#FOOD: RADICI PROJECT JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY EXPERIENCE

Little Italy’s Radici Project (588 College St.) will transform its dining room into a tranquil Japanese tea setting on Sunday, March 22, for one afternoon only. It will be led by tea masters Mika Sato and Satoshi Yoshikawa of Mika, a Toronto-based Japanese botanical and craft studio. The event will run from 12 pm to 1:30 pm, and will introduce guests to ceremonial matcha and premium Japanese teas through guided tastings paired with seasonal bites by Executive Chef Emiliano Del Frate. It is designed for tea enthusiasts and matcha lovers who wish to explore the deeper nuances of these exceptional teas, offering a hands-on experience that reveals the ritual, precision, and craftsmanship at the heart of Japanese tea preparation.
Tickets are $80 per guest (inclusive of taxes and gratuity), and include the tea ceremony and seasonal bites. Due to the ceremonial format and limited seating of 12 guests, reservations are expected to sell quickly. Bookings can be made HERE.

During the event, Mika and Satoshi will also showcase and offer their handmade ceramics and tea wares for purchase, allowing guests to experience the craftsmanship behind the ceremony firsthand.

The Experience

The event will run across the seatings from 12:00–1:30 p.m., accommodating 12 guests. Participants will be divided into two groups and rotate between two tea stations, spending approximately 40 minutes at each before switching.

This tea ceremony will feature two matcha teas by each master.

At the first station, Satoshi Yoshikawa will guide guests through ceremonial matcha preparation.

Participants will taste usucha, the lighter whisked matcha most commonly served in tea ceremonies, and koicha, a thicker and more concentrated style of matcha known for its deep umami flavour and formal cultural significance. For matcha enthusiasts, koicha offers a different profile than the familiar bowl of matcha — richer, more intense, and traditionally served in smaller portions.

The next station, led by Mika Sato, will highlight premium Japanese loose-leaf teas, including gyokuro, a shade-grown tea prized for its sweetness and layered umami, and charcoal-roasted sencha, whose warm roasted notes provide a striking contrast to the delicacy of matcha.

To complement the teas, Chef Emiliano Del Frate will present seasonal finger foods paired to each tea, perfectly reflecting Radici Project’s philosophy of blending Italian technique with Japanese culinary influence.

The Philosophy
This collaboration reflects the philosophy behind Mika, the Toronto studio founded by Mika Sato. Inspired by the countryside of her childhood in Hiroshima, Sato created Mika as a space to bring the calming presence of nature and Japanese craft into urban life. Her work blends botanical design, pottery, and traditional Japanese aesthetics—an approach shaped by her study of ikebana, the centuries-old Japanese floral art form.

Joining her is Satoshi Yoshikawa, a ceramic artist originally from Okayama, Japan, who trained in pottery across Okinawa, Okayama, and Bizen. Specializing in wood-fired ceramics used for tea and sake, Yoshikawa draws inspiration from traditional Japanese kiln techniques and has exhibited his work in Japan before continuing his practice in Canada.

For Toronto’s growing community of matcha enthusiasts and tea lovers, the event offers an experience of traditional tea preparation, handcrafted ceramics, and the meditative philosophy behind Japanese tea culture—all within the intimate setting of Radici Project. Bookings can be made HERE.

About Radici Project
Radici Project is a contemporary Italian-Japanese restaurant located in Toronto’s Little Italy. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Chef Emiliano Del Frate and Kayo Ito, the restaurant explores the intersection of Italian and Japanese culinary traditions through seasonal menus rooted in sustainability and Canadian ingredients. Radici’s dual-concept space features both a natural wine bar and an intimate chef’s table dining experience, offering thoughtful sake and wine pairings alongside its cuisine.

About Mika
Founded by Hiroshima-born artist and designer Mika Sato, Mika is a Toronto-based studio and retail space that blends Japanese craftsmanship with nature-inspired design. Drawing from her upbringing in the Japanese countryside, Sato creates botanical works and handcrafted ceramics—including kokedama moss balls, terrariums, and unique pottery—that bring a sense of calm and natural beauty into urban spaces. Since opening in 2017, MIKA has become a destination for thoughtfully curated plants, handmade goods, and Japanese cultural pieces that encourage a more mindful connection to nature.