where jess ate

Since opening in 2012, JaBistro (@JaBistro222) has gained quite the loyal following and is often the restaurant of choice when it comes to splurge sushi in the city. We’ve dined here a number of times and it’s always a treat. This time around, we had dinner on their newly renovated rooftop patio and this visit was no exception.

Toronto has quite the love affair with patios and I have to admit, the moment the snow starts melting, I’m already itching to get on the patio. Despite being located in the heart of downtown, I was surprised by how quiet and private JaBistro’s patio felt. All the wood paneling and minimalist décor gave it a very calming atmosphere. It was so great to get away from the hustle and bustle of the streets below.

The patio has a retractable awning, so no need to fear the elements. It actually began to sprinkle a bit during our visit and the staff were quick to pull the awning out so we were able to see it in action.

Located on Richmond street, between Simcoe and Duncan, JaBistro is part of the Kinka family which also owns Kinka Izakaya, Kinton Ramen and Kintori Yakitori. The restaurant offers a modern take on Japanese fine dining fare and while they are most well known for their aburi (seared fish), they also offer a selection of other hot and cold dishes. Here’s a look at some of their delicious offerings:

Sashimi Sampler – chūtoro, Thai sea bream, salmon, wagyu & fried fish

Appetizer platter – Thai sea bream kama (collar), fried calamari, ebi mayo & lobster miso soup

A close up of the sea bream fish head

Sushi – Thai sea bream with yuzu, chūtoro with shiso, lobster, salmon oshizushi, mackerel oshizushi, ebi oshizushi & JaBistroll

A close up of the JaBistroll

Matcha Mousse Cake – served with vanilla ice cream

Like I said, the sashimi and sushi at JaBistro is always a treat! We particularly enjoy the aburi here – the delicate fish is lightly torched which really brings out their flavour. And while this is typically the star of the show, the hot food was also delicious. One of my favourites was the sea bream collar which arrived as an entire fish head. We picked it apart to get every bit of meat out of there – and there was a surprising amount of meat to be found.

Take advantage of the warm summer weather and enjoy a delicious meal on JaBistro’s beautiful rooftop patio!

*This was a complimentary meal. The opinions in the post, as always, are my own.*