This is the celebrity chef behind one of Toronto's most famous restaurants

Chef Akira Back is best known for his appearance on Food Network. Iron Chefan empire with 25 restaurants around the world (one of which received a Michelin star in 2018) and a track record as a chef for none other than the Dalai Lama, the British Royal Family and Bill Clinton.

What is less well known is that the Seoul-born chef is just as down-to-earth today as he was during his time as a professional snowboarder in Colorado.

I headed to Back's eponymous restaurant in the Entertainment District to meet the world-renowned chef and sample some of this fine dining restaurant's prestigious Korean-Japanese fusion dishes, including three of Back's latest culinary creations.

Next to the hotel's posh Mister C bar is a decorative but somewhat unassuming entrance to the restaurant. You'll need to climb a sculptural, gold-plated staircase to reach the restaurant on the second floor of the Bisha Hotel. Inside, a luxurious dining experience awaits.

Back opened Akira Back's Toronto location seven years ago in 2017. “Fortunately, our name is still hot and popular as a restaurant destination,” he says.

“Everyone told me that if your restaurant is still busy after four years, that’s a great achievement and you should be proud of it.”

Many believe that the restaurant's upscale menu makes it worthy of inclusion in Toronto's Michelin Guide.

When asked why he thought the restaurant had not yet received a Michelin star, Back replied humorously: “Everyone gives their marks differently. Michelin usually likes it a little smaller. I think we are lucky that our restaurant is quite large and very well attended.”

He adds: “I don’t think so much [about it]. If we get it, it will certainly be a blessing. It's a really good feeling when you get recognition, but any recognition is good.”

Back's true passion is bringing his unique culinary vision to different parts of the world: “I love opening restaurants all over the world because I meet so many customers from different countries.”

Some of these places are Las Vegas, Dubai, Paris, Seoul, Bangkok and Beverly Hills.

You'd expect Back, a serial restaurateur, to be less concerned with his portfolio, but he tries to visit each restaurant he owns as often as possible. Customers “don't know I'm here, but it's the best feeling,” he says.

Back has nothing but praise for the city. “Toronto is one of my favourite places,” he says. “The people here are so nice. Every time I go out, I meet at least five or six of the nicest people.”

After chatting with Back, it was time to sit down and see if the food was worth the hype – starting with the newest items on the menu.

Back says he wanted to “do something more traditional” for the new menu items.

One of the new additions to the menu is the tuna tataki ($26). Seared tuna slices are garnished with diced scallions and fried garlic slices and seasoned in a bath of Japanese tosazu dressing.

The fried tuna is incredibly fresh and aromatic with the side dishes. According to Back, the secret lies in the Tosazu made from white soy sauce, “which adds a lot of flavor in a unique and traditional way.”Another new addition to the menu is the A5 Wagyu Tataki ($58). The tataki (a Japanese method of preparing thinly sliced ​​meat) uses prime Wagyu beef.

The combination of the Japanese mustard-miso sauce with the sweet parmesan “snow” on top creates a unique and delicious explosion of flavor.
The last new dish on the menu that I tried is the Galbi Lamb Chop ($46). The Korean-style grilled lamb is served with roasted asparagus, tomatoes and fresh chimichurri sauce.

The meat is tender and juicy. The explosion of flavor from the traditional Korean barbecue sauce and the vinegary chimmichurri made from the Japanese herb shiso make this dish something very special.

If you plan on going to Akira Back, don't miss some of the offerings that have always been on the menu.

Must-try dishes include the melt-in-your-mouth grilled Alaskan king crab ($68), signature sushi rolls ($19-$38), and the tart-sweet Yuzu Citrus Curd dessert ($16).

Although there is no shortage of pomp and splendor in the serving and presentation – with smoke-filled boxes and terrariums that are supposed to smell and sound like the sea – the flair is complemented by really good food.

Back attributes the restaurant’s success to this fact: “If they try, [the food]they keep coming back.”In addition to the restaurant's many regulars, there are still “so many new customers,” Back claims. After seven years, he is very pleased with both his new and regular customers, “either way it's pretty incredible.”

Back hopes those who haven't found their way there yet will stop by this fall and try the new menu.

Akira Back Toronto is located at Bisha Hotel, 80 Blue Jays Way.