The GOODS from Hapa Izakaya

Vancouver, BC | Lea and Justin Ault of Vancouver’s Hapa Izakaya restaurant group are pleased to announce the opening of Hapa Izakaya in Toronto. A mid-August opening is targeted for Toronto’s first Hapa Izakaya, which will be in the heart of Toronto’s “Little Italy”, at 602 College Street.

Voted “Top Five Izakayas In North America” by Bon Appétit Magazine in 2011; topping “Industry and Readers Choice” 2012 awards for best Japanese and best izakaya in the Georgia Straight weekly: and “Best Casual Chain – Silver” by Vancouver Magazine in 2012, Hapa Izakaya is destined to become one of Toronto’s favourite restaurants, offering a winning combination of a sexy room, excellent service, outstanding Japanese tapas, cocktails and sake.

The Aults are extremely delighted to be partnering with longtime Hapa Izakaya Robson Street managers Maaji, Jiena and Mackenzie Isobe (yes, all siblings!). The Isobes have over 20 years of Hapa Izakaya experience between them; outstanding ambassadors to represent Hapa Izakaya in Toronto. Learn more about the company after the jump…

Details

Downtown: 1479 Robson St, Vancouver B.C. Tel: 604-689-4272
Kitsilano: 1516 Yew St, Vancouver B.C. Tel: 604-738-4272
Yaletown: 1193 Hamilton St, Vancouver B.C. Tel: 604-681-4272
Email: [email protected] | Web: www.hapaizakaya.com
Twitter: @hapaizakaya | Facebook: Hapa Izakaya

Gallery

The People

Owners: Lea & Justin Ault
Chef Hokuto Yamanaka, Yaletown location
Chefs Daiji Tanaka and Ben Berwick, Kitsilano location
Chef Tomoki Yamasaki, Robson location

About Hapa Izakaya

When Lea and Justin Ault introduced Hapa in 2003 they exploded the izakaya concept in Vancouver. Hapa Izakaya’s combination of a sexy room, well-priced portions of Japanese tapas, cocktails and premium sake took the city by storm; Hapa set the bar high for the host of contenders that followed. In 2010 Hapa was the first izakaya to join the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise™ seafood conservation program and one of only a handful of Japanese restaurant partners in the program to-date. Hapa Yaletown is now open for lunch weekdays, and all three locations – Robson, Kitsilano and Yaletown – are open for dinner nightly. Reservations by phone are recommended. Visit www.hapaizakaya.com for information or follow @HapaIzakaya on Twitter.

Awards & Accolades

April 2010 – Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards | Silver, Best Japanese

March 2010 – Westender BEST OF THE CITY Reader’s Choice | Bronze, Best Japanese

October 2009 – Westender ON THE PLATE | 50 Favourite Things to Eat & Drink in Vancouver – “Hapa’s marinated mackerel and being able to watch your server blowtorch it tableside.”

February 2009 – Westender BEST OF THE CITY Dining Out | Gold, Best Japanese

May 2007 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards | Bronze, Best Casual Japanese

April 2006 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards | Gold, Best Casual Japanese

March 2006 The Georgia Straight | Golden Plates, Readers’ Choice, Best Japanese (4th)

February 2006 Westender | Silver, Readers’ Choice Awards, Best Japanese

April 2005 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards | Gold, Best Casual Japanese

April 2005 Vancouver Sun | Best Izakaya

January 2005 National Post | #2 of Five Best Canadian Destinations for Small-Plates Dining

April 2004 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards | Editors’ Choice Award | Bronze, Best Japanese | Premier Crew Award (Vancouver’s Best Service) – Kana Yanagawa

April 2004 Vancouver Sun | Best Robson Street, Budget | Best Contemporary Japanese | Best New Hip

November 2003 EnRoute Magazine | Listed among Best New Restaurants in Canada