Restaurant Imadake

When sushi first hit the North American dining scene, it caught on like wildfire, making it the hallmark of Japanese cuisine in the West. But while the popularity of sushi grew, other cultural and culinary treasures from Japan went largely unnoticed.

After a long day at the office, it's customary for Japanese workers to head to the Izakaya, or Japanese pub, to unwind with a drink and Japanese tapas. While popular in the Land of the Rising Sun, Izakayas are a rare find in North America, with just a handful sprinkled across the continent, and only a few to be found in Canada. And that's just what inspired Patrick Fung and Chris Côté, two Montrealers, to start one on the city's west side. "We wanted to do something different and create something authentically Japanese," says Patrick.

Imadake, with its pub-style decor and menu, opened its doors in the summer of 2011 to introduce visitors to a little-known side of Japanese culture and cuisine. “For the first few months, it was quiet," says Kevin Fung, Imadake's Operations Manager. "But the Montreal Gazette wrote a great review and the concept took off."