. "0"^^ . . "1"^^ . "4"^^ . "2011-06-28T00:00:00"^^ . "0"^^ . "I was pleasantly surprised when I went to Ki today for a business lunch. From the other Yelp reviews, I was expecting a place that reeked of whiskey and testosterone -- but I'm pleased to report that it, indeed, did not smell. \n\nThe food was good -- there was a bit of a wait, but it wasn't extraordinary for noon at a classy downtown place. The decor was nice, and the atmosphere was relaxed but businessy, perfectly suited for conversation and placid digestion. Our server was very nice and prompt.\n\nI ordered the ki beef maki and the tempura butterfish, and both were really fantastic. The butterfish was particularly melt-in-your-mouth wonderful, and it was delicately fried in a crisp but light tempura batter. With some prodding, I ordered the chocolate truffle \"cake\" with Gran Marnier sauce -- while it was delicious and quite filling (orange and chocolate is definitely my favourite confectionary combination), it should really be described as a torte, as it's almost entirely a thick ganache. Don't order it and expect lava cake, which is what it sounds like.\n\nKi loses a star for two reasons: one, the relatively high price (a light lunch with small portions for 6 came to $250 plus tip), and two, the edamame. The executive who took us out ordered the spicy edamame for the table, which was pretty underwhelming -- not particularly well-salted or flavourful, but still good to snack on. It was also a bit less than crisp, and rapidly turned into a green, unbreakable leather as soon as it cooled off. \n\nI obviously didn't experience Ki in its late-evening hot-mess time, but the belt-loosening, sushi-stuffing experience I had there was very positive. Consider it the next time your boss buys you lunch."^^ . .