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- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
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- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
38 reviews for Alpha Global Sushi and Bar
Review Highlights
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"...pumpkin croquettes and seared salmon sashimi are standouts." In 3 reviews -
"But the Ebi Mayo here is perfectly battered, and the ebi..." In 2 reviews -
"italian spring roll - amazing." In 4 reviews
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38 reviews in English
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Review from Stephene C.
Vancouver, BC
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
GLOBAL SUSHI DOMINATION! This restaurant has made it into my list of favorite sushi eatery joints. We kind of randomly chose this restaurant with the help of the yelp app. I was craving some sushi and wanted to try a new place.
We got here at the perfect time. As soon as we entered the restaurant, the hostess informed us that we only had two hours, which was plenty of time. When we arrived the restaurant was fairly quiet, but within 5 min it was full, buzzing with conversation.
I ordered some wild salmon sashimi, a chicken teriyaki salad and their mango vancouver roll. The salmon sashimi was fresh and thawed perfectly, the chicken teriyaki salad was light and tasty, I especially like the dressing and the mango Vancouver roll was sweet and savory and hit the spot to satiate my hunger. My dishes were delcious, but the best thing of all I would have to say was their garlic pepper tuna sashimi. Damn that was good!
They also have a huge selection of alcoholic beverages. I like when restaurants list their drink mixes, it makes it so much easier ordering, rather than trying to come up with your own mixes. For my first bevy I ordered a lychee martini which was good although a tab bit strong. For my second drink I went ultra girly and ordered a strawberry fizzy, it was super good!
So happy that we randomly happened across this place, with the help of yelp!
St3Fin -
Review from Taylor K.
5/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Delicious!!! It wasn't my first time there but I haven't been here in awhile but we were walking by and we decided to pop in for lunch.
We had garlic pepper tuna(?) like everyone recommended and it was delicious. Also had the lunch sushi combo and udon. Everything was really tasty and really liked the california roll with smoked salmon on top.
The server was very friendly and attentive. He refilled our tea cups often and came by to check on us.
It has a more casual vibe then Sakana, our other top spot for sushi.
We will be back for more of those yummy tuna in the future!!! -
Review from Ken N.
Vancouver, BC
4/24/2012
I live right next to this place and I often tell my friends its great when we walk by. My friends love sushi/guu but they seem to disregard my recommendation of this place.
I don't know if it is the location, orange signage, or lacking of japanese-ness in the name that turns people off but I guess it is good for me as I can always get a seat for a meal.
I heard the chefs are former guu chefs...not sure if its true but the food is good. I really enjoy the seared salmon sashimi and most of the rolls. A lot of their cooked tapas are good as well.
Relative to other izakaya''s in downtown, this place is a great value. Try it out, you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Cheri B.
Vancouver, BC
2/27/2012
If I have to choose a restaurant that can moshi-moshi all my troubles away, then it would have to be +Alpha/plusalfa/Alpha Global. I don't know why they have so many names but that is not my point.
My point is that everything here is absolutely delish! It's more of a Western-Japanese fusion type of restaurant so it has everything for everybody. The ambience is kind of intimate and the staff is super friendly.
Let me start with my favorite dish. Tuna Garlic Pepper. I am always disappointed by other wanna be "high-end" Sushi restaurants who charges an arm and a leg for thinly sliced 4 (6 if you're lucky) pan seared tuna sashimi. Some of them are so thin that you might as well have ordered tuna from a can. So where was I? Ah yes, I was thanking the sushi gods of +Alpha for providing thick slices of tuna sashimi seared and spiced just perfectly for only $10!
Now let's move on to my other favorites. Italian Spring roll, EVERYTHING in their Meats section, Richards roll and Natto Bomb! Oh dear...Sushi run anyone?? -
Review from Chelsy W.
4/23/2012
Top of the line !!! Service impeccable. Nice, small, cozy atmosphere. California crab salad too die 4. Wish they were in the LBC :( Best I have had in a LOOOONG time
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Review from Deanna P.
Vancouver, BC
2/3/2012
This is the only restaurant in Vancouver that I would NEED to take anyone (EVERYONE) visiting.
You can order anything and I guarantee it will be delicious. I love the Daikon salad and the mentaiko udon. I crave them actually. I also recommend the dill salmon california roll and the mango vancouver roll. Also the toro pork is fantastic. And the taco rice. I could go on.
You need to try this place. -
Review from Yashar Y.
4/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Decided to try the place for dinner, and glad we did.
The inside is very clean and modern, with very comfy seats. The service was also very good and all the staff were super friendly and always had a smile on their face.
K, to food. Kaide is one block up and I was skeptical about trying the place, however Im really glad I went. Their cold dishes were our favourite, specially the Garlic Tuna Sashimi. It was delicious. We also had the prawn tempura roll and it was also very good. All in all, the food was excellent along with some yummy sauces. Four stars cause the sushi here is a bit on westernized side than authentic. Though everything was delicious, you had a feeling that this was for the large groups that dont care much about the fish itself, but the taste of sauces. Most rolls were drenched in different sauces, and although they were delicious, the taste of fish would disapear.
Try it if you are with a large group or a bunch of people that care about yummy sauces on their rolls. But for those that like authentic sushi, i would still recommend a block up and u have Kaide. -
Review from Hikaru N.
Vancouver, BC
4/25/2012
The other night I went to Alpha Global Sushi and Bar (not sure why it has such a long name) with a large group of friends as we could not make a 7PM reservation at Guu. I read quite a few reviews before choosing to go here, so I had high expectations.The rolls seemed pretty decent for the price, and I liked the Vancouver Roll as well as the Dynamite Roll. Some of my other friends had things like the Yam Tempura Roll or the