patient_zero
Falafel District
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Tora, a Japanese restaurant, has recently been opened in Gahanna in the former Milano restaurant space.
Chef Kim, who's cooked for Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Iron Chef, will offer sushi and other prepared raw items, filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip and wagyu beef and numerous appetizers.
Tora 1330 N. Hamilton Road. 614-428-8672. Open for lunch and dinner, closed for night prep between 2:30-5:30.
Read more here.
mrsgeedeck
Castle of Lions
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patient_zero wrote >>
Chef Kim, who's cooked for Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Iron Chef, will offer sushi and other prepared raw items, filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip and wagyu beef and numerous appetizers.
Read more here.
Conveniently, our anniversary is tomorrow, we'll have to check this place out for dinner!
patient_zero
Falafel District
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mrsgeedeck wrote:
Conveniently, our anniversary is tomorrow, we'll have to check this place out for dinner!
patient_zero wrote:
Happy anniversary to you both! Should you dine at Tora, it's my wish that Chef Kim prepares a memorable dinner for you.
I'd appreciate feedback on the food, menu, service and saké.
The Peanut Gallery
Mom's Basement - Living the Dream at 43
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DavidF... maybe you will be able to post the review1 :)
The Peanut Gallery
Mom's Basement - Living the Dream at 43
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Do skunks and lemurs get along?
Jimbo Jones
German Village
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dsay wrote >>
Uh...does it same strange to anyone else that an accomplished chef of some national acclaim would open a restaurant in a strip mall in Gahanna?
I wonder if it had something to do with him thinking that he might draw more customers in Gahanna than downtown? Perhaps he also thought the market for sushi is a bit saturated downtown? I'm only speculating. You could also ask yourself whether it's strange that a chef of such acclaim would open a restaurant in central Ohio.
hungrywoolf
Victorian Village
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patient_zero wrote >>
Tora, a Japanese restaurant, has recently been opened in Gahanna in the former Milano restaurant space.
Chef Kim, who's cooked for Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Iron Chef, will offer sushi and other prepared raw items, filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip and wagyu beef and numerous appetizers.
Tora 1330 N. Hamilton Road. 614-428-8672. Open for lunch and dinner, closed for night prep between 2:30-5:30.
Read more here.
Any more details of where he worked before? 'cooked for Morimoto' could mean that he cooked for him once somewhere, or it could mean that we worked for him.
hungrywoolf
Victorian Village
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Found out more - it has the same owners as Hama at Easton and the chef is moving over from Hama.
http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/food/stories/2009/12/16/tabletalk.html?type=rsscat=sid=104
Only one yelp review so far:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurant-tora-gahanna
patient_zero
Falafel District
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@ hungrywoolf - Yeah, that was the same article I cited on the word "here", in read more here. I know, it's hard to read blue and blue. Maybe Walker can change the color to red.
@dsay, Chef Kim once worked for Morimoto in Philidelphia
http://www.morimotorestaurant.com/
but the owner is Won Lee, also owner of Hama. Chef Kim is the executive chef, not the owner.
michaelcoyote
!seabus
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Looks like this is more of a pan-asian place than a straight up Japanese place. To be honest, I've not been a fan of Hama since Mr. Lee bought the place a few years back. It seemed like the quality dropped, and a few of my favourites fell from the menu. I wish him luck in his new venture.
DavidF
Elysium Fields
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hungrywoolf wrote >>
Found out more - it has the same owners as Hama at Easton and the chef is moving over from Hama.
http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/food/stories/2009/12/16/tabletalk.html?type=rsscat=sid=104
Only one yelp review so far:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurant-tora-gahanna
That yelp review was pretty much devoid of any useful information.
mrsgeedeck
Castle of Lions
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Quick review...
We had dinner reservations tonight, and although there were a few minor issues...for the most part we came away with a positive experience.
They've only been open for a week, and it shows in the wait staff who seem unfamiliar with the menu. The husband ordered the Omikase (Chef's choice) sashimi (which was on the menu) and then proceeded to explain to the waiter what we wanted in plain English. Not to imply the service was bad, it wasn't, just perhaps not as familiar with the menu as one would hope.
