Wabora has the look and feel of an upscale Manhattan steakhouse. Decorated dark black and grey, it’s big, flashy, sexy. Add a splash of Thompson Hotel inspired pretentiousness and you get the same old first impression. Looks good but will the food make me want to come back?
First, let’s talk parking. If you can’t swallow the $20 parking charge underground, do yourself a favour and take transit or park on a side street and walk a couple of blocks to the restaurant.
Once inside, Wabora is active! The staff is great, smiling and accommodating. Immense dining room. Why hasn’t this place gotten the same buzz as other sushi joints?
The open kitchen, which takes up almost the entire back wall of the restaurant, doesn’t hold any secrets. You can see and feel the team of Chefs hustling.
The menu itself is straight forward. The ordering process is complicated. It includes pictures of the five dozen sushi rolls available. However, the price list comes on a separate sheet which makes selecting what you want time-consuming; constant cross-checking and confirmation of what’s being ordered truly makes the entire process very laborious. Good thing our waitress is patient.
This place as one of the few Robata grills in Toronto but feeling cocky and in the mood for some kick, I order two of the spiciest sushi items on the list.
Sometimes, I can be a dumbass.
The Crispy Crunch consists of fresh cucumber and avocado, crispy shrimp tempura, crab meat, spicy salmon and topped with sweet and spicy crispy crunch, is a mouthful.
Something’s off here. I pick it apart to see where all of these ingredients are hiding. Save for the crab and the enormous amount of tempura and sauces, the rest of the elements were tough to locate and taste. Too bad because it had potential.
Firecracker kicks my ass. Spicy tuna roll, topped with fresh tuna, shredded crab stick with wasabi and draped with dynamite sauce. Sure, I went into the meal with a craving for spice but I also went into the meal with a craving for fresh seafood, which I’m sure was located somewhere underneath.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t and didn’t taste, enjoy or appreciate it. I should note that no soy was used during the sitting of this meal. There was no need for it. Too many sauces already.
Dessert saved the day. Milk Chocolate Stuffed Spring Roll with a scoop of French Vanilla ice cream covered with tempura flakes was both delicious, decadent and made me want more; unlike its sushi roll cousins.
Keep in mind this place is pricey. Dinner for 2, tax and tip, will cost you about $120. You’ve been warned.
Jim Bamboulis has held several posts over the past 12 years, including National Sportscaster, Food Host and Writer, Talk Show Host, Olympic Researcher and Travel Film-maker.
Born and raised in Toronto, Jim learned early on that the combination of travel and food meant ultimate living. Combining his insatiable creative spirit and desire to document his travels, Jim took his unshakable travel bug and set off to explore. Add the fact that Jim also grew up in a Greek household and he learned that not only does Mom always make the best meals, but as importantly learned the importance of understanding and appreciating the countless beautiful cultures and the integral role food plays in every corner of the World.
In August 2009, Jim founded Travel Mammal, a site that brings together his travels and experiences (both good and terrifying) with the hope that others are inspired to share their own. We are all storytellers, especially when it comes to travel and food. He urges everyone to be inspired, explore and love the world and the people that share it with us. Or in other words, Live to Travel and travel to live!
