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| - The Southwest corner at Mcgill and Yonge has been a hot spot for restaurants to set up shop, hoping to squeeze dollars from students empty pockets, last for a few months and inevitably fold. I witnessed the turn overs consistently, since the struggling real estate was en route home after classes. All that changed when Guu came along and built their fortress of Izakaya! In business for over a year and still going strong, Guu has left its neighbour, Mehran Restaurant wondering...WTF...What do they have that I dont...Oh Mehran, you have so much to learn.
FIRST: Guu has brought a niche experience of dining to Torontonians that has never been seen before. The best part about it - they're not trying to be an Izakaya, they are one! Countless Izakaya's have opened up across Toronto trying to leech off of the success of Guu. None of them have the aura and attitude Guu radiates.
SECOND: Guu is as authentic as it gets for Japanese tapas bars. The owners are Japanese, the Chefs and Cooks are Japanese. The ingredients are traditional Japanese favorites found in Japanese bars.
THIRD: Service is exceptional. I love going to restaurants where I feel like I'm apart of the action/excitement. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted in Japanese by the entirety of the staff and some of the diners who join in. Guu makes you feel like you're apart of the family and this is a pivotal factor in their success. Oh, and they give you a fresh hot towel before you start your meal. Yes, I'm a sucker for a hot towel.
FOURTH: The food is unique and delicious. I love the Spinach dish in the appetizers, the salmon sashimi, the miso cod and a few items off the specials menu. I've been twice now and for the most part been impressed by the food but I've found a few dishes to be a miss for me.
FIFTH: They haven't changed anything since they've started. They understand their customers and know how to deliver the experience every person walking in expects. They haven't sold out to success and I love them for that!
SOME TIPS:
* Be adventurous. If you see something on the menu you typically wouldn't order, order it.
* Go hungry and with a friend who also is adventurous. You want to try at least 5 dishes between the two of you.
* I know you can't be picky about seating but if a seat is open at the bar, snatch it. It's so much fun to watch the electricity in the kitchen. PLUS the chef is an ultimate hottie.
* Get there really early (5:30) or really late (9:30). Those are the only two times I've gotten in without waiting for more than 10 minutes. If you can't make that happen, they'll take your name and call you when your seat is available.
I would never have thought that any restaurant could have as much success as Guu has had at Mcgill and Yonge. Cheap rent and never without a line. I don't know if it's just dumb luck or they knew all along.
You have to try Guu, at least once in your lifetime. It's an experience!
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