Sushi Restaurant Concept

A Unique Vision for An Intimate Japanese Eatery Tucked into a Downtown Heritage Site

Created for a Tokyo-based master sushi chef hoping to open an intimate Toronto outpost, this concept slips a pocket-sized restaurant into a downtown heritage site. Seating just nine, the restaurant would offer an exclusive experience, in a space inspired by the finely balanced flavour and texture profiles of top quality sushi.

Melt-in-your mouth sashimi, delicate pearls of rice, crispy nori – these contrasting elements inspired a nuanced palette of rich and varied textures. Our design is simple and quiet, layering soft, smooth wood, with three-dimensional tile, sleek glass, and rough concrete. Wide-plank oak flooring ties the space to the historic brick building. The hostess station is wrapped in a champagne-coloured metal skin that coordinates with a cluster of wall sconces in organic shapes behind the bar.

While the space features a variety of finishes, the overall look is very minimal, with only the metallic desk, simple wooden chairs and the actual sushi bar. That bar – and the spectacle of the sushi being prepared behind it – is the main focal point, wrapped in corrugated glass panels and topped in pale maple. With the restaurant’s limited seats all surrounding the bar, every guest has a front-row view of the culinary theatre at the heart of this unique experience.