Life is Guud again – Guu Izakaya Toronto

Ever since returning from Vancouver for the Christmas holidays, I was suffering from Vancouver Withdrawal Symptom – my appetite was spoiled by 3 weeks of fresh sushi and authentic Japanese izakaya cuisine on the west coast: Hapa Izakaya on Robson (the best experience of my trip), Zakkushi on Denman, overhyped Ebisu at Robson, Take Sushi in Burnaby, surprisingly good Tanuki Sushi while in Langley, and Guu at Gastown from my last visit. No Japanese food in Toronto will ever taste good again. (And of course, I missed my awesome friends too). I thought I was going to have to withhold or find mediocre imitators, then guess what? Guu just opened a location in downtown Toronto.

I believe in miracles.

Caution: image heavy post. I’ve been waiting for 2 weeks for these pics and I’m posting them all up for maximum Guu seduction.

Azure Restaurant, Toronto

I love good food, and what’s better than good food plus a deal?? Every year Toronto has Winterlicious and Summerlicious when higher price range restaurants launch prix fixe menus with three courses for the general public. For 2010 , Winterlicious spanned from Jan 29 to Feb 11 and I try to book lunches as the menu options were mostly identical to dinner but cheaper. But seeing as I was working full time, that leaves only the weekends. I ended up with a lunch reservation at Azure Restaurant & Bar, a part of Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Toronto.

The Anticipation

The restaurant, situated in a sunny lobby, was only half filled (I’m an optimist). My part of 3 were immediately seated in a quiet corner and we helped ourselves to crunchy breadsticks and warm bread. I had to stop my friend from ruining her appetite because she hadn’t had breakfast and was gobbling down bread with butter.