Best Sushi Place In Town?

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Well I'm certainly going to scratch this restaurant off my list.... particularly considering that the sanitary conditions were so bad that Calgary Health Region closed them down in February 2009.

Check out the Health region site and search any restaurant listed in this thread. ALL of them have had food temperature violations in 2008 or 2009. Here are a couple off the top that I looked at....

Kinjo - Food Temperature violation in 2008 & 2009. Food destroyed on one occasion.
Edo - Almost every Edo Japan in the city has had food destroyed and multiple violations in 2008 and 2009.
Globefish - Food Temperature violation in 2008 and Food contamination twice in 2009.
Towa - Food Temperature violation in 2008, no inspections in 2009.
Misato - Food temperature & contamination in 2008 and 2009.

Will that stop me from going to any of them? Hell no.

[bomber317]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Check out the Health region site and search any restaurant listed in this thread. ALL of them have had food temperature violations in 2008 or 2009. Here are a couple off the top that I looked at....

Kinjo - Food Temperature violation in 2008 & 2009. Food destroyed on one occasion.
Edo - Almost every Edo Japan in the city has had food destroyed and multiple violations in 2008 and 2009.
Globefish - Food Temperature violation in 2008 and Food contamination twice in 2009.
Towa - Food Temperature violation in 2008, no inspections in 2009.
Misato - Food temperature & contamination in 2008 and 2009.

Will that stop me from going to any of them? Hell no.

Violations is one thing, getting the restaurant shut down is another.

I looked up a few of those restaurants, Wa's and Towa had violations but were never shut down. Zipang didn't show up on the list.

I'd imagine getting shut down is a big issue, habits are hard to break, especially cleanliness/uncleanliness habits.

[CRXguy]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

For those of you in Vancouver, try out Kintaro, just in Coal Harbour a block east of the north end of Robson - best Ramen in Canada, hands down, and almost exactly the way they serve it in Japan.

My wife and I wanted to try that place, but it was insanely busy. It also is very small and not child friendly, so we went down a couple doors for sushi instead. Will have to try Kintaro one day.

[drewboy12]

Originally Posted by bomber317

Violations is one thing, getting the restaurant shut down is another.

I looked up a few of those restaurants, Wa's and Towa had violations but were never shut down. Zipang didn't show up on the list.

I'd imagine getting shut down is a big issue, habits are hard to break, especially cleanliness/uncleanliness habits.

Most violations are nothing... They put them there, to seem to mean something but really every single place will have a violation... To be shut down, is nearly impossible. Dont let a few violations turn you from trying a place.

[_Q_]

I have tried Kinjo because of a recommendation from a friend. It was probably some of the worst sushi I have ever had. The fish did not taste fresh, was not cut properly and had some stringy tissue in it. Absolutely horrible. I might have gone on a bad day, but I am really turned off on that place because of that experience.

I find Globefish to be excellent, as well as Towa. With that said, I do sometimes get sick of the size of Towa's sushi, and from what I hear, real sushi aficionados would probably have a heart attack because of the size of the sushi there. For this reason, I prefer Globefish. Pretty cool place to take a girl on a date too as well. I haven't tried most of the other places on this list. I should check them out soon.

[drewboy12]

http://www.tojos.com/Splash.html

[bomber317]

Originally Posted by drewboy12

http://www.tojos.com/Splash.html

Mmm, tojos. I went there with my sister once when I was in vancouver. Very good, but pricey.

[drewboy12]

Originally Posted by bomber317

Mmm, tojos. I went there with my sister once when I was in vancouver. Very good, but pricey.

I havnt been yet... Im going to fly out soon and go... Maybe on my next day off.

He is supposed to be one of the best sushi chefs in North America though. Ive only heard good things. Worth the money in my mind. The prices are not to to steep. Ill do like a $180 Omakase probably.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I find Globefish to be excellent, as well as Towa. With that said, I do sometimes get sick of the size of Towa's sushi, and from what I hear, real sushi aficionados would probably have a heart attack because of the size of the sushi there. For this reason, I prefer Globefish. Pretty cool place to take a girl on a date too as well. I haven't tried most of the other places on this list. I should check them out soon.

