Restaurants
TOMI-KRO Restaurant
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.
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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?
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!
A great vibe to the place, and the service is top notch....
And, no, it's not cheap but boy is it good - love, love, love the scallops. Drinks (Mojitos, Margheritas and martinis) and wine all excellent.
Love that it's in my hood.
I definitely agree they need to work on customer service; you come in and they ask you if you have a reservation even though the restaurant is empty. The first time the waitress was very slow in attending us, being more into chatting with coworkers than doing her job. The second time the waiter was overly attentive.