Bar Cru Toronto
NOW CLOSED

Bar Cru

Bar Cru takes its name from the French word for “raw,” and they’re paying homage to three main raw seafood dishes: sushi, poke and ceviche.

The minimal little restaurant is tucked away on Market Street opposite the St. Lawrence Market.

Bar Cru Toronto

This is the venture of Victoria Tran and partner and chef Brandon La, who came here from Montreal, hence the French name.

Bar Cru Toronto

It’s an opportunity for the chef who’s worked for Momofuku and La Carnita to make something of his own.

Bar Cru Toronto

A simple salmon bowl ($13.50) from the poke section comes with cucumber, popping edamame, sweet pickled onions, seaweed salad, and a healthy amount of spicy mayo, tobiko and pea shoots.

Bar Cru Toronto

More off the beaten track is the octopus bowl ($14.95). The octopus is a little chewy but it has great flavour and the cut is a good size, and it comes with cucumber, white onion, black sesame seeds, seaweed salad, pea shoots and a funky, tart kimchi lime sauce.

Bar Cru Toronto

Though they offer omakase every day that ranges from 12  ($10.95) to 52 pieces ($70.95), we go for the day’s special roll ($7.95). With 12 or 14 piece omakase you can choose your nigiri, hosomaki and urumaki, but 42 or 52 pieces are all the chef's choice.

Bar Cru Toronto

Today's special is topped with torched salmon and a pickled wasabi relish that completely offsets any sliminess of the okra inside, leaving you with pure crunchy veggie goodness.

Bar Cru Toronto

Ceviche bowls are served with lettuce, quinoa, onions, sweet potato puree, micro sprouts and corn, corn nuts and hominy, traditional toppings you'd find in South America.

The quinoa soaks up the “tiger’s milk” ceviche dressing of their own design, a nikkei of aji amarillo peppers, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and lime so you can’t sip like you usually might.

Bar Cru Toronto

Our shrimp choice is $13.50. The flavours combine really well: I like sweet potato puree mixed in with everything and it certainly feels more healthy than some other lunch options, and the corn nuts add a pleasant crunch and saltiness.

Bar Cru Toronto

It’s mainly white and plain in here with a wall of exposed brick, but it’s pretty spacious, and has a relaxed feel that incorporates communal tables, bar seating facing the chef, and a water station where you can freely grab a cup yourself.

Bar Cru Toronto

The radio cycles through familiar throwbacks, and I can’t help but feel at ease with such a simple menu and environment.

bar cru toronto

Photos by

Hector Vasquez


Latest Videos



Latest Reviews

Chamberlain's Pony Bar

Chop Steakhouse Toronto

Animl Steakhouse

Bad Egg

Wolfie

Ban Ban Korean Fried Chicken