Tojo’s Restaurant just launched their cocktail hour featuring new libations and a seasonal selection of small bites. This new menu is available Thursday to Saturday from 4 to 6 pm.
Parking here can be a bit tricky during rush hour but there are a few complimentary visitor parking spots in the back.
You can expect a delicious new cocktail list, as Tojo’s has teamed up with award-winning mixologist and Canada’s Top Bartender 2019, Jeff Savage. Tasty libations are arguably best enjoyed with good food, and Chef Hidekazu Tojo has created a new small bites menu, which are updated seasonally to pair with the new cocktail list.
Here is a sneak peak of their cocktail hour.
Tojo’s Pickles
This has a mix of seasonal vegetables. It is light, tart and crunchy. Best paired with the Nitobe Garden Fizz mocktail.
Edamame
This is a very healthy snack that is boiled and lightly tossed in sea salt. It comes in a regular size and a large size. It’s a good item to snack on as you have a drink like the Tokaido 53 cocktail.
Miso Mustard Lotus Root
The lotus root is crunchy and in the middle of the lotus room is the miso mustard, which gives it a slightly spicy taste. The texture and hint of spice works really well. This pairs well with the Japanese Highball.
Citrus and Sea Salt Wings
This dish uses organic chicken and its prepared Tojo-style, which means the the drumsticks are transformed into lollipops and the wings cut in half, so its mess-free. They suggest pairing this with the Japanese High Ball too.
Tojo Maki
This is the most popular item at Tojo’s. This is the pioneer of the modern California Roll using local Dungeness Crab, avocado, spinach and egg rolled inside-out with sesame seeds on top. Give this a try with the Tojo’s Milk Punch cocktail.
Dragon’s Sweet Potatoes
This is a hometown favourite from Kagoshima. These little sweet potato nuggets have a nice texture and is a touch sweet which is nice and enjoyable.
Dashimaki + Caviar
This has a few pieces of Japanese egg omelette and topped with Ikura and tobiko. Very delicious and I love the hints of saltiness as the ikura and tobiko as they pop in your mouth. Yet again, you can pair this with Tojo’s Milk Punch.
Tojo’s Tuna
This is Chef’s signature dish with wild albacore, and a wasabi sesame sauce. It comes in 2 sizes – regular or large depending on how much you’re craving Tojo’s Tuna. The tuna is very fresh and the sauces go well together. You can try this with the Tokaido 53 cocktail.
Seafood Salad
This uses their freshest seasonal seafood and it does change depending on what’s available. I enjoyed all the seafood as there was a good variety to it. The Salaryman cocktail pairs with it.
Cocktails
Tokaido 53
A vibrant martini riff inspired by journeys on the ancient road connecting Kyoto and Edo. Bison Grass Vodka, Kazuki Gin, Herb and Citrus Oil.
Salaryman
A stern cocktail best used to signal the end of the workday. Japanese Whisky Blend, Notes of Matcha and Black Sesame.
Kitsune Gimlet
A bright, fresh cocktail that’s as cunning and playful as it’s mythical namesake Kazuki Gin, Yuzu, and Honey. A well balanced cocktail.
Tojo’s Milk Punch
Eastern flavours and Western techniques meet in this milk punch, named after the Iconoclast himself. This is made with Bank’s 5 Island Rum, Shiso, Sencha, Mint, Lime, and Clarified Milk.
This was my favourite cocktail that we tried. You get aromas of the milk yet the cocktail is clear. I was very very impressed with the different techniques that are used to create this beverage.
Japanese Highball
This is made with Suntory Toki, Bittered Sling Lem-Marrakech Bitters, and Soda. You can really taste the Suntory Toki and the bitters. Not my favourite, but it pairs well with fried food.
Nitobe Garden Fizz
Vibrancy and earthly bounty come together in this drink honouring the beautiful Nitobe Memorial Garden. Seedlip Garden 108, Matcha, Herb, Citrus Oil, and Soda.
This is a mocktail and does not contain any alcohol at all. I like their use of the Seedlip Garden 108 as it gives this drink a herbaceous aroma similar to gin.
Final Thoughts
The cocktail hour is a great way to enjoy the taste of Tojo’s and exceptional cocktails created by Jeff Savage. The prices are reasonable and you can have a good catch with friends or even make new friends here.
Address:
1133 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Website:
https://tojos.com
