Located in the heart of the plateau in Montreal, Kitano Shokudo is a cozy and delightful Japanese restaurant that serves you quality handmade dishes, amazing unique sakes and wines as well remarkable service. This amazing bistro gives you a Japanese experience that you won’t want to miss!
At Chef Hiroshi Kitano’s Plateau restaurant, precise technique meets inventive twists on classic Japanese dishes. Made with top-tier local and Japanese ingredients, the fresh fish donburi and chirashi bowls stand out as some of the city's finest, while dishes like the uni carbonara, which weave in French and Italian influences, leave a lasting impression.
Patrons describe Kitano Shokudo as a tiny, intimate spot with a warm, minimalist vibe where fresh sashimi and carefully executed Japanese dishes take center stage. Standout items include duck mazemen, uni mezemen, chirashi and miso bowls, with sashimi praised for exceptional freshness, though some feel the ramen is overpriced and the broth underwhelming for the price. The two person operation can make service feel uneven or a little distant, even as when staff are present the service is friendly and attentive. Despite this, it is hailed by many as one of the best Japanese spots in Montreal outside Japan, thanks to quality, presentation and a lively atmosphere. Reservations are recommended because the space is tiny, and the overall tone is that the food justifies a visit for those seeking authentic, ingredient driven Japanese cuisine.
I was very excited to come here as they seemed to have a creative menu with rare ingredients such as hotaru ika. Unfortunately the night I dined there, they were not offering anything on the special menu... I ended up getting the maguro futomaki & cheese croquette with ikura at the suggestion of the server. The futomaki was pretty filling & had generous portions of aka & toro. It was good but I felt it was carried more by the freshness of the fish rather than the technique of the chef. I would have also liked for it to not come pre-seasoned with soy sauce & wasabi as I like to adjust those to my own personal preference. The croquette wasn't bad, but was leaning towards a salty profile because of the ikura. It felt more like eating mozzarella cheese sticks to be honest. At the price point, I was expecting to be wowed more. The restaurant was decked out in cool Showa-era decor but something that didn't make me feel too comfortable was how dark it was. I would have preferred dim lighting, but it seemed like the lights weren't even turned on! It gave the interior a really dark look, & not even in the nice moody way. From the outside, it didn't even look like the restaurant was open. Service could also be better. I know it was just one person manning the counter, but it felt like I only got his attention when I asked for it. Sitting at the bar counter alone, I was also expecting more engagement. I've been visiting as many mid/upper-tier Japanese restaurants in Montreal as I can & this one has disappointed me the most so far.
Apr 5, 2024
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Cela faisait longtemps que je voulais découvrir ce restaurant ! Nous y sommes allées à 2 & nous avons bien mangé ! On était assises au bar avec vue sur la cuisine. J'ai pris un hotaru ika mazemen qui était très bon ! Je n'avais jamais vu ni manger de hotaru ika ce fût une excellente surprise. On a aussi pris des sashimi en entrée &... à tomber ! 🫠 Une excellente expérience !
Memorable Japanese experience in a low-key setting, provided by a highly skilled Chef. The quality of the ingredients is top notch. Everything was on-point. Can't wait to try more items on the menu!
Feb 16, 2024
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This is a simple establishment focused on the food where the food has never disappointed. A creative Japanese menu with the highest fish quality. One person cooking, one person serving. The fried foods are perfect, the beer is as it should be--served in frosted glasses--& the sake list is of interest.
All the ingredients are very fresh which makes every bite an incredible experience. Definitely on the more expensive side & a bit of a wait between dishes, but it attests to the detail & care they put into their food. Great service as well. Personally wasn't a huge fan of the eggplant but the rest was top tier. I will definitely be back to relive some of the great bites, & discover new ones.
If I was living closer, this would be my canteen. Fresh, delicious & authentic Japanese food. Don't miss out on the custard pudding. Service is discreet & efficient.
Le Niku, juste le Niku, rien que le Niku! Meilleur repas réconfort de mes semaines, surtout avec le froids! Love it Bon le service, le cadre, & tout le reste sont top aussi... mais le NIKU!!! 🥰
Good sushi is very very difficult to find in Montreal, but this place is definitely the exception. $22 for three prices of high quality toro, now that's unbelievable! Great prices for what they offer, & great service. Can't wait to try the other items on the list
Best Japanese restaurant in town! The menu is ver well curated & all ofthe dishes are absolutely delicious. The quality of fish is perfect & their dishes with sea urchin are the most special. I really recommend this place
We enjoyed our experience here. Food was authentic, fresh & tasty. Service was great. We also enjoyed the atmosphere, though we found the speakers a bit too loud to have a conversation in such a small place. Overall we recommand this place if you're looking for an authentic japanese restaurant !
