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| - Le Cafe Michi is small and quaint like most eateries you would find in Japan proper. Le Cafe Michi is a diamond in the rough. The rough being an unadorned, bland white plaza in the middle of Scarborough. The numbering is pretty weird on Pharmacy Avenue and I actually drove past it a few times before I finally found it.
I panicked momentarily when I walked in and almost every single table out front had a RESERVED sign on it. It may be located in a most humble and hidden location, but demand can rival any restaurant located in prime real estate locations downtown.
The restaurant itself is not big. I would say that maximum capacity is no more than 35. As you walk through the door you will see the cake display and random knick knacks (key chains and jewelery?) for sale at the counter.
It isn't your typical Japanese restaurant run by Chinese people. And although the word "authentic" is thrown around so much it'll make your eyes glaze over - Le Cafe Michi is just that.
As I entered the restaurant on this particular Saturday, eagerly anticipating my meal I felt a flush of panic. Almost every single table had a reserved sign on it. I start praying to the upper powers that there is still room and magically my prayers are heard.
As I'm being led to my seat I catch a quick glimpse of the cake display, because you come to just as much for the cake as you do for the actual sushi - or so I'm told. I can't help but feel puzzled as I see random Japanese knick knacks (jewelry and key chains for sale on top of the counter).
The decor is minimalist, but I am lucky enough to nab a seat by the sushi bar, where Toshi-San works his magic.
I carefully scan the menu and notice that the Omakase rings in at $50, but that you need to call in advance. Omakase, literally meaning "I'll leave it to you" is a tasting menu in which the chef presents you with a series of dishes from lightest to heaviest. [1] Depending on the venue, this can be quite a spectacle to watch.
The salad is pretty average but the Miso soup was definitely memorable. It had a really concentrated flavour to it and you could taste the distinct soy flavour in the soup, even if it was just a tad bit salty!
I tuck that thought into the back of my mind and focus on what I can order. We end up opting for a set lunch of Sashimi served with rice, starter salad, beverage (coffee/tea) and dessert. We also order Katsu Chicken Curry that is accompanied by rice. Unlike most Japanese restaurants in Toronto, you have to pay for the tea at Le Cafe Michi.
I can harp about how the Sashimi was fresh, but there's not much else you can say about raw fish and Toronto is definitely not home to the freshest catches either. One really only needs knife skills - and most sushi chefs are experienced enough to serve up the right thickness of sliced fish. My only compliment can be that the wasabi "relish" with scallions was delicious.
The Katsu Chicken curry was creamy and thick. The chicken is battered and deep fried. The chicken was perfectly battered and crispy on the outside. The chicken was quite tender. For me, the selling point of this dish was the rice. The texture of it was different than your average plain bowl of white rice, and soaked up the curry beautifully. The base of the sauce is made with curry powder and thickened with a roux. It should be noted that Japanese curries are unlike Indian curries in that they are quite mild. While it is regarded as a Western dish (since the introduction of curry to Japan was via English cuisine), it is now regarded as a national dish due to its popularity. [2]
The Green Teacake was what I was most excited about as several friends had dined here and highly recommended it. Asian desserts tend to be less "heavy" and less sweet compared to its Western counterparts. Mousse cake are most popular because they are regarded as light and airy. The cake was layered with green-tea infused sponge cake and mousse with a red bean filling and definitely lived up to its hype. The sponge cake was light as a feather, and the red bean gave it just the right amount of sweetness.
Verdict:
Those of you who are used to stuffing yourselves silly at AYCE Japanese buffets for $25 will find Le Cafe Michi to be on the expensive side. Mains range from $15-$35, but you come here for quality as opposed to quantity.
It is a relaxing place to go to slowly sip back a cup of green tea while savouring the flavours of the items that are placed in front of you. The servers are quick to refill your coffee/tea and work quickly and efficiently.
I will definitely be back to try the Omakase - as the price is quite reasonable compared to the likes of Sushi Kaji ($100-$120 for their tasting menu).
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[1] Wikipedia
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