Koto | Victoria | 510 Fort Street

[North Shore]

Anyone been to visit the 'new' Koto Restaurant since it re-opened?

[Mike K.]

Is that the one on lower Fort?

[Baro]

I just went, it's nothing like the old restaurant. New owner, new menu, new staff, new prices.

Plus: it looks really fancy now, no dated 80's decor or decaying bathrooms.

Cons: None of the unique charm, slightly pretentious, high prices, average sushi like you'd find anywhere. The old owner apparently still works here but they have her locked away in the kitchen rather than allowing her front and centre at the sushi bar where she belongs. Not sure this place is going to bring any of its old regulars back, but I get a strong impression they don't want us back. They seem to be shooting for wealthy tourists and trendy yuppies.

The two reasons people came here were the unique and amazing sushi, and the unique and amazing owner. Without either I don't really have any interest going here. I was so addicted to the food here no other sushi will do, this was actually the first I had since they closed. It was perfectly serviceable sushi, but nothing like "koto sushi". They also went from 100% japanese staff to 0%. So.. they're pretty much like every other place in town, nothing unique, nothing special.

If they let the old owner out of the dungeon to make the sushi I'll gladly pay their prices. No idea why she's been hidden away and barred from the bar. They could have their very loyal regulars AND the yuppies, win win.

[Mike K.]

The two reasons people came here were the unique and amazing sushi, and the unique and amazing owner.

I never tried the owner but the sushi at this place I thought was mediocre compared to offerings elsewhere. I went twice and gave up, and both times the place was completely void of patrons while other sushi places were teeming.

[Baro]

Well maybe you'll like the new place then. I don't know what it was exactly, but I've never found bigger meatier sushi anywhere. All other sushi seems small and bland and over-priced in comparison. Not sure I'll eat sushi ever again

[R0ark]

Originally Posted by Baro

I just went, it's nothing like the old restaurant. New owner, new menu, new staff, new prices.

Plus: it looks really fancy now, no dated 80's decor or decaying bathrooms.

Cons: None of the unique charm, slightly pretentious, high prices, average sushi like you'd find anywhere. The old owner apparently still works here but they have her locked away in the kitchen rather than allowing her front and centre at the sushi bar where she belongs. Not sure this place is going to bring any of its old regulars back, but I get a strong impression they don't want us back. They seem to be shooting for wealthy tourists and trendy yuppies.

The two reasons people came here were the unique and amazing sushi, and the unique and amazing owner. Without either I don't really have any interest going here. I was so addicted to the food here no other sushi will do, this was actually the first I had since they closed. It was perfectly serviceable sushi, but nothing like "koto sushi". They also went from 100% japanese staff to 0%. So.. they're pretty much like every other place in town, nothing unique, nothing special.

If they let the old owner out of the dungeon to make the sushi I'll gladly pay their prices. No idea why she's been hidden away and barred from the bar. They could have their very loyal regulars AND the yuppies, win win.

I suspect it was bought and renovated with an eye to being the default Sushi restaurant for the Microsoft games studio across the road, in addition to being in a great spot for tourists. I haven't tried the food, but the decor refresh is certainly an improvement.

[Ken Johnson]

Just went back for the first time since reopening and will not be going back again unless they let Hideko out of the kitchen. I miss her charm and her wonderful "surprise" sushi. The redecorating is nice but the booth lighting is very dark and I had to squint to read the menu. The staff was not personable at all, which was part of the charm of the place. It was a place where you got to know all the regulars and felt comfortable going alone because you would always meet someone you met before. If no one else was there you had the pleasure of Hideko's company. Now it is just an unwelcoming corporate entity. I have found somewhere else to spend my year round dollars. Let's see if they can survive on tourist dollars only.

[Baro]

Where have you found? I haven't found anywhere close to the quality of Koto sushi yet. I certainly won't be eating sushi multiple times a week like I used to, so I'm interested in what an ex-koto regular recommends.

[North Shore]

Hmm, this is distressing. My wife is an ex-staff member there, and she had told me that things had 'changed' - information gleaned from Hideko herself. It's sad to get confirmation of those changes from other observers, too.
Dang, I have a lot of happy memories associated with that place.
Still, to be fair, I guess that I'll have to go and see for myself..

Thanks for your input, guys.

[Mike K.]

Koto was under financial duress for a long time before the new partnership, wasn't it? If a restaurateur makes the decision to engage in a partnership as a means of saving the restaurant then change is inevitable.

The only other alternative was for Koto to shut its doors.

[Baro]

It's a whole new restaurant. It just has the same name and serves japanese food but that's where the similarities end.

[dirtydeeds]

Originally Posted by Baro

Where have you found? I haven't found anywhere close to the quality of Koto sushi yet. I certainly won't be eating sushi multiple times a week like I used to, so I'm interested in what an ex-koto regular recommends.

I have always enjoyed Ebizo?

[Mike K.]

Originally Posted by Baro

It's a whole new restaurant. It just has the same name and serves japanese food but that's where the similarities end.

Would you have any more info as to how this partnership came about?

[Baro]

There's no partnership, someone else just bought the name and physical space, everything else was gutted.

[Holden West]

Originally Posted by Mike K.

Koto was under financial duress for a long time before the new partnership, wasn't it? If a restaurateur makes the decision to engage in a partnership as a means of saving the restaurant then change is inevitable.

The only other alternative was for Koto to shut its doors.

Yes, Koto was poorly managed for many years. The new owner that rescued it is from Futaba on Quadra. Koto had great sushi and I hope the new Koto is successful.

[Mike K.]

Ah, gotcha. And they kept on the previous owner as an employee with no ownership stake in the place?

[North Shore]

I think that there is some sort of transition phase; passing along of goodwill etc..

[Baro]

I wouldn't say there's any of that.

[Holden West]

Originally Posted by Baro

Obviously there's nothing genetic about rolling rice around fish, but there's some cultural elements in the service that is lacking from most places in town, specially with Koto gone.

You keep going on and on about Koto being gone but it has reopened after a much-needed renovation. You know this so tell the truth. I've tried the food and it is good.

[North Shore]

Well, after a long break, the Shore family finally made the trip downtown to test-drive the new Koto. As we had a great rapport with the past ownership, Mrs Shore having worked there for several years in the '90's, I was quite prepared to be underwhelmed.

Not so.

The decor was, while not exactly my style, a great improvement on the previous incarnation - nice to see some new carpet and upgraded washrooms...

Food-wise, we had our 'usual': karaage and a few pieces of nigiri for the Shore-lets; rolls for Mrs Shore and me... California rolls, while not quite Hideko-style, were still good, and the negitoro was pretty much sushi-bar standard. The Nasu steak was a disappointment - tasted as if they'd ?deep fried? it - I could taste the cooking oil - yecch! They took my complaint gracefully, and gave us the dish for free. That being said, I forgot to order it with our main order, and so they may have put a rush on it, so that it arrived while we were still eating...
Two complimentary kids drinks appeared for free (ginger ale + cranberry juice) just after our appetisers appeared
Four carved orange/cantaloupe desserts appeared unbidden - much better than having to wade through a dessert menu!

Service was attentive, but they insisted on clearing plates as we went along, which got a little irritating after a while.

Including 2 drinks for the Mrs., the total was $95, tip included.

We'll go back.

[Sparky]

^ Your posts are delightful NS.