Vitamin Daily

When it comes to deciding between the raw and the cooked, we’ll take ours sashimi-style every time.

We don’t have to choose one or the other at Ryu, Montreal’s latest izakaya-style Japanese tapas restaurant designed for those who like to sample and share. We started with the addictively crispy popcorn shrimp ($11) along with the perfect two-bite mini lobster tacos in shells made from wonton wrappers ($12). Slices of velvety Hamachi with slices jalapenos ($12) provided the perfect hit of heat, while a plate of fresh red snapper sashimi ($9) has a lightly sweet sauce. We loved the innovative selection of sushi, but absolutely devoured the ceramic-plate cooked miso-marinated black cod toban yaki.

I guess sometimes we do like our seafood with a little bit of sizzle.

Ryu, 288 Laurier St. W., Montreal, 514-439-6559, www.ryutapas.com