To be fair, sushi aficionados would probably scoff at what Globefish passes as "sushi". They aren't even really a sushi restaurant, as I've said above. They are more of an Izakaya and they just happen to serve some sushi.

Towa is good, but it's gimmick sushi. You get gigantic pieces and rolls. Nothing about it is traditional. They have carved out a niche with that type of sushi and it works for them. I still think their rice quality is average, though.

It's difficult to find good traditional sushi in Calgary, but the closest thing you're going to get probably comes from Wa's, Zipang, or Sushi Club in Kensington.

Shikiji was mentioned as a recommendation in this thread. While I've only been there once, I thought that their strength was their prepared foods. The sushi was decent, though. I should give it another shot.

[malcolmk14]

Just to add to the list, Tenshi in Kensington and El's Japanese Fusion in Marda Loop do a really good job.

I'm really hungry now.

Top-tier: Wa's, El's Japanese Fusion, Misato
Mid-Top-tier: Zipang, Sushi Club, Globefish, Shibuya, Tenshi
Mid-tier: Shikiji, Ichiban, Towa, Misai, Midori
Mid-bottom-tier: Kinjo, Sushi Boat, Sakana Grill
Bottom-tier: Edo, any all-you-can-eat place.

[flamesflames444]

My 2 favourite places are definitely Zen 8 and Globefish in order of preference, however, they can get rather pricey.

If on a budget, I'd go for Sakana Grill... probably half the price of the above 2 and still fresh

[bomber317]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Just to add to the list, Tenshi in Kensington and El's Japanese Fusion in Marda Loop do a really good job.

I'm really hungry now.

Top-tier: Wa's, El's Japanese Fusion, Misato
Mid-Top-tier: Zipang, Sushi Club, Globefish, Shibuya, Tenshi
Mid-tier: Shikiji, Ichiban, Towa, Misai, Midori
Mid-bottom-tier: Kinjo, Sushi Boat, Sakana Grill
Bottom-tier: Edo, any all-you-can-eat place.

Looks like I'll need to try Sushi Club and Tenshi soon. Did Sushi Club move awhile back? I was trying to go there a few months ago and couldn't find them or call them.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Just to add to the list, Tenshi in Kensington and El's Japanese Fusion in Marda Loop do a really good job.

I'm really hungry now.

Top-tier: Wa's, El's Japanese Fusion, Misato
Mid-Top-tier: Zipang, Sushi Club, Globefish, Shibuya, Tenshi
Mid-tier: Shikiji, Ichiban, Towa, Misai, Midori
Mid-bottom-tier: Kinjo, Sushi Boat, Sakana Grill
Bottom-tier: Edo, any all-you-can-eat place.

I was a big advocate of Misato's. I had tried a lot of the other places you have listed and felt that was my favourite. That is until I had Towa which I felt was better. Not incredibly better but overall I liked the freshness, taste and presentation of their roles more. I would have it in top tier personally... above Globefish that's for sure.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by red sky

I was a big advocate of Misato's. I had tried a lot of the other places you have listed and felt that was my favourite. That is until I had Towa which I felt was better. Not incredibly better but overall I liked the freshness, taste and presentation of their roles more. I would have it in top tier personally... above Globefish that's for sure.

You're probably right, and I debated between putting Towa in the mid tier or the mid-top tier. After some deliberation I settled on mid-tier for a few reasons:

1) Their sushi is gimmicky and non-traditional. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, I think the size of the sushi hurts small groups, because you can't try a variety without being filled up fast. If you're dining with a bigger group, it becomes easier to order different items.

2) Their nigiri sushi is expensive. You get bigger pieces, but the difference isn't enough to justify double the price in some cases (Unagi).

3) Their rice is average. The biggest factor in determining good sushi needs to be rice first, fish second. I feel Towa falls short of some of the other listed places in the rice category.

4) I haven't been there in a while, so my opinion is probably skewed a little bit. I'm eating there tomorrow night and I will probably be reminded of how tasty it is.

[Sly]

BTW, Misato is owned by Koreans and they make the BEST Korean-Japanese style sushi....

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by red sky

Who here is craving sushi like no ones business???

Like you wouldn't believe...
I haven't had sushi in over a month and I usually eat it 2-3 times/week. Now this thread, and me not going back to Vancouver until Sunday, I'm dying!! I am going straight to my local sushi master when I get back to Van on Sunday, won't even go home first.

My favorite in Calgary was always Sushi Club. I liked Globefish too, but it has changed since first opening and as others have mentioned, more of an izikaya now.

Still haven't been to Tojo's, and likely won't go unless someone else is buying. When $8 sushi in Vancouver is amazing I can't justify $100 sushi, as much as I'd like to try it even once.

Toshi's is the next place I must try, which is also very highly rated, always requires a wait but is known to be fantastic and affordable.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

You're probably right, and I debated between putting Towa in the mid tier or the mid-top tier. After some deliberation I settled on mid-tier for a few reasons:

1) Their sushi is gimmicky and non-traditional. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, I think the size of the sushi hurts small groups, because you can't try a variety without being filled up fast. If you're dining with a bigger group, it becomes easier to order different items.

2) Their nigiri sushi is expensive. You get bigger pieces, but the difference isn't enough to justify double the price in some cases (Unagi).

3) Their rice is average. The biggest factor in determining good sushi needs to be rice first, fish second. I feel Towa falls short of some of the other listed places in the rice category.

4) I haven't been there in a while, so my opinion is probably skewed a little bit. I'm eating there tomorrow night and I will probably be reminded of how tasty it is.

I agree with a few of your points but I find that Misato's uses far too much rice for a lot of their roles. Towa's rolls are big, yes, but I find there is some much stuffed inside the nori that they stand out over Misto's. But again, if you are particular about the rice then you would probably prefer Misato's for this very reason.

I am no means an expert on Sushi, I just love eating it. I rarely get Nigiri as it tends to get really expensive but sometimes I will get a piece or two. Sashimi is only for special occasions and I cannot comment on Towa's as I have yet to try it.

I am going to go to Towa this weekend... along with all of CP

[Muta]

I've also found the dumpster behind my house to provide some fairly exotic cuisine for some late night eats. Atmosphere's not the best, but I can do all the eat-and-runs I want.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Like you wouldn't believe...
I haven't had sushi in over a month and I usually eat it 2-3 times/week. Now this thread, and me not going back to Vancouver until Sunday, I'm dying!! I am going straight to my local sushi master when I get back to Van on Sunday, won't even go home first.

My favorite in Calgary was always Sushi Club. I liked Globefish too, but it has changed since first opening and as others have mentioned, more of an izikaya now.

Still haven't been to Tojo's, and likely won't go unless someone else is buying. When $8 sushi in Vancouver is amazing I can't justify $100 sushi, as much as I'd like to try it even once.

Toshi's is the next place I must try, which is also very highly rated, always requires a wait but is known to be fantastic and affordable.

Tsukiji and Aji Sai are also supposed to be very good in Vancouver. What are some of your usual spots?

Originally Posted by red sky

I agree with a few of your points but I find that Misato's uses far too much rice for a lot of their roles. Towa's rolls are big, yes, but I find there is some much stuffed inside the nori that they stand out over Misto's. But again, if you are particular about the rice then you would probably prefer Misato's for this very reason.

I am no means an expert on Sushi, I just love eating it. I rarely get Nigiri as it tends to get really expensive but sometimes I will get a piece or two. Sashimi is only for special occasions and I cannot comment on Towa's as I have yet to try it.

I am going to go to Towa this weekend... along with all of CP

Fair criticism of Misato for using too much rice in their rolls and I agree. As far as nori goes - not enough places in Calgary use good quality nori, and this can sometimes be the difference between a perfect roll and a good roll.

I am not a big fan of sashimi either, unless I'm ordering it as part of a Chirashizushi (bowl of rice with various raw ingredients).

Mmmmm, chirashizushi...

[malcolmk14]

And while I'm posting pictures,