THE GEN X WANDERER / Image courtesy of akirabacktoronto.com / Akira Back Toronto

TABLE OF CONTENTS

We Stayed at the Bisha Hotel

Twenty six years married. That’s a long time to share a bathroom, a remote control and opinions about how to load a dishwasher, so I figured we’d earned a proper dinner. We booked a night at the Bisha Hotel in downtown Toronto and made a reservation at Akira Back Toronto, the restaurant is just right next door.

My logo X marks the spot for Bisha Hotel!

Akira Back Toronto: Our 26th Anniversary Dinner at the Bisha Hotel

If you’re hunting for an Akira Back Toronto review from someone who loves Japanese cuisine, the mood and the details, and who is also a famously picky eater, pull up a chair. I’ll tell you what we ate, what we drank, and why I’m still thinking about a mocktail days later.

Where Akira Back Toronto?

Akira Back Toronto is part of the Bisha Hotel at 56 Blue Jays Way, right in the middle of the Entertainment District.

That makes it a great pick if you’re going to a show, a Jays game or a concert, or if you just want to feel fancy for an evening without going far.

Getting to the restaurant is half the fun. You walk up a copper themed stairwell that is decorated within an inch of its life, and I mean that as a compliment. Nothing says “you’re about to spend money” quite like a staircase that looks like the inside of a jewellery box. I felt underdressed for about four seconds, then I remembered it was our anniversary and I could wear whatever I wanted.

I’ll be writing a full post about our stay at the Bisha Hotel shortly, so watch for that. This one is all about dinner.

The Design + Vibe at Akira Back Toronto: Dim, Moody and Very Grown Up

The dining room at Akira Back Toronto is dimly lit, modern and upscale, and the mood is cozy in a way that makes you lower your voice without being asked.

The star of the room is a huge light installation made of suspended wooden planks, arranged in a precise, organic shape that runs right down the centre. It looks like a very expensive wave frozen mid crash. I stared at it for a good part of the night, being an artist and all, and we contemplated on how they even hung that installation up there with that precision (Husband being an expert at rigging). After some googling… I found the architects (Studio Munge) who designed this masterpiece.

Every server is dressed in black, which gives the whole place a sleek, coordinated feel. The lighting is dark, but somebody clearly thought about it, because each table is lit just enough for you to see your food. That matters more than you’d think nobody wants to guess what they’re chewing, and every dish at Akira Back Toronto deserves to be looked at before you wreck it.

If you’re planning a date night, a birthday or an anniversary, this is the atmosphere you want. It’s romantic without being cheesy, and fancy without being stuffy. A Gen X girlie can relax in here, cuz…  we’re not easy to please.

What We Drank: Asahi, Prosecco and a Mocktail I Won’t Shut Up About

My husband started with an Asahi Super Dry, which is exactly what you want alongside sushi and wagyu. Crisp, cold, no drama.

Because it was our anniversary, the house prosecco was on the house. To be honest, I am not a drinker of any type of alcohol but this was a very tasty bubbly moment, and I didn’t mind it.

Now, the best part: the mocktail. I’m a fan of peach bellini’s, so I was trying to find an equivalent. Our server mentioned that this one was new on the menu. The White Peach Non Alcoholic. I loved it so much I asked our server for the recipe.

Reader, I got a handwritten note back from the bartender which I didn’t expect, I thought she would come back just rambling a list of ingredients. I’m including a photo of it, because a bartender who takes the time to write out a recipe for a stranger deserves some fame.

Here’s what’s in it:

Blue curaçao syrup
Mango juice
Orange juice
Fresh lime juice
A dehydrated mandarin orange slice on top

There were no ratios, but nothing that ChatGPT can’t fix.

If you’ve ever had a Sex on the Beach, you’ll spot the family resemblance. The classic version is vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice and cranberry juice, and there’s a bluer cousin often called Sex on the Driveway that uses blue curaçao. This mocktail is a cousin of those two, minus the alcohol and with a tropical mango twist. It’s bright, fruity, a little tart from the lime and not cloyingly sweet. I’d order it again in a heartbeat, and I now have the recipe to make it at home when I’m feeling fancy and slightly petty.

What We Ate at Akira Back Toronto

I told you I’m a picky eater, so keep that in mind. I know what I like, I like it done well, and I have zero interest in a surprise on my plate. That is why we didn’t get the Mystery Surprise Box. But our neighbours did. See my VLOG and more on that below.

