Guu Izakaya Restaurant - Noise level over 9000

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Date visited: August 17, 2013

Time: 8:00 pm

Party Size: 7

Price: $23.51 after tax and tips

Website: http://guu-izakaya.com/toronto

Pictures of food consumed: (Click on images to enlarge)

Gyu Carpaccio: seared beef sashimi w/ ponzu, wasabi, mayo & garlic chips - $6.50

Gindara: grilled black cod w/ saiko miso & white wine sauce - $11.80

Lobster tempura - $14.80

Salmon Tataki: seared BC salmon sashimi w/ ponzu, wasabi, mayo & garlic chips - $6.80

Maguro Tataki: seared BC tuna sashimi w/ ponzu & garlic chips - $7.30

Tontoro Kimchi Itame: panfried pork cheek w/ kimchi & vegetables

Salmon belly carpaccio - $9.80

Hokke: Grilled atka mackerel w/ grated daikon radish

Salmon Natto Yukke: chopped salmon sashimi w/ seven friends (natto, takuan, shibazuke, scallion, cucumber, garlic chips & raw egg yolk) - $8.80

Okonomiyaki: deep fried Japanese pancake w/ squid tonkatsu sauce & karashi mayo - $6.80

Ikapiri: deep fried calamari w/ spicy ketchup & wasabi mayo - $6.50

Takoyaki: deep fried octopus balls w/ tonkatsu sauce & karashi mayo - $5.00

Octopus tempura - $7.80

Karubi: grilled salt & pepper beef short ribs w/ scallion sauce - $6.80

Yakiudon: pan fried udon noodles w/ beef, mushrooms & scallion - $8.50

Gyu tongue: thinly sliced angus beef tongue steak on sizzling plate w/ scallion - $6.50

Review of Restaurant:

• What did I think of the service?

I heard many good things about Guu but the one complaint was the noise level. I didn't understand that as Chinese restaurants tend to be very noisy. As soon as you step foot into the restaurant, all the waiters drop what they are doing and greet you in Japanese. They do this for everyone who comes in and leaves. It got so loud that we had to create a WhatsApp group and chat there. Some group members, who knew sign language, communicated that way. Kidding aside, I felt a sensory overload. My ears were about to bleed.

Despite that, the service was very good despite the noise. The servers excused themselves when they retrieved an empty dish. I expected nothing less from Japanese, where mannerism is taught at a young age, unlike Chinese people....

• How did my sensitive stomach feel?
  

My ears suffered that night instead of my stomach, a small price to pay when I don't have to end up in the washroom all night long. This is surprising since most of the food was either deep fried or raw. 16 dishes for 7 people was not enough. I was probably 2% full by the end of the meal. It's good to have a big group so you can try different dishes, come in groups of 5 since most of the portions are served in that multiple.

City of Toronto Inspection Report

(Click on image to enlarge)

Source: http://www.toronto.ca/health/dinesafe/index.htm?show=detail&id=104804

February 1, 2013 - Store utensils in manner not preventing contamination (Significant)

Not much to mention for this location. However, the one at 559 Bloor St West (Bloor St West / Bathurst St) has a darker history.

Source: http://www.toronto.ca/health/dinesafe/index.htm?show=detail&id=106444

Here are just the SIGNIFICANT AND CRUCIAL infractions:

December 19, 2012 - CONDITIONAL PASS - 4 significant infractions

1. Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated
2. Operator fail to provide separate handwashing sink(s)
3. Operator fail to properly wash multi-use utensils

July 29, 2013 - PASS - 1 significant infraction

1. Fail to provide accurate probe thermometer (This is serious as raw fish is being served)

Before I looked at the second location, I thought it would be funny if the other location had a conditional pass. My gut feeling was correct. I don't think I will come back to either place as it was very noisy. Food was good but I like to look for value in my meals. The value wasn't at Guu Izakaya Restaurant.

VERDICT: If you can stand the noise level, this Izakaya passed the Jer's litmus test.