Bistro Isakaya Montreal

Age-Nasu - Fried Eggplant in Bonito Broth

The Zagat rated Bistro Isakaya is a quiet, delightful little place on Parc avenue. In close proximity to McGill university, students, families and seniors alike frequent the authentic Japanese restaurant. Featuring daily specials based on the freshest ingredients in house, the menu changes a little every time we go. Selling a variety of Asian candies, cookies and novelty knick knacks (sushi erasers) by the front cash, there is a friendly and homey type vibe from the minute you walk in.

We ordered some the home made crab cakes which were hot and crispy on the outside with a creamy texture on the inside and the age-nasu fried eggplant in bonito broth as an alternative to the agedashi tofu we normally order at these kinds of restaurants. The eggplants were good, but the tofu will always be my favorite. I would say go with the tofu if you want to get one of these as an appetizer. For our mains, we had the tuna steak, seared sashimi style as well as the grilled Alaskan black cod served misoyaki style (recommended by our waitress). The tuna steak was perfectly done, firm but soft at the same time, and topped with the sauce… Mm! The cod was perfectly flaky and tasted fresh – you could tell just by the way the fish came apart as you ate away at it with your chopsticks. Finishing off with a red bean and strawberry moji, a ball of black sesame ice cream and a ball of ginger ice cream, the overall experience was relaxing and pleasant. Actually a little more expensive than I would have expected but hey, for the love of food, right?