If Japanese is what you guys desire, I can suggest some other ones with more space. Or we could do Korean barbecue. Mmmmm… Korean barbe- Oh, where was I? Yes, Korean barbecue, except that’s not so good for vegetarians.
Suggestions are welcome! I’m fairly certain that Daily Sushi is not the best Japanese restaurant in town…
Well, it’s true that there are better sushi restaurants in Toronto, but: a) I don’t think Kagi Sushi is in our price range for a Dopefest, and b) I’m not all that crazy about sushi to begin with. 
If you want Japanese, there’s Emetai on St. Patrick (just north of Queen St. West), which is a reasonably authentic izakaya (Japanese pub). There’s a slightly less authentic tabehodai (all-you-can-eat, including sushi) on Baldwin, which is probably quite a bit cheaper. IIRC, there’s also a gyoza (Japanese-style Chinese steamed & fried dumplings) place on Baldwin, but I haven’t been there since my friend’s friends sold the place.
I’ve heard good things about Sakura on Danforth, including from a friend who’s a Japanese chef. There’s also a very authentic restaurant on Queen East, east of the Beaches, but it’s probably too small to consider for a Dopefest.
I’ve heard good things about Sakura too, and I’ve never seen them so busy that they wouldn’t be able to accomodate a group.
But then again… mmmmmmm… Korean BBQ. drooooools
And there’s that Japanese restaurant on Queens Quay east of Bathurst where some friends took me once. Don’t know whether it’s still there though.
Cerowyn, what’s a Japanese pub like?
:: rereads thread ::
How can you go east of the Beaches on Queen? 
On the other hand, how about Korean barbeque? I don’t know why, but the idea has suddenly popped into my head.
An izakaya is a restaurant that specializes in small dishes that are designed to be shared and/or eaten with drinking. There are some dishes that are considered typical for izakaya, such as edamamme and bacon-wrapped asparagus (バコンアスバラ “bacon-asupara” in Japanese). They usually have a bar-like atmosphere, but Emetai is a restaurant.
If we’re going to go for Korean barbecue, I vote for Korean Grill House on Queen West at McCaul. They’re cheap (~$17 for the “up-scale” all you can eat) and the food is tasty.
Well, why don’t we do that then. I’m over that unfortunate incident in San Francisco. And it was a Thai restaurant anyways.
And maybe it will cause HazelNutCoffee to reappear. 
I throw my vote in with whatever’s most popular, so long as you don’t expect me to eat chocolate or sauerkraut.
Mmmmm… Korean BBQ. The Queen & McCaul location has an upstairs too, so we shouldn’t have any trouble finding a table big enough for a group.
Pretty sure that’s free of both sauerkraut and chocolate, and it provides the opportunity to cook on a red-hot hupcap… what more could anyone ask for?
The upstairs is where they put big groups, so we should get a head count and I’ll make a reservation if that’s the Will of the Dopers. Strangely, I have the phone number in the phone book on my cell. :dubious:
Here’s the site for those wanting to know more: http://www.koreangrillhouse.com/qn_home.htm
ETA: The up-level all-you-can-eat is $15.95. We all have to have the same level, if we’re going all-you-can-eat.
Doublechecking: Is this definitely going to be a weeknight thing?
Da. Thursday, Feb 26.
A good time to meet…7:15 PM?
So Günter’s House of Chocolate-Flavoured Sauerkraut is out?
Isn’t kimchee sort of like sauerkraut? I mean, they’re both transmogrified cabbage…
It is akin to saurkraut, yes. And we will be indulging in some, but it’s not part of the all-you-can-eat, so no one will be forced to eat any.
This time.
[sub]Mmmmmm… kimchi…[/sub]
You mean the eat-kimchee-til-you-barf contest has been cancelled? Well dang… I’d been practicing all week, too.
Well, we’ll still be doing the baechu and oisobagi (my favourite!!) rounds, but the full contest will have to be saved for our venture to Korea Town.
What, we’re going to Seoul? I was wanting to get out of town to somewhere warm and sunny, with bright colours and friendly locals, but I was thinking Varadero Beach…
And how long have you lived in Toronto, again?
I know, I know. But I’m kinda scratching at the window these days and wanting a change of scenery.
Just a reminder that if (as it appears) we’re going to Korean Barbecue Grill, I’ll need a headcount so that I can make a reservation. I’m assuming unless anyone else speaks up that we’re targeting 7:15 PM, per Sunspace’s recommendation. I’m going to take the opportunity to invite a few friends who’ve been out to Doper gatherings, but aren’t regular contributors here, as well.
So far, based on who’s posted in the thread, I’m assuming our potential list includes:[ul][li]Sunspace[]Mahna Mahna[]Swallowed My Cellphone[]Kid_A[]Daerlyn[]cowgirl[]bashere[/ul]Can people speak up as to whether they’re coming? And others I’ve left off, of course.[/li]
Is it safe to expect that chrisk won’t make the trek during the week? We’d be thrilled to have you come, of course. Also, it’s worth mentioning that Booker57 emailed me to say that he’d be interested in joining us once again if we can schedule a get-together far enough in advance that he can make the trek from mid-state NY.