Wagyu tacos. These were the first thing to arrive and they set the tone. Tender, rich, packed with flavour, and small enough that you can pretend you’re being reasonable. If you’re new to Akira Back Toronto and unsure where to start, start here.

Chef’s Pick Sushi Platter. This was a beautiful spread, and the fish tasted fresh and clean. The platter is a good move if you want a tour of what the kitchen does without agonizing over a long menu.

Edamame. Yes, I’m mentioning the edamame. It’s edamame, but it’s edamame that arrived warm and properly seasoned, and we ate every last pod. Sometimes the simple stuff tells you a lot about a kitchen.

Wagyu Fried Rice. I could write a love letter to this dish. Savoury, a little smoky, with wagyu folded through it. I don’t normally get excited about fried rice, and here I was, scraping the bowl. Order it.

Ribeye: Binchotan Charcoal Grilled Prime Beef. This was our big main. Binchotan is a Japanese white charcoal that burns hot and clean, and it gives the beef a beautiful char without any harsh smoky aftertaste. The ribeye was juicy, deeply beefy and cooked exactly how we asked. For a splurge dinner, this is the dish that made me feel like the splurge was justified.

The Mystery Box Next to Us

Here’s where dinner turned into dinner and a show. The couple at the next table ordered a meal that arrived in a box surrounded by dry ice. Actual smoke rolled across the table. Then a mystery box emerged from inside the first box, like a very fancy Russian nesting doll.

It was on the menu, and I’ll admit it looked amazing. It was also the kind of dish where you don’t fully know what’s coming, and as I mentioned, I am a picky eater who doesn’t want surprises. I stuck to my wagyu and my sushi, and I have no regrets. If you’re more adventurous than I am, the theatrical option at Akira Back Toronto looks like a great time. Ask your server what’s inside and go for it. Just don’t sit next to me, because I’ll be watching your plate.

Dessert: Miso Caramel Ice Cream and a Few Anniversary Surprises

Dessert was miso caramel ice cream, and if you’ve never had miso and caramel together, you’ve been missing out. Salty, sweet, creamy and a little bit funky in the best way. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you go quiet after the first spoonful.

On top of that, the staff brought out complimentary anniversary treats. Between the prosecco and the sweets, the team at Akira Back Toronto made us feel like the night mattered, and I appreciated it. Sure, I write about travel and hotels for a living, but I’m still a sucker for someone remembering an occasion.

Is Akira Back Toronto Worth It for an Anniversary?

Yes. The food is excellent, the room is gorgeous and the service is polished without being stiff. The dimly lit, moody setting makes it feel like a proper night out, and the wooden plank light installation alone is worth the trip. It’s a definite splurge, our bill came in at just under $300 CAD, so I’d save it for something that matters, like an anniversary, or a milestone birthday.

A few tips if you’re planning a visit to Akira Back Toronto:

• Book ahead, especially for weekends or event nights in the Entertainment District.
• Mention your occasion when you reserve. We got prosecco and treats, and it costs nothing to ask.
• Ask about the seasonal mocktails and cocktails. The bartenders clearly care.
• If you’re a picky eater like me, the wagyu tacos, fried rice and ribeye are safe and spectacular.
• If you want drama, try the dry ice box. I’ll live vicariously through you.
• Plan your evening around the stairwell photo. You’ll want one.
• Frequently Asked Questions About Akira Back Toronto

Where is Akira Back Toronto located?
It’s right next door to the Bisha Hotel at 56 Blue Jays Way, in Toronto’s Entertainment District.

Is Akira Back Toronto good for an anniversary?
Absolutely. The moody lighting, the cozy modern atmosphere and the thoughtful service make it a strong choice for celebrations.

What should I order at Akira Back Toronto?
Based on our night, I’d go with the wagyu tacos, the Chef’s Pick sushi platter, the wagyu fried rice and the binchotan charcoal grilled ribeye. If you want surprises, get the Mystery Box. Save room for “The Cigar: miso caramel ice cream”.

Does Akira Back Toronto have non alcoholic drinks?
Yes. They had a new white peach mocktail when we visited, and it was fantastic. Menus change, so ask your server what’s current.

Final Thoughts

Twenty six years in, a great dinner still beats almost every other gift. We did celebrate for 3 days, so there were other restaurants we visited that I will write about. Akira Back Toronto gave us a beautiful room, food worth talking about and a bartender who wrote me a recipe by hand, which is more than most people do in a lifetime. If you’re planning a special night out, add it to your list.

Up next, I’ll share what it was like to stay at the Bisha Hotel itself. Stay tuned.