feels more like a lounge than a resto. Add to the mix arty-looking servers table hopping, and it feels like a night out even though we're here to eat.
Much like the decor, presentation is simple and elegant from small plate to main. We start with octopus ceviche ($12). Pink, slightly chewy slices resembling sushi ginger are drenched in a syrupy concoction along with bits of mango, and squirting cherry tomatoes.
Spunky sides (or tapas depending on one's hunger level) were lovely. Wasabi-flavoured panko potato cake ($6) with a dollop of sour cream was difficult to share.
Brussel sprouts ($6) appeared as slaw, with lively shards of asiago and pancetta that sang with its cruciferous perfume.
Shitake risotto with dashi ($8) was creamy, dense, and rife with umami.
Lobster balls ($11) were clearly the fave of the night, unanimously agreed upon due to a winning play of textures - crisp batter versus warm soft centre - despite its flaws. The featured lobster merely provided a bit of red and brininess, the avocado was a few days from ready, and the rice was overly mushy. Not to mention, the oil-sopped batter cried for a hotter deep-fryer.
Mains varied too. The duck ($23) was perfection - succulent flesh connected by a line of luxuriant fat to an edge of crisp skin. It rested atop custard-like yam mash and a sour cherry sauce. Its flawlessness made the beef tenderloin filet ($24) pale in comparison. The meat was tender, but despite the flavourful sounding accompaniments of gorgonzola, wasabi-infused potato mash, and carmelized onion ), it literally lacked a pinch of salt. Still, it was good enough to finish.
While not quite a dress-to-impress place, the vibe is intimidating enough ($3 for a cola) to warrant wanting to look good in this crowd. For chic cocktails and sensual tapas, Tomi-Kro, is a Saturday night alternative for the maturer palate.
Comments (10)
Consistently very good food and really good wine list. Faves include apps: lobster makie balls and creme brule fois gras, mains: steak and tuna, sides: shaved brussel sprouts with asiago and pancetta. Desserts areworth a look if you still have room. Ambience is good, but music mix could be better at times and can get a bit loud - maybe a bit more Buddha Bar'ish, or at least consistent themes and not such an ecclectic mix - can get a bit in the way of a great meal.
Always wondered about this resto - the review does not really make me want to go. The lobster balls were the fav but writer finds rice mushy and batter soggy? interesting. The chef there is overrated.
Rude service, took forever to get our meal, bread side (pita wedges) brought as an afterthought after main, bussing station in middle of dining room for servers convenience. The worst thing was the number of uncleaned tables with meals of previous customers sitting on them although the restaurant wasn't busy. The servers were too involved in conversation to bus them. Our night out was a bust.
I've been here three times now and everytime it always delivers. It's my wife and I favourite restaurant in the city. The lobster maki balls are incredible, as is the greek salad. Mains, we've tried tuna, duck, scallops, salmon, lamb and all were amazing. I'd highly highly recommend this place.
I think this is one of the city's true gems, great food, excellent wine list . . . and when your finnished at Tomi hop next door to Gio's for an after meal martinni.
i think that place sucks. Everything has soy sauce, wasabi, cheese. I wouldn't call that asian fusion.
I had the octopus ceviche and it was sweet. I asked and they told me they marinate it in mirin sauce. I don't recommend it. The tuna was ok but over priced. My friend had the beef and it was over,he returned it, and they toke 30 min. to bring another one. When we look inside the kitchen( its an open kitchen) to see what was going on with our food we saw the cooks were drinking a lot! In my opinion they didn't know what they were doing and they seemed drunk. ( i noticed the same with the waiters).
What kind of place let the stuff drink like that?
Just had an amazing dining experience. Not only was the space, art , food and music really good, the service made our night exceptional. I would like to thank the 'brothers' lol. Too bad for the ' fuddy-duds' sitting next to us. We'll be back!
Their menu is posted outside - common practice in most major metropolitan cities. If you don't like the ingredients of a menu or don't consider it to be what it says it is, ie: 'Asian Fusion', yer a complete tard for going in.
What were they drinking? did you ask? did you smell it? did you try it? maybe they all received raises that day, perhaps they enjoy their working environment, maybe they were in fact drunk and it's the only way they know how to deal with douchbags like you. The list could go on....
I bet the conversation prior to going in went a little something like this…
You: Hey guys, I know Asian Fusion and this doesn’t look anything like it. Lots of soy, wasabi, cheese - just doesn’t seem right.
Friend: Really? I’m so glad we brought someone like you who’s so well versed in the culinary arts to warn us in advance. Just like this menu on the front of the restaurant did.
You: No problem. Also, those prices are a little steep. So kinda expensive food that isn’t Asian Fusion….hmmmm…..
Friend: Well, it’s either this place or the place next door with the big nose on the front.
You: Well, I know cuisine and you can’t trust any place with a big nose on it. I bet they serve boogers. I gotta hit the toilet, wanna avoid all these warning signs and go for it?
Friend: Lead the way!
'Definitely one of my neighbourhood favourites, and i have tried to introduce many of my friends to it....not a weak spot in the menu's 'line-up'. The evening usually starts with one of their fabulous martini mixes, then progresses through lobster maki balls and the Miami ribs to the scallop carpachio and tuna sashima.
A great vibe to the place, and the service is top notch....
RSS