Chotto Matte

What is Chotto Matte? Occupying a sprawling corner at 161 Bay Street inside Brookfield Place, Chotto Matte brings Kurt Zdesar’s high-energy global Nikkei concept to the Financial District with Executive Chef Jordan Sclare at the helm. The moody, dramatic room juxtaposes volcanic lava stone and blackened timber against vibrant murals by street artist Lefty Out There, featuring an open robata grill, a lively sushi bar, and a leafy warm-weather patio. It serves as a daytime power-lunch hub for Bay Street suits and shifts into a stylish nightlife dining room fueled by resident DJs on weekends.

Chotto Matte Menu & What to Order The kitchen executes a sharp blend of Japanese technique and Peruvian heat, balancing citrus-cured seafood with smoke-kissed robata meats. Standouts include the fork-tender Asado de Tira braised short rib, robata-grilled Tentáculos de Pulpo over purple potato purée, yellowtail Nikkei sashimi spiked with truffle-yuzu soy, and the torched Sato Maki roll. Dedicated vegan and gluten-free menus make group dining easy, while drinks from the signature "Tokyo to Lima" cocktail roster—spotlighting pisco, sake, and Japanese spirits—are essential pairings.

Know Before You Go Thursday through Saturday nights and after-work happy hours book out fast, so secure a table well ahead on SevenRooms, though solo diners can often grab walk-in seating at the expansive cocktail bar. Brookfield Place offers direct indoor access via the PATH and is a five-minute walk from Union Station, with underground parking on site. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, opening at 4:00 p.m. on Sundays for dinner service.