Sushi Masaki Saito Shines with Two MICHELIN Stars in Toronto

"As Canada’s first Two MICHELIN Star restaurant, this Yorkville flagship distills Chef Masaki Saito’s renowned Edomae sushi into an experience of precision and restraint: slow cooking, marinating, steaming, and grilling are applied with a “sushi is subtraction, not addition” philosophy to reveal the fish’s natural goodness. Fresh fish come straight from Japan, including a favorite secret‑recipe monkfish liver, with Saito in constant contact with fishermen and the Tokyo fish market—his marine‑biology training informing the way he “talks” to each fish by looking, touching, and smelling. The atmosphere reflects the same reverence, from a bar hewn from a single plank of Hinoki wood from Nara (typically reserved for temples) to a soundtrack of his mother’s enchanting, ethereal Ghibli songs. A demanding, tightly knit team culture—late‑night staff meals followed by lectures, hiring for shared “DNA,” and an insistence on perfection regardless of cost or hours—translates into a palpable sense of togetherness with guests and nights aimed purely at happiness. Fashion‑obsessed, Saito chose this Yorkville site for its proximity to the Louis Vuitton flagship, bringing to Toronto the two‑star rigor he previously honed in New York." - Michael He