In Vancouver, there are a few Michelin-starred restaurants. We decide to go to Kissa tanto, which is within walking distance from our hotel.
It’s a popular restaurant known for its innovative fusion of Italian and Japanese cuisine, offering a surprising and refined dining experience. The name “Kissa Tanto” is inspired by Japanese jazz cafés from the 1960s, where “kissa” means coffeehouse, and “tanto” is an Italian term for “a lot” or “frequent.”
A small door leads to a staircase up to the restaurant. Once we reach the top, it feels like we’ve entered another world – the world of the 1930s. What an incredible ambiance.
We are guided to our table and given the menu. The menu resembles a bar menu, with both the drinks and food listed in the same booklet.
Menu
We start with an octopus salad with parsley and yuzu. I can’t believe what I’m tasting. The octopus is cut into small pieces and then fried. The fish is sprinkled with lemon and served on a bed of radish, red chicory, and there’s a small circle of dipping sauce made from parsley and yuzu. Absolutely delicious.
For the main course, I have tajarin, a delightful pasta dish with mushrooms. The pasta is cooked al dente.
Thomas chooses half a chicken with a shio koji sauce, which is an Asian sauce. The chicken is very tender and perfectly cooked.
The interior features a stylish retro design, reminiscent of a mix between a vintage jazz club and an Italian trattoria. It’s elegant and atmospheric, with soft lighting and a warm, intimate ambiance, making it feel both casual and refined.