Speaking of...both drink and food menu was rather overwhelming. Each page came with a full color page of accompanying photos, which on the one hand is probably helpful to those unfamiliar with Asian cuisine, makes you feel like you're flipping through the Aeneid looking for food.
BUT! The food is marvelous. We shared everything ordered, and the wagyu, though not 100% certain is the real deal is still well prepared and very tasty, there is significant difference in their wagyu and the average cut of beef. This is definitely a dish I would order again. The Omikase platter blew us away. The husband has pics that I hope will do the platter justice, but I've got to say, the quality of fish that was prepared and presented was some of the best quality I've had in Columbus. Gorgeous presentation, high quality fish, 'nuff said.
The desserts are a bit pedestrian, but tasty. If you aren't expecting an in house pastry chef, you'll be well satisfied with the offerings. I went with the fried ice cream, and the husband the fried bananas, I preferred mine, as it was a bit less sweet, but we finished both, which is a testament to their tasty composition.
One last thing...it is located in the midst of a strip mall, and...well...many of our fellow diners were probably a bit more familiar with the area. We were surprised to find families with children under 10 in the dining area considering the menu (though extensive) is not readily kid friendly.
Overall, I'd say Tora has what it takes to make me break my five mile radius rule (I like to stay within 5 miles of our home when working, dining, and drinking when possible) and turn Gahanna into a travel destination. :)
patient_zero
Falafel District
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mrsgeedeck wrote >>
Quick review...They've only been open for a week, and it shows in the wait staff who seem unfamiliar with the menu.
Speaking of...both drink and food menu was rather overwhelming.
BUT! The food is marvelous. The Omikase platter blew us away. I've got to say, the quality of fish that was prepared and presented was some of the best quality I've had in Columbus.Overall, I'd say Tora has what it takes to make me break my five mile radius rule:)
Thanks to the geedecks for boldly venturing into a new restaurant on their anniversary on opening week. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed your dinners on such a special night. Once servers get on board with the War and Peace-sized menu with photos, they will be able to provide you with the service you deserve. I'm looking forward to Mr's pictures as well.
geedeck
Witalian Willage
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So here's the Omikase: http://twitpic.com/uo6lx
It's very pretty, but a bit intimidating. Fortunately the hostess came out when PSA-type info was needed without being asked, and I give that a big thumbs up, for both explaining the chef's choice and the sake samplers we had.
The food was great, though I really do think the menu needs a bit of a taming. It's huge, no joke. Like the appetizers menu is the size of the entire Surly Girl menu. I just don't know how sure I feel that the chefs can maintain quality over that many different things, and you get the same reading fatigue from the Cheesecake Factory's menu. The sashimi cuts were easily some of the best I've had, the freshness of the fish was unmistakable and just flat out isn't something that can be faked. Here's to hoping the quality can be maintained.
That said, man the space. It's nicely done but there's a bit of putting lipstick on a pig in terms of being in a strip mall, and you can see pretty much the whole space upon walking in. I find that weird/uncomfortable. I just know that when I'm eating sushi, I want a small, enclosed quiet area. That might just be me though. I do think it's going to face an identity crisis. I mean we were there dressed up, but then there's a kid running by in his sneakers, jeans and starter jacket and at the other end of the restaurant some girl with her family has broken out into an impromptu tap dance. Maybe the key is just to go later (9pm+) if you have low kid tolerance like I?
I know this a lot of negative, but mrsgeedeck covered the high points well and I stand by those too... Just had to note some concerns. Good times and reasonable prices in the end, and space that while isn't perfect, definitely isn't neglectful either.
PS. Don't trust google when trying to find 1330 Hamilton Rd. It places the location way the heck off at the corner of Hamilton and Johnstown Rd, so just aim for the SE corner of Morse and Hamilton instead
patient_zero
Falafel District
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That is just whimsically beautiful. http://twitpic.com/uo6lx
There are Morimoto influences no question, but Chef Kim has added his twist to the Omikase. I like his style. It looks like Mr. Lee spent some big bucks on the dishes and glassware as well.
One would think that Jeans and tennis shoes in a finer dining establishment would be unacceptable, and just maybe parents would rein in their kids as well when there are other guests in the restaurant.
I hope they post a website soon, because the Aeneid is a good Winter read.
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