Japas Tapas And Oyster - Toronto Canada

It was just alright! While I appreciate that they're open late, I thought the pitcher of beer was a bit pricey. Additionally, the service could have been friendlier and more attentive. I guess I sometimes set my expectations too high, haha!

Japas really spoiled the experience of enjoying soju. The bottle arrived uncapped and warm, which completely defeated the purpose of going to a bar to drink soju and play games. When I mentioned this to a server, she returned with a cap that didn’t even match the soju bottle—it was from a different brand. We were also unsure about the contents of the bottle since the soju tasted watered down. After finishing a bottle and some fries, we paid the bill and left right away. The $22 price tag for that bottle only made the experience feel worse.

Honestly, they call themselves an oyster bar? My experience with the oysters at Japas was among the worst I've ever had. The Fanny Bay oysters we ordered—seven for $10—were not fresh at all. They had a strange odor, completely lacking the scent of the ocean. The water they were sitting in looked milky, and the crushed ice they were served on was half melted. The service was sluggish and indifferent, even though we were the only customers that afternoon. To top it off, we were given chopsticks to eat our oysters... I don't think I'll be coming back, at least not for their oysters!

This place just isn't worth the visit. It's very cramped and always crowded. There are two electronic dart stations, which are fun, but that's about it. The service leaves a lot to be desired, as it takes a long time to get a drink unless you go up to the bar yourself. I ordered their special chu-hi, which is an alcoholic drink with a popsicle in it. They promised me a mango popsicle, but I got melon instead. Normally, I wouldn’t mind the alcohol, but due to specific circumstances, I requested a non-alcoholic version, which was still priced the same as the alcoholic one. So, I ended up paying $9 for a cup of Sprite with a popsicle in it. If I had known it would be melon, I wouldn't have ordered it. I’d recommend sticking to their beers instead of the specials. If you plan on going, make sure to arrive early if you want a table or to play darts.

We experienced a minor hiccup when we first entered, as there was no one to greet us. We ended up walking to the back of the restaurant before we finally found staff to seat us. The place was a bit empty, but considering their promotions, I was surprised it wasn't busier. They offer dollar oysters on Mondays and Tuesdays, and half-price Japanese tapas on Wednesdays with the purchase of a pitcher. We ordered some beers and a plate of oysters. The oysters took a little while to arrive, but we were pleasantly surprised when they did. They were plump, medium-sized Malpeques served in a salty brine. They definitely don’t skimp on the toppings, providing cocktail sauce, a zesty ginger-orange sauce, and a salty brown sauce. The best part was the fresh grated horseradish instead of the usual preserved variety. While the oysters were a bit carelessly shucked—most were still attached to the shell—there were no shell fragments or anything unpleasant, and each oyster sat in a lovely pool of brine. Scooping them out with a fork was easy, so it wasn't bothersome. Overall, I plan to return next week. It’s not perfect, but I love the prices and the specials!