Headed to Guu SakaBar on Boxing Day at Bloor and Bathurst. The location use to be home to Burger King. Its 1 of 2 locations in Toronto. I had no warning on how this place operates.
I arrive to meet some friends only to enter to cheers from all the staff. Alittle caught off guard my first thought was is this a Japanese Licks? The place is packed and buzzing with conversation.
I locate my friends and walk to their table which is sunk into the floor. Quite unique. I've already failed the Japanese culture as my friends tell me I was supposed to take my shoes off at the door. Are you kidding me? I look down at their feet. OUCH. Had I just broken some sacred rule? Remove my shoes quickly and return them to the front of the restaurant.
The uncomfortable feeling goes away as I am served a double pint of Saporro Beer in a giant stein. I had checked out the online menu before I went so I was aware that this would be a night of trying new things. It ended up being just like a Japanese Dim Sum. We ordered a number of dishes to share between the 4 of us. Firsts for me were Octopus and Oysters which I have managed to stay away from up to this point in my life.
Service was fast and attentive. Beer was cheap. Food was slightly above average.
The restuarant had a neat promotional gimmick which had us filling out New Year's postcards which they would then mail out for us to a close friend. Mom and Dad ended up getting the postcard. Who else's address do I know?
Anyway, definately worth checking out if you want to try something completely unique and different.