Montreal Restaurant Openings

Ryú Returns to Inner Montreal With A Downtown Sushi Bar

In a more casual format

by Tim Forster@timothyjforster Jul 26, 2017, 1:55pm EDT

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Former Laurier Avenue sushi spot Ryú is open again in Montreal-proper, this time with a shiny Peel Street location.

The sushi restaurant started branching out into a more casual approach in recent years, adding a location at the Carrefour Laval mall, and two at Montreal-Trudeau airport. The more formal Laurier location received warm write-ups, as recently as last September when critic Lesley Chesterman praised the sushi offerings (although she wasn’t a huge fan of the defunct Laurier location’s slightly odd club vibe).

Ryú is keen to stick to a more casual format, which is reportedly why the more formal Laurier location closed earlier this year. Take-out and delivery are big parts of the very lunch-friendly Peel location (the restaurant even had its bento box design custom made). Given the brick-and-mortar storefront (as compared to the more food court-like airport and Laval locations) it works as a sit-down venue, too.

Maki, nigiri and sashimi all figure as a major part of the menu (see it in full below), and Ryú is jumping aboard the poke train, featuring two versions of the chirashi-like Hawaiian rice bowls with raw, marinated fish. Those looking for more can splash on set omakase options, a choice of four for lunch service and another four at dinner.

Ryú by Eater.com on Scribd

Ryú is using only sustainably certified fish (the restaurant itself holds a certification from non-profit Ocean Wise, run by the Vancouver Aquarium). Such responsibly-sourced fish does tend to cost a little more — a poke bowl is around $17 — but realistically, it’s not like Montrealers should be expecting to get their hands on such a dish for $10.

Inside, Ryú is sleek and minimal — the 20-seat space has no shortage of white surfaces, wood, and plants. Take a look.