TORONTO ― Toronto’s tony Yorkville area is now home to Kasa Moto.
The Japanese restaurant, owned and operated by Toronto’s Chase Hospitality Group, opened last week in the space that previously housed Remy’s, a Yorkville fixture. The new space boasts a vibrant menu of contemporary Japanese cuisine prepared by executive chef Michael Parubocki as well as chefs Daisuke Izutsu and Tsuyoshi Yoshinaga.
The restaurant spreads across three floors, with seating for 150 on the main floor, 180 on the stunning, expansive rooftop patio and 50 on the Moto bar area, which converts into a lounge at night. “The notion of eating light delicious dishes translates into a social experience,” said Steven Salm, president of the Chase Hospitality Group, at the official opening this week. The Japanese restaurant style is conducive to sharing, and Salm predicts it will also feature a “vibrant cocktail scene.” Menu highlights include: edamame with hoisin, garlic and nanami pepper; hamachu ponzu; as well as kinoko salad, featuring enoki, miastake, oyster and shiitake mushrooms, spicy greens and citrus (pictured).
Toronto’s II by IV Design created the Japanese-inspired interiors with elements such as imported Japanese tiles, hand-painted murals, a minimalist colour palette and warm natural finishes such as walnut and oak.
Salm hopes the restaurant will become a go-to destination in the city’s posh neighbourhood. Customers at his other restaurants implored him to do something further north in the city. “This is one of Canada’s best neighbourhoods,” said Salm, adding, “We wanted to do something very impactful.”
Kasa Moto is the fourth restaurant opened by the Chase Hospitality Group in the last two years. The stable includes The Chase, The Chase Fish & Oyster, Colette Grand Café and Little Fin.
