
Thursday, 17 May 2012
New Ramen Hot Spot Around the Block
Toronto's latest ramen joint "Kinton Ramen" recently popped up down the street on 51 Baldwin Street this week. I had the opportunity of trying it out last night during its soft opening. Their grand opening is tomorrow on Friday, May 18th. The owners of Guu Izakaya (Vancouver) opened up this ramen shop with the design curated by the folks at Dialogue 38, who also did Guu Izakaya on Church Street. Below is a shot of the front elevation but the patio was not set up last night.
Credit: Above photo from Biking in a Big City (http://jnyyz.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/kinton-ramen/)
The wait just to get a table was 1-1.5 hours. Seeing that the shop hasn't officially launched, just wait until grand opening arrives as it seems Toronto is always short on acceptable ramen shops. I would pass though if you are on a tight lunch break from work as the whole experience took about 2 hours+. The ramen took pretty long to arrive as well. I had the regular Shio Ramen with pork shoulder. The noodles are kneaded in-house while Kinton provides the option to customers of having the broth in regular or light . This is the Miso Ramen with pork belly in light broth:
The broth was good. The ramen was decent, a bit on the thicker side, and acceptable, but could be better in terms of the intensity of the taste. I still find there to be better options at Niwatei or Guu Izakaya. Although the atmosphere isn't as loud and ballistic as it is at Guu, I will go back next time to have a try of their Cheese Ramen that comes with swiss cheese as I've never heard of that combination before.
Here are the rest of the photos of the space. Speaking to assistant manager, Daiki, he mentioned that Manager, Aki, really enjoyed the tastes of the ramen in New York at Ippudo and David Chang's Momofuku. He wanted to bring some of that to Toronto.
The treatment of the interior walls comprises of mainly wood blocking ends put together in checkerboard patterning to add depth and contrast. The ceiling along with HVAC components is exposed. It's simple and I think it looks great with the exposed concrete floor, which induces somewhat of a rustic look.
Go check them out: http://kintonramen.com/

Credit: Above photo from Biking in a Big City (http://jnyyz.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/kinton-ramen/)
The broth was good. The ramen was decent, a bit on the thicker side, and acceptable, but could be better in terms of the intensity of the taste. I still find there to be better options at Niwatei or Guu Izakaya. Although the atmosphere isn't as loud and ballistic as it is at Guu, I will go back next time to have a try of their Cheese Ramen that comes with swiss cheese as I've never heard of that combination before.
Here are the rest of the photos of the space. Speaking to assistant manager, Daiki, he mentioned that Manager, Aki, really enjoyed the tastes of the ramen in New York at Ippudo and David Chang's Momofuku. He wanted to bring some of that to Toronto.
The treatment of the interior walls comprises of mainly wood blocking ends put together in checkerboard patterning to add depth and contrast. The ceiling along with HVAC components is exposed. It's simple and I think it looks great with the exposed concrete floor, which induces somewhat of a rustic look.
Go check them out: http://kintonramen.com/
Labels: food, interior design
Friday, 6 January 2012
Colour Combinations, Materials and Interiors
The building is not architecturally striking but the combination of materials and colours and shapes is strangely jarring?
More here...
More here...
Labels: interior design
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
MTO Office Construction Update
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Great Spin On An Old Ceiling Design
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Canada's Best Bathroom of 2010 announced
Cactus Club Cafe bathrooms in Burnaby, BC edges out Toronto's Spice Route Asian Bar & Bistro and Mildred's Temple Kitchen for top bathroom of Canada 2010.
More here.
Labels: interior design
Monday, 9 August 2010
Eaton Centre Renovation

Photo via urbantoronto
If you've been to the Eaton Centre lately, you might have noticed that it looks like a steel mess on the inside. Here's to its $120 million makeover.
Labels: interior design, Toronto
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
GBSA Recent Interior Design
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
GBSA Interior Design
Monday, 11 August 2008
Sneek Preview: TPL Kennedy/Eglinton Branch Expansion
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Architecture Office Meets Auto Repair Shop

So a friend sent me these photos of a one of a kind architecture office....
Labels: interior design, news
Monday, 11 February 2008
Marcel Wanders or Castor
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Museum Subway Station Toronto




So, the debate continues over the renovations of the seldom used but crystal attached Museum subway station. The new look for the station which is almost complete is set to mimic the museum artifacts and ancient civilizations. Next on the list is Osgoode subway regardless of the fact that the TTC just 'cleaned' the station. There is something refined and timeless about the glazed tile walls of the subway stations. This same characteristic can be found riding the rails in Montreal. If this plan is a one station deal it has some merit. Once more stations adopt the persona of it's name or area it does become a ride in disneyland. When you go to a museum you expect to be transformed so the station would be 'warm-up'. But what if you loathe the concept? What if you want your museum experience separate from your commute to work? Are the bus shelters next? What if you paid in rocks to enter the station? Or all the staff dressed in linen kilts? As a one station deal it may be successful. If more stations follow.....were in trouble.
(photos top-Museum Station proposal bottom two-STCUM Montreal)
Labels: interior design, news, subway stations
Thursday, 17 January 2008
New Offices- Ministry of the Attorney General
The new design for the offices of the Human Rights Tribunal division of the Ministry are currently out for tender. The new spaces include several environmentally friendly materials. The walnut veneer will provide a rich accent to the muted tones of the floors and walls. The project will be completed in the late spring. Photo updates of the construction to follow shortly.
Labels: interior design
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Retail Design - Comme des Garçons
Monday, 10 December 2007
Art, Lawyers and Architects
One of the larger law firms in the city is definitely making interior partitions more interesting. Architects KPMB have provided interior design services for Torys new space as well as architectural commentary. Which brings to mind another unrelated question...Who likes those buildings painted with ads?
Labels: interior design, news
Monday, 26 November 2007
Interior Design- Government of Ontario
The firm is currently working on the interior design of a couple of government offices.
The Ministry of Community and Social Services along with The Human Rights Tribunal(Ministry of The Attorney General) will have new spaces in the near future. This work will compliment a growing list of interior projects completed by the firm for the Ministries in the provincial government.
The Ministry of Community and Social Services along with The Human Rights Tribunal(Ministry of The Attorney General) will have new spaces in the near future. This work will compliment a growing list of interior projects completed by the firm for the Ministries in the provincial government.
Labels: government, interior design
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