Kitano Shokudo
Authentic Japanese restaurant · Mile End ·
Sashimi, noodles, and sake in a hip, cozy Japanese spot
Sashimi, noodles, and sake in a hip, cozy Japanese spot
"Formerly known as Otto Bistro, this itty-bitty Japanese joint in the Plateau neighborhood has built a devoted following, largely thanks to its mastery of raw fish — sashimi, chirashi, nigiri, and maguro don. But Hiroshi Kitano’s one-man kitchen operation churns out plenty more than just seafood, including duck confit mazeman, uni carbonara, and wild boar mapo tofu. With just a handful of tables and bar seats offering a front-row view of Kitano’s craft, this nondescript Mont-Royal Avenue spot keeps things low-key and intimate. For yoshoku, Japanese takes on Western foods, check out Ohayo Café, Kitano’s latest project just next door. Best for: Impressing a date or treating yourself to a solo feast." - Valerie Silva
"Kitano Shokudo is where you should go for the freshest seafood in town, imported straight from Japan or plucked from the cold waters of Québec. Grab a spot at the counter and you might feel like you’re at a little izakaya in the back streets of Kyoto, rather than in the heart of the Plateau. The one-page menu includes sashimi, nigiri, and a terrific chirashi don, though we’re partial to the duck confit mazemen and Japanese-style mapo tofu with wild boar and a side of homemade pickles. It’s a two-man show—just a chef and a somm—and since there are only 16 seats, you’ll want to book ahead. The folks behind Kitano Shokudo also run the daytime-only Café Ohayo next door, with specialty coffee, noodles, sandos, keema curry, and more." - ivy lerner frank
"Kitano Shokudo is where you should go for the freshest seafood in town, imported straight from Japan or plucked from the cold waters of Québec. Grab a spot at the counter and you might feel like you’re at a little izakaya in the back streets of Kyoto, rather than in the heart of the Plateau. The one-page menu includes sashimi, nigiri, and a terrific chirashi don, though we’re partial to the duck confit mazemen and Japanese-style mapo tofu with wild boar and a side of homemade pickles. It’s a two-man show—just a chef and a somm—and since there are only 16 seats, you’ll want to book ahead. The folks behind Kitano Shokudo also run the daytime-only Café Ohayo next door, with specialty coffee, noodles, sandos, keema curry, and more. photo credit: Two Food Photographers" - Ivy Lerner-Frank
"Formerly known as Otto Bistro, this Japanese bistro in the Plateau neighborhood stands out for its mastery of raw fish (think sashimi, chirashi, nigiri, and maguro don), mazemen (brothless ramen with toppings like duck confit and burrata), and a variety of other finely tuned dishes from chef Hiroshi Kitano. A nondescript Mont-Royal Avenue spot with high tables and bar seating, Kitano Shokudo creates the kind of low-key and intimate atmosphere perfect for a casual date or a solo dining session." - Valerie Silva
"Hiroshi Kitano’s Plateau restaurant for creative Japanese cuisine executes its menu with fine dining precision, but the ambiance and hangover-curing food are just casual enough that you could roll in without having to do your hair or take your hoodie off. Find some comfort in the restaurant’s long list of mazemen, carbonara made with uni, Japanese curries, or burgers made with black tiger shrimp patties." - JP Karwacki, Joel Balsam