Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto Restaurant

I didn't want to leave a bad review, but I find it absurd. I gave them $935 in cash, at least $900, but they wrote $855 in cash and then charged me an additional $44 for my credit card. Also, I initially asked for a half-wine pairing, and the waiter changed it to a full pairing himself. And even plain water costs $7.

（let me explain. I threw cash directly at the waiter and had him count it because I was drunk. But before I went to Toronto, I counted it and it was $935, at least $900, including before I gave it to the waiter. $855 is absolutely impossible. Is it respectful to treat a drunk customer？ Especially a drunk young woman dining alone, demanding half-wine pairings and then insisting on full pairings. Yes I'm a millionaire, but a customer's life is more important than paying for drinks. I drank 10 drinks, which was already overserved by the restaurant. I even told Kei I had a flight back to Montreal in the early morning(Actually I didn't juge Kei, but it's ridiculous, This is a restaurant, not a place for flirting or anything private.)

This negative review isn't about the money; it's because I'm a finance people and extremely controlling. I don't like it when I clearly gave 900+ CAD and someone says I gave 855 that's impossible. If I gave 855, I'll change my lastname to Hashimoto. My Instagram is:aeiocus. You're welcome anyway

I saw your reply, Kei. You know I'm not short of money and I don't need a refund. But I still want to clarify the cash issue. I'm a future student at ITHQ and a fine dining chef. I wouldn't risk my face and name to wrong you over $80. I've made my Instagram account public and have photos with my favorite chef, Jerome Ferrer. I can't possibly wrong you about the cash amount; I hope you understand. I can only say that $855 is impossible. I don't know what you've been through, but I'm a millionaire, and I wouldn't gamble my future for $80. And regarding the $7 water issue, I'm not saying water is expensive, but you could include it in the menu instead of showing it to customers; it would make it seem very cheap. Kei, I wouldn't be writing this review if you didn't have a problem. I'm a shareholder of Baiyin Nonferrous Group, as are my parents. I have no reason to risk my family's reputation by playing games with you for $80.

We celebrated my husband’s birthday at Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto, and every course felt like a work of art. This autumn dish especially left us speechless — a breathtaking presentation of seasonal flavors that looked too beautiful to eat. Each bite captured the essence of fall in Japan.

The evening was made even more special by the warm and graceful service from Kei-san and Mao-san, who made us feel truly cared for. An unforgettable dining experience — elegant, heartfelt, and deeply memorable. 🍁🍶🎂

A beautiful and exquisite dining experience. We learned a lot about Kaiseki and different sakes. Our sommelier Kei was wonderful. The dishes are presented delicately and there are many subtle flavours. We also did a sake pairing. Definitely get the tea too. Favourites included the grilled fish, wagyu beef, and the many vegetables. All the broths had a subtle flavour and complemented the dish. The atmosphere felt as if we had been transported to Japan. Lastly the desert was very unique compared to other Michelin establishments. It’s light and sweet the melon is a perfect way to end the meal.

Came here on our anniversary and I must say, it is one of the most pleasant, peaceful and relaxing experiences that I ever had at a restaurant. The atmosphere gives a zen and calming vibe. We were seated in a cozy room with tatami flooring with beautiful traditional Japanese decor.

In terms of food, great balance of strong and light flavours all around. The portion size is hara hachi bu (腹八分目), a term that means you’ll be 80% full and feel satisfied without over eating and being mindful of your portion. It was perfect amount.

The food and menu was carefully curated with a lot of attention to detail. The artistic visuals of the dishes awed me. The taste reminds me of home but there’s just something special and extra in them that makes each dish unique.

The service was 10/10, the waiter and waitress were very polite, kind and friendly to us. They described the dishes very well and explained what is in the dish. They also advised us what to eat first and where to start which is something I appreciate. They sent me an email right after the dinner that included high quality pictures of us at the restaurant. It also had the actual food we’ve eaten with a thank you note which was a plus.

Overall, I’ve been to a Kaiseki in Kyoto before called “Kikunoi Honten” and it’s very comparable. You can get a similar experience here without having to fly all the way to Japan. I’m glad there’s a restaurant here in Toronto like this. Highly highly recommend if you want a Kaiseki experience.

The environment is excellent—although the space is tiny with only three tables, it’s one of the rare spots in Toronto offering private dining for small groups (2–4 people). The decor is refined and thoughtfully arranged—small but complete in every detail.

The service is absolutely top-notch. From the initial reservation to the actual dining experience, every detail was handled with care and professionalism.

As for the food, it’s undoubtedly a visual feast, beautifully presented with high-quality ingredients. The flavors are on the lighter side—perhaps true to the essence of kaiseki cuisine. While it may not be particularly bold or striking in taste, that subtlety might be exactly what it’s meant to be.

Overall, it was a very pleasant dining experience. Thank you to the team for putting so much heart into it！