The last time we got experimental in the kitchen, the results were less "Kitchen Stadium", more "Hell's Kitchen." Who would have thought that a few yummy ingredients mixed together does not a delicious dish make?

Thanks to Mirai and Kodai Uno, we no longer need to suffer from culinary escapades gone awry. Following the success of their Yaletown eatery Shiru-Bay Chopstick Café, the siblings have opened Toratatsu Japanese Tapas Bistro. Excited? We could hardly contain ourselves.

After sliding into the mini-booths (pack lightly, lest you be forced to tuck your oversize carryall on the floor), we admired the eclectic décor over a tasty pick-me-up of fresh lychee and passion fruit smashed with shochu ($5.50). Then we stuffed ourselves silly, starting with the Ebi Chili Mayo ($4) and crispy Negitoro Avocado ($7.30) with tuna tartare dip. We moved quickly onto the carpaccio-style Smoke Kissed Duck ($8.30), the Mushroom Soba (featuring a curiously gooey mountain yam, $7.30) and the Chicken Karaage Tortilla ($6.30). Finally, we rounded out our meal with the Gindara Saikyo Yaki ($9.80), or Japanese cedar-wrapped sablefish.

Hey, we said we were excited.

Toratatsu Japanese Tapas Bistro
735 Denman St. (at Alberni)
604-685-9399

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