Dan Eyimina, who also owns the very cool Mrs.Robinson on College Street, brought together a new vision for Toronto that did not disappoint.
Eyimina told Narcity that Mrs. Robinson was inspired by his love for hip-hop, whereas at Rhapsody, he wanted guests to experience music that you wouldn't necessarily listen to at other Toronto restaurants, bars and clubs.
The Toronto restaurant may seem calm and whimsical at first, but as the night gets darker, the restaurant becomes more lively and feels like a playground for taste and music.
There are different sections in the restaurant that uniquely feel magical and eccentric.
I got invited to explore Rhaspody's offerings and was impressed from the moment I stepped into the restaurant and made me feel like I'd been transported to another world.
Here's what you can expect to experience at Rhapsody in Toronto.
The Restaurant
Rhapsody Toronto.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
Rhapsody is located at 214 Ossington Ave., and if you've ever explored the strip, you'll realize that what makes it so special is the diversity of restaurants.
At Rhapsody, guests can expect to delve into a world of mystical creatures, elevated music and food that will take them to another world.
The decor at Rhapsody makes you feel like you're immersed in nature.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
Upon entering, you'll instantly notice the bold design that creates a modern yet sophisticated atmosphere.
I couldn't stop admiring the large foliage-inspired chandeliers that were hung above the beautifully designed bar.
But after passing through the front area, you'll notice two rooms — one that feels like you're in a wooded forest in Narnia and the other like you're under the sea, watching mystical creatures swim by.
Forest room at Rhapsody.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
"The space is beautifully designed, seamlessly blending the enchanting elements of the woods and the adventurous sense of whimsy, using multiple textures and visual highlights," the restaurant stated in a press release.
If you arrive early, you'll feel cozy and comfortable while you dine, but as the music gets groovier and the food satisfies your hunger, you'll want to get up and start dancing.
At Rhapsody, just like the name suggests, Eyimina told Narcity he wants guests "to feel swept away in the lyrics and in the poetry of music and motion of food and beverage."
The Food
On that note, let's talk about the food. Putting the decor and vibes of the restaurant aside, the food activated my tastebuds in a way that hadn't happened in a while.
From my first few bites, I knew I was in for a very magical gastronomic experience.
The menu was created by executive chef Elias Salazar, who wanted to bring Japanese-Peruvian fusion food to life. He told Narcity that he wanted to take some Peruvian dishes and bring new flavours to them.
"Every single dish here is mine. These are not traditional Peruvian dishes," Salazar shared. "I always thought that if we're gonna come to Ossington, we have to make sure that everybody has a proper experience."
"And I think with the amount of flavours that I have on this menu, people are able to see the diversity that we have," he added.
Rhapsody's Ceviche Mixto.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
I tried a whole bunch of dishes at Rhapsody, but the ones that made my eyes pop were the ceviches. I had two kinds — the Ceviche Mixto ($25) and the Ceviche Vegan ($22) — and let me tell you, I was impressed in more than one way.
The Ceviche Mixto consists of tiger shrimp, Morrocan octopus, red onion, Andean corn, sweet yam, aji rocoto tiger's milk and cilantro. The tastes were a mix between sweet and spicy, with a smooth yet crunchy consistency.
Even though it's a cold tapa, the hints of spice warm it up and make it an all-season dish. I could've eaten a whole plate to myself. Also, it's served over dry ice, which makes for a great visual experience (and video).
Meanwhile, the Ceviche Vegan is (as the name suggests) vegan, and I still enjoyed it. I'm not a huge fan of tofu, which I was afraid of, but the dish didn't have any of that. The vegan dish is a mix of wild mushroom, avocado puree, artichoke tiger's milk, enoki tempura and chulpe corn.
If you hadn't told me it was vegan, I wouldn't have thought about it. It was delicious and I would happily order it again.
Rhapsody's Tostada Nikke and Yuca Fries.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
The Tostada Nikkei ($25) is another dish that you simply cannot skip. It's one of the chef's must-try recommendations, along with one of the ceviches and Pulpo Parrillero (grilled octopus).
The Tostada consists of nori tempura, sushi rice, yellowfin tuna, tosa shoyu, torched avocado, uni and togarashi. It's crispy on the outside but also soft and moist.
The uni compliments the yellowfin tuna well, and the ingredient mix is unlike anything I've had before. It's the perfect combination of Peruvian and Japanese flavours.
Brussels Sprouts. Right: Hamburguesa Rhapsody and Ceviche Vegan.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
Another dish that I think would compliment your well-rounded experience is the Brussels Sprouts ($15) — I know, what a weird recommendation, right? But the presentation will impress you and the overall tastes and sensations are quite good.
If you're craving a burger, the Hamburguesa Rhapsody ($19) is the way to go, but be warned, the burger is huge. It was as big as my face. It's a thick 7-ounce chuck patty with Gruyère, bibb lettuce and tomato chutney served on a potato bun.
Drinks & Dessert
Even though the food is a big part of the experience, the drinks are arguably just as important.
Lead mixologist Joe Beiglee, from Sunny's Chinese and Mrs. Robinson, has crafted a cocktail menu of refreshments inspired by his favourite songs. All Caps, Above the Clouds and Family Ties are the names of some of the cocktails on Rhapsody's menu.
My Cherie Amour and Speedboat. Right: Chica Morada and All Caps.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
The My Cherie Amour ($18) comes in a cute stemmed glass with a foamy top and refreshing fruity notes of raspberry and lemon. In comparison, the Speedboat ($19) has a more alcohol-forward flavour. No matter your preference, the menu is filled with carefully chosen cocktails to complement your food and dance moves well.
The menu also includes mocktails for people who prefer alcohol-free drinks, and the Chica Morada ($10) is delicious. The traditional Peruvian beverage is super light, refreshing and fruity.
Tres Leches and Lucuma Sando.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
To end the night right, I indulged in two desserts: the Tres Leches ($12), which I thoroughly enjoyed because it was made with peaches, so it was super flavoursome, and the Lucuma Sando, which is basically a Peruvian take on an ice cream sandwich.
Rhapsody
Mira at Rhapsody in Toronto.
Price: 💸💸
Address: 214 Ossington Ave., Toronto
Cuisine: Peruvian-Japanese fusion
Why You Need To Go: You'll be transported to a whimsical playground that satisfies your tastebuds thanks to the delicious Peruvian-Japenese fusion food while sipping on refreshing cocktails and listening to groovy tunes.
Rhapsody offered the author a complimentary meal with no expectation of coverage, positive or otherwise. Narcity Media does not accept payment, gifts or favours in exchange for editorial coverage. We may accept a free product, service or experience if we believe our honest review could be of value to our readers. You can find our full Editorial Standards here.
