Where: Chotto Matte: 181 Bay Street in Toronto, plus there are locations in London and Miami.
Features Nekkei cuisine (Japanese and Peruvian) with a Robata grill (cooked over open charcoal) and a sushi bar.
I’ve dined at Chotto Matte three times previously so I know the food is good but I wondered if dining would be extremely different during Covid especially since they did not have a patio previously. This has been a difficult time for the restaurant industry (among many others) and to be honest I’m nervous about public interactions. But I am delighted to say that they have created a nice and distanced patio with the same level of great service with the necessary precautions.
Standout Dish: Pato Crujiente con Salsa Peruana – crispy duck, honey orange ponzu, jalapeño.
Taste: It was very difficult to choose one dish but the crispy duck made an impression. Damn, it is good! It’s crisp, juicy and flavourful with a honey orange ponzu sauce. Delightful! My one complaint is I needed more of it. Probably not for sharing next time.
But, I have to mention the sleeper hit on this menu. The Nasu Miso is subtle and incredible. It’s eggplant sauteed with a miso glaze and apricots that gives it a perfect mix of sweet and savoury.
Thoughts: There are many more delicious dishes to choose from that includes sushi/sashimi, tentáculos de pulpo (octopus), pollo picante (spicy chicken), Bacalao Negro Aji Miso (black cod) and some great cocktails you can pair with a fun afternoon or evening on the patio. Plus, they have created that sexy summer vibe that many have been missing so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Nasu Miso – eggplant miso, apricot, puffed soba, sesame seeds 
Bacalao Negro Aji Miso – black cod, yellow chilli miso 
Arroz Chaufa – egg fried rice, spicy soy, sesame, cancha 
Ojo de Costilla – Angus 28 days aged ribeye steak anticucho (10oz) 
Pato Crujiente con Salsa Peruana – crispy duck, honey orange ponzu, jalapeño
