. "Nom\u00E9 Izakaya is another new Izakaya () that open up in Toronto a few months ago and I went there back in September (yes I am that behind on my posts) since it was recommended by a friend. Upon entering the place, it was rather empty and I was a bit skeptical with the \"club-wear\" clad waitresses but the good thing is, they all speak English fluently unlike most Japanese Restaurants but at the same time they weren't very knowledgeable of the menu... then I realize that the Chefs are Korean rather than Japanese *more skeptical\n\nNothing special, the usual decor of Japanese Restaurant these days but I have to say, I love the black plates with the wooden tables.\n\nOn the house, a half shll oyster for each of us as an amuse bouche.\n\nNigori Sake $19\n\nPickled Fire Fly Squid $4.30\n~ Hotaru Ika No Okizuke: Pickled fire fly squid with soy sauce.\n~ Not sure what this was when we order it but was giving it a try notherless given it's so cheap. It was very salty and fishy tasting and we both didn't really like this dish, oh well at least we tried. \n\n The Mack-Attack $9.80\n~ Aburi Shime Saba : Lightly seared makarel w/ ground ginger, green onion & soy sauce\n~Ben loves loves makarel, so it's a must try everytime we at a Japanese restaurant. The skin here was really well seared and was very crispy while the makarel was not too sour/tart from the marinate.\n\n Deep Fried Pork Belly $5.50\n~ Deep Fried marinated pork belly w/ seaweed paste\n~ This was a tad plain looking but the pork belly was melt in your mouth with just a thin layer of batter for a great contrast of texture and just a pop of flavor from the seaweed paste.\n\n Korean Style Beef Sashimi $8.70\n~ Thinly Sliced beef sashimi and fresh egg yolk w/ a korean style soy sauce dressing\n~ I love the flavor here especially mixed with the egg yolk and the Korean Pear but hate to say that there was some tendon/vein of the beef which made it chewy at times.\n\n Marinated Black Cod $9.80\n~ Gindara No Yuan Yaki : Black Cod marinated w/ citrus soy sauce\n~This was cook perfectly but I find it too salty which overpowered the cod which had a rather mild taste.\n\n Smoked Pork Feet $9.30\n~ Braised and smoked homemade pork feet\n~We both like this dish, love the smoky flavor and the sauce/glazed here but wish it was cook a bit more to a softer texture which will make it not only tastier but also much easier to eat.\n\n Octo-Wasabi $3.50\n~ Tako Wasabi : Pickled Octopus w/ chopped wasabi stem\n~Didn't like the pickled squid we got, so we decided to order this old favorite at the end and it was made just as we like it w/ extra wasabi (was in fact quite spicy) \n\n Takoyaki $4.80\n~ Deep Fried octopus ball served w/ tonkatsu sauce & mayo\n~Ben was somehow craving for this that night and I have no idea why it says deep fried on the menu since Takoyaki is not deep fried... Anyhow, it's probably cheapest takoyaki I had ever had in a restaurant even thou it wasn't anything special.\n\n Verdict :\n~Service was great but wish the waitresses are more knowledgeable about the menu items.\n ~ Very affordable and conveniently located Uptown"^^ . "2012-11-07T00:00:00"^^ . "3"^^ . "4"^^ . . "2"^^ . . "0"^^ .