Lovers of Japanese cuisine and those who want to discover it will be delighted by the new brasserie Iru Izakaya, which has just opened on Place Ste-Foy.
I couldn't wait to try this bistro, whose first location opened in 2022 in Brossard on Montreal's south shore, and I wasn't disappointed with either the quality of the food or the decor, which looks good.
As soon as you enter the restaurant you feel transported by the cozy atmosphere. Neon signs are reminiscent of Japanese alleys and are combined with more traditional elements such as wood and lanterns.
Magnificent niche benches, illuminated by delicate blue neon lights in the shape of Japanese characters, are reminiscent of Japanese cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo.
The neon-lit benches create a cocoon of intimacy. Photo Marianne White
The atmosphere is intended to be festive and relaxed, like in the izakayas, these places where Japanese workers relax after a long day at work.
The 150-seat restaurant joins the offering of Japanese brasseries already in downtown Quebec, such as Tora-Ya Ramen, Torii Izakaya and Hono Izakaya.
The goal of the new chain, part of the Grandio group, which notably includes Cage and Restos Plaisirs, is to democratize Japanese food and win new fans of it.
Between classics and new releases
The impressive menu of dishes, including several to share, was created by Frédéric Dufort, a great fan of this cuisine, who notably completed an internship at Benu, a restaurant in San Francisco with three Michelin stars.
There's a nice balance between classics like gyozas, fried chicken karaage or crab cakes and more innovative dishes like taco maki. Here the seaweed leaf replaces the tortilla. It is topped with sticky rice, salmon, tuna or crab tartare and garnished with spicy mayonnaise. Delicious and original!
Taco Maki from Iru Izakaya. Photo provided by IRU Izakaya
“There is a wide choice of dishes, whether you share them or not, which makes it possible to please everyone,” explains the chef, who is also behind the success of the French brasserie Lionel in Montreal.
I enjoyed the selection of raw sashimi fish as well as the fabulous red tuna tataki served with a ponzu sauce and a yuzu gel for freshness.
Bluefin tuna tataki. Photo provided by IRU Izakaya
We can also feel the experienced chef's flair in the great presentation of the plates as well as in the quality of the products and the homemade sauces with real wasabi – which is not the case everywhere.
A selection of sashimi. Photo provided by IRU Izakaya
Lunch and bento menu
Eventually, other more upscale Japanese fish will be added to the menu, as well as slates to highlight them.
“We first want to get to know our customers to see how far they are willing to go,” explains the man who appeared in the fourth season of the show Les Chefs! and which will be included in the next version, which envisages a clash between former participants.
The head chef of Iru Izakaya, Frédéric Dufort. Photo Pascale Vallee
His favorite on the menu? Sable fish marinated in miso and sweetened with mirin.
“I have a regular customer who didn’t eat fish. I let him try the miso cod and he really loved it. “He accepts that all the time now,” he says with a hint of pride.
It's on my list for a future visit, along with the carbonara ramen.
Note that the restaurant is also open for lunch and offers bentos, meals in a box where each item is well divided.
The establishment also offers a wide selection of sake and original cocktails with a Japanese twist, such as the Mojitotokyo.
Open 7 days, lunch and dinner
2450, Boul. Laurier (on Place Ste-Foy, near Baton Rouge)
Two more new features
A new cage
The Grandio Group, which is behind the Japanese brasserie, also opened a brand new branch of La Cage on Place de la Cité last week. The old premises that previously housed La Voie Maltée and Beaugarte have been completely redesigned to satisfy fans of a sporty atmosphere. This new flagship restaurant of the chain has more than 170 seats in a modern decor.
2590, sphere. laurel
A 2e Morso
Fans of Roman pizza can now satisfy their cravings in the upper town, with the opening of a second Morso branch on Rue Saint-Jean. I already told you about this delicious pizza with a thicker and crispier crust when the restaurant arrived in Limoilou last year. You can discover new recipes, including vegan eggplant pizza. The small counter offers around thirty seats.
714, rue Saint-Jean (neighbor of Tutto Gelato)