Can someone recommend a great sushi restaurant in the Yorkville area? Want something *Awesome* No price range. TIA

[Staceyy]

Thanks so much :-)

[derekw]

if yorkville is a requirement, then yamato is the best one. menu not too inventive, but the standard sushi they serve are of high quality. service and decor are excellent. prices are up there, too.

if your taste leans towards middle of the road conservative dishes, yamato may even be a great choice. if you prefer something more creative and exciting, you could do better elsewhere (outside yorkville).

[tjr]

Ichiriki is okay, but there is no awesome (or even good) sushi in the Yorkville area.

[Googs]

BUT be very wary of the wasabi content in the sushi at Ichiriki. Chef enjoys using it a lot. I mean aaaa LOT. Do not under any circumstances add any yourself. You're better off going with sashimi if you want to avoid having the top of your head blow off.

[childofthestorm]

Yes, agreed, he definitely does his own spicing Japanese-style, and likes it hotter than most, just a touch of soy sauce is all you need.

[childofthestorm]

In Yorkville itself there is nothing remotely close to awesome, but if you walk 5 minutes to Bloor and Church, Ichiriki is a very solid Japanese-run choice. Order from the specials on the board and you'll have a great meal.

[phoenikia]

Agree that there are no great sushi restaurants in Yorkville these days.

I'd head downtown to Japango on Elizabeth (near the bus station) for good sushi, or out to the burbs for *Awesome* sushi (Kaji for omakase in Etobicoke, or Zen in Scarborough).

Hiro on King W also has good quality fish AFAIK, but I've never dined there before. I've been happy at Nami, but I wouldn't put it in the realm of *Awesome*.

The only Japanese meal I have had in TO that I would describe as *Awesome* would be my meal at Kaji.

[Googs]

Just did a sushi-only omakase at Omi. Kind of an oxymoron when you think about it. In any case, it was as mind-blowing as the omakases John Lee used to do when he was on Church St.

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Omi
243 Carlton St, Toronto, ON M5A, CA

[phoenikia]

Right on, good to know, Googs;) Still haven't been there.

Just so the OP is aware, Omi's sushi is on the innovative, rather than the traditional side.

[tjr]

Is the shari there good yet? I think I'd prefer a Korean-style dishes only omakase at Omi.

[Googs]

Well, I wouldn't consider myself to be any kind of shari expert so you know. I DID have much of my dinner without the accompanying smoked soya or wasabi though. After the first 2 or 3 pieces I realized it didn't need a thing. Without the distractions, the umami could shine through.

[tjr]

I prefer my sushi properly seasoned by the chef, especially where omakase is concerned. The chef should know the right amounts of wasabi and soy to apply better than most of his patrons, especially in Toronto, I'd imagine.

Do you know if Lee would do an omakase of just Korean items like the bibimbap?

[Googs]

The one we had isn't on the menu. Hubby had a hankering. John didn't even bat and eye, just went straight to the yes. When we do it again, though, I'm very definitely going to call and book it in advance. I don't like to take advantage of his, or anyone else's, kind nature. You may consider doing the same.

[tjr]

Thanks, Googs. I really like some of his Korean-style dishes, but I can get much better sushi elsewhere, so I'd rather skip that. I've found some of his Korean dishes are much, much better than Korean restaurants (though not quite as good as a Korean mom's cooking). I'll give them a call and see :-)

[Googs]

You might also want to take a small dip in the sushi waters. He only gets better over time. Every dinner is a new experience.