When a new sushi restaurant crops up near work, it means one of three things things: it will become my new favourite lunch spot, it’ll go into light lunch rotation, or it won’t live up to my standards and fade into obscurity. I gave Ginza Sushi three tries and have to put them in the second category. They’ve got some great thoughtful touches, but they also break a few cardinal rules.

I first tried dining in, and the meal starts off great, as they bring a small bowl of complimentary salted Edamame to our table. These get gobbled up quickly and put our hunger at bay for a few minutes as we wait for our orders to arrive.

Next come a Salad and Miso Soup, which are included with my sushi combo. The salad is above average and the soup is also better than most because it’s not too salty with a surprisingly hint of sweetness. Plus, the addition of a few floating straw mushrooms is a really nice touch.

My main course is Ginza Combo For One ($16). My biggest beef with Ginza is the freshness of their fish is definitely inconsistent. The fish used for the salmon nigiri and the salmon-avocado hand roll were past their prime. They smelled fishy and the consistency was tough. I couldn’t even bite through it when I tried. I had to leave these pieces on my plate, disgusted. On the other hand, the salmon sashimi was delicious and of good quality, so were the tuna, butterfish and eel. A wet noodle lashing for whoever thinks extending the shelf life of raw fish is a smart idea.

I did try to give Ginza a few more chances, ordering their Assorted Sashimi on Rice ($6.99) lunch special to go. Twice, the tuna I was given was at least a day too old. The colour, smell and texture were off and I had to toss them into the garbage. Trying to sneak in some old fish is unacceptable. The third (and I thought final) time I visited, the tuna was in better shape, and as usual, the salmon sashimi was incredibly fresh. I was much more forgiving than most customers who likely wouldn’t have given a place so many chances.

It’s an easy fix and a very important one for Ginza to improve its reputation. So please step it up, and hopefully your customers be back more often.

Ginza Sushi / 100-1255 Bay St., Toronto
647 351 0238 / Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-10pm, Fri. & Sat. 11am-11pm, Sun. 11am-10pm

Finding a good place to go for lunch on Friday is an easy task, since being productive that afternoon isn’t really a requirement. So when I headed over with a gang of co-workers to The Host (14 Prince Arthur Ave.) for their $11.49 Indian lunch buffet, we had one goal in mind — distending our stomachs as much as possible.

The Host is an upscale Indian restaurant that’s pricier than most, so going to their Thursday or Friday lunch buffet is a cost-effective way to try their dishes. As soon as you’re shown to your seat, drop your jacket and head straight to the back room. You’ll pick up a plate and travel counter-clockwise, first passing the sauces, salads and appetizers. I just do a courtesy stop here, putting a couple tiny scoops on my plate of cucumber and spinach salad and a samosa or two.

Next are the hot dishes, and there’s a good selection to choose from: Chana Masala (warning, it’s spicier than you’d expect), Saag Paneer, Cauliflower, Beef Curry, Eggplant (my absolute favourite), Tandori Chicken and the ever popular Butter Chicken (shown below).

As you can see from my plate, my goal is to try a little bit of as many different things as I can. Buffet strategies are a funny thing and vary widely. For example, some people (the healthier ones) go up for only one plate. On the other extreme, my co-worker Seb had a technique I’d never seen before. His goal is to eat the first plate so quickly and move immediately onto the second one, essentially tricking his stomach into thinking he hadn’t eaten yet. Watching him scarf down two overflowing plates in 20 minutes flat was pretty impressive. Seeing him get up for a third plate was downright unbelievable. I managed to do one and a half.

One great tip is to make sure you ask for Naan and they’ll bring over basketful upon request. There’s also a small section with fresh fruit and a few desserts. The Host’s decor could be described as old-school classy, but at lunchtime things feel more casual. It’s perfect for a noontime outing to break-up the workday. After that, head back to the office and tell your boss you’ll be spending the rest of your Friday afternoon digesting.

The Host / 14 Prince Arthur Ave., Toronto
416 962 4678 / Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri 11:45-2:30pm, Sat & Sun 12pm-4:30pm (Lunch buffet on Thursday and Friday only) Dinner Sun-Thurs 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm.

Is it possible to enjoy a hearty, reasonably priced brunch in Yorkville? Yes, indeed it is thanks to Flo’s Diner (70 Yorkville Ave.). Situated on the upper level with a lovely patio, extensive menu and swift, friendly service, Flo’s is the place to go.

According to George Michael Bluth (Arrested Development, anyone?), the most important thing is breakfast (oh, and also family). If you’re hungry and ready for some eatin’, why not head to Flo’s for their Big Breakfast ($10.95)? Complete with a Belgian waffle, two eggs, bacon, a massive sausage, homefries and toast, this will definitely get you ready for the day.

The restaurant’s retro feel and casual vibe will make you forget you’re in Yorkville (which in my eyes, is a nice thing). And if you’re not quite that hungry or on a budget, you can go for a half-order of Eggs Benedict ($5.00).

It’s just one half of an english muffin with an over-done poached egg, some ham and hollandaise. But if it doesn’t fill you up, just reach over and help yourself to the Big Breakfast you convinced your dining companion to order. Believe me, it works!

Flo’s Diner / 70 Yorkville Ave., Toronto
416 961 4333 / Mon-Wed 7:30am-8pm, Thurs-Fri 7:30am-10pm, Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 8am-8pm