New Retro is a Japanese basement bar located near Cabbagetown on Carlton near Ontario St. They are managed by Zakkushi where they occupy the space below them. The bar is Japanese retro in a way where everything from the hospitality to the food make you feel welcome. I found out about New Retro on IG and was excited to try the place. They offer small places where everything is meant to be shared with your party. The drink selection is also pretty unique. Reservations are available online but walk ins are also welcomed. I stopped by New Retro on a Thurs evening. I had made reservations prior but there were still space available during our visit (there space for ~20 customers, either at the bar or at a table). The service was great - the staff were accommodating and also made recommendations as well as answered any questions we may have. They stopped by our table numerous times to make sure we were satisfied with everything. They also allowed us to sit and enjoy the space after we were done eating as my friend and I were catching up. At no point in time did we feel rushed at all and the pacing of the food was timed well. Drink wise, my friend ordered a glass of plum wine. I opted for a Japanese white wine (the Grace Koshu). I've never seen or tried a white wine produced in Japan, so it was interesting when staff tried to explain to me what it might taste like. Japanese wines are extremely light bodied that also have some floral notes. Definitely tasted great with all the dishes we ordered. Food wise, we ordered the following items: - Sashimi (10% off on Thurs!) - chef's choice of assorted sashimi. We were lucky enough to get (I believe), snapper, otoro, and uni. - Dashi maki (rolled omelettes, soy sauce, kombu, and bonito dashi stock). - Beef tartare (raw beef tenderloin, salted quail egg yolk, truffle oil, saikyo miso) - Roasted duck (roasted duck confit, balsamic vinegar, garlic teriyaki sauce, duxelle paste, blue cheese sauce) - Kaisen don (assorted sashimi on rice - we got otoro, uni, salmon, ikura and another type of fish as our sashimi). 5 dishes between 2 people was definitely the right amount of food! Overall, the food and fish/seasfood was extremely fresh! The uni and otoro literally melted in your mouth. Definitely recommend getting the sashimi as well as Kaisen don. Both were excellent and the Kaisen don is definitely worth your money (I could have eaten an entire bowl myself!). The dashi maki was a bit disappointing. I've had similar items in Japan before where the taste is slightly sweeter. However, the egg was fluffy and we enjoyed eating it with the bonito dashi stock. The beef tartare was a classic, the beef was tender and the truffle oil and saikyo miso flavours really came through. The roasted duck was good in terms of how the components of the dish worked well together. However, my friend and I had hoped for the duck to be a bit hotter (temperature wise). Otherwise, all the components worked harmoniously together with each bite! Overall, great food, service and vibes! It reminded me of being in a hidden Japanese bar. I especially liked the small details - the lamps in the space were really nice and the service and overall vibe of the place gives off a feeling of feeling welcomed. Would recommend! read more