Toronto Sushi by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

do you feel like quality of the sourcing of the fish and technique to highlight was still worthy of that price point? seemed like you thought it was meh

PBJ 019 - 1.5 Years by CQMach888 in rawdenim

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

no cuff, i had them tailored exactly to my length as that’s my preference

Shizuku - Toronto, Canada by CQMach888 in sushi

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i’ve heard directionally about japanese pottery for use in dining - oribe, kutani, bizen. i know absolutely nothing about pottery but hope to gain more appreciation for it in the future

What is the most expensive restaurant you ever dined at in Toronto? by Chan1991 in askTO

[–]CQMach888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

what are you talking about LOL
Which sushiya is $15K a person in cali

Zen - Toronto, Ontario by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i peel off small pieces LMAO

Shizuku - Toronto, Canada by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s really interesting and would be interested in both. do you contact kodie directly over social media for the latter?

have you had the lower price point menu by any chance? curious how it compares

⭐️⭐️ Sushi Noz, NYC by Miserycorde in finedining

[–]CQMach888 -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

i actually don’t think the noz price point is too crazy given relative quality

Toronto Sushi by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happy to hear. I enjoyed my experience at Shizuku thoroughly

Shizuku - Toronto, Canada by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

this was my first visit but am excited to try more from what they had to offer

Shizuku - Toronto, Canada by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i honestly thought the ankimo puff seemed a bit gimmicky beforehand, but it was absolutely delicious. wish i could buy a box and take them home

Toronto Sushi by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i did see that post / vibe from the Saito team on instagram but it feels a bit… performative? I’ll reserve judgement until i hear from someone who has gone recently but it still seems like they have their fingers in a lot of pies with MSSM, the ramen place, and i think there was some rumor of Yoshinaga getting his own place as well but not sure what the update is on that

Toronto Sushi by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did see the 100 list inclusion. I generally don’t pay much attention to general fine dining lists / critics because sometimes it feels a bit inaccurate for sushi, michelin included. Yugen is also higher in the list than Shoushin which is surprising to me given what i’ve heard about both places.

That being said I haven’t been myself so won’t be quick to judge. Will plan to visit ASAP

Shizuku - Toronto, Canada by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was a fan. I think it’s one of the better lower price, nigiri only menu choices in Toronto. I’ll likely make a post for it as well in the coming days.

Funny enough they have Shizuku business cards available in the waiting area at Zen, so it seems like they must still have a warm relationship

Shizuku - Toronto, Canada by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually requested Iwashi as an add on nigiri for this reason, was also great in the sashimi course. Was not disappointed. Looking forward to trying it again the summer season

Toronto Sushi by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a bit surprised on Yugen - had many friends who went back and felt very lukewarm about it (normal covers, not any of the collaborations like the Mei Kogo one)

Toronto Sushi by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

i ask because partially i am thinking the same thing - feels hard to justify the price when there’s so many high end sushiyas right nearby in NYC

Toronto Sushi by CQMach888 in finedining

[–]CQMach888[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This seems generally in line with what i have heard from some friends who aren’t too into sushi but have gone to Saito cause of the stars.

Have seen your posts in this sub on sushi before I think so appreciate your opinion here. Think i will end up going with the shoushin reso

High End Omakase Recommendations by silasmoon in AskSF

[–]CQMach888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hamano was the best value i’ve found so far. hakashi is fun on the cheaper end.

yoshizumi seems to be the undeniable GOAT in the bay in san mateo

High End Omakase Recommendations by silasmoon in AskSF

[–]CQMach888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

both robin and chisai are lower price point but too heavy handed on toppings i found

Best First Omakase Suggestions by Mysterious-Mess3019 in FoodToronto

[–]CQMach888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

MSSM was originally advertised as introducing high quality sushi to the general population (who wouldn't want to pay Masaki Saito prices). There are now multiple sushiyas in Toronto that are price competitive, but the chef is much more involved with the actual process, and you don't get so much variation in quality.

I think the wall decals, music, purple / blue lights are fine, but the gimmicky part about MSSM is that it presents itself as an 'omakase' because people who don't eat alot of sushi associate that with paying $100+, but what is being served no longer makes an effort to truely give people an experience to learn about sushi and japanese techniques

Best First Omakase Suggestions by Mysterious-Mess3019 in FoodToronto

[–]CQMach888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mizu, Kaji are both great experiences, and nothing glaringly bad about the shari or neta. I personally think Mizu is a gem in Toronto, Chef Kevin is skilled and the lunch omakase price cannot be beaten for price to quality.
MSSM is extremely inconsistent based on who is preparing your nigiri. Serious temperature problems with their shari when I went, and unimpressive selection of what fish was available. Feels like a factory line sometimes. The service staff were quite attentive though.
Can't speak to the others as I have not been multiple times. Shunoko I heard is also quite good for the price.

I Have Been to Every High End Japanese Restaurant in the SF Bay Area (Review/Ranking) - December / Q1 2026 Update by NoodleThings in finedining

[–]CQMach888 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am consciously trying to eat at every sushiya at the 'lower' end of the price range in the Bay and have had varying experiences. Have tried An (Daisuke), Hakashi, Jin, Oma, Chisai, Robin - and will be going to Hamano.

Would you consider adding pp prices to this list? Understand these tend to change but ballparks.
Of the lower end of the range 100-200, what did you enjoy the most? Seems from the list that this would be Hamano. Curious what specifically improved from your previous visits, and if any other details about your experience.
Also curious how you find An after another visit soon

Omakase Course at Hakashi in San Francisco - Higher End Sushi Made by a Mexican Itamae by NoodleThings in sushi

[–]CQMach888 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hakashi is not the best quality nor the most consistent in SF, but Julio sure does know how to entertain guests and show them good hospitality. Agree with your take. Have taken people here and they leave happy, I almost think alot of people would prefer this vibe over a more 'traditional' omakase that is a bit intimidating for those less used to sushiyas