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I’ll readily admit I’m a full-blown sushi snob. It’s hard for me to sink below the quality at Yuzu or Japango in Toronto since those are my usual go-to spots (Sushi 930 is a close third and Sushi Yasuda in NYC takes the cake). But if I’m looking for a raw fish fix close to home, I order up the Chirashi Don ($17) from Sushi Solo Bekkan (3 Grosvenor St. near Yonge between Wellesley and College).
I like to believe the above guy is referred to as an “Angry Fish” for one reason — the drastic reduction of fish populations and the damage of marine eco-systems due to commerical fishing. Heck, a lot of Canadian sushi restaurants still offer species like bluefin tuna and farmed salmon that are harvested unsustainably. But there is a solution and Chef John Lee at Omi (243 Carleton St.) guided diners through six courses of 100% sustainable seafood options. He started with this incredibly light and flavourful whole Butterfish from Carolina, served on a bed of sweet potato shoestrings and fried to look like it’s swimming.
Newly opened Sushi Couture (456 Bloor St. West) is run by Ken Zhang, a former chef from one of my favourite sushi spots, Japango. Before visiting, I had to get over the irrational fear that I’d be cheating on Bruce Bu and his restaurants Japango and Yuzu. (Perhaps this is similar to what some people feel when they consider changing hair stylists.) Once I got over the ridiculous notion and arrived for lunch, I realized that my true concern should be whether I’d be able to withstand the freezing cold interior long enough to enjoy my sushi. The temperature outdoor is cold enough, so why must sitting inside be a chilly affair?
If you’re a fan of sushi, how about eating two massive handrolls for lunch? While I haven’t seen anything like this in North America, ordering a couple of larger-than-life temakis is how it’s done at Noori in Lisbon, Portugal. After a day of sightseeing, I popped in for a quick, cone-shaped sushi fix.
How did sushi in Portugal compare to what’s found in Toronto? Read on for the verdict.
Tags: Sushi
I currently work near Yonge & Bloor, which means I’m constantly on the hunt to find good-quality sushi in the area. I saw this article about Solo Sushi Bekkan in Toronto Life, which convinced me I had to go try it out for myself. The place is tiny (really really tiny), which is part of its charm, and if you don’t know its exact location, you’d definitely never stumble upon it.
Once you’ve found this hidden spot, read on to learn what to order at lunch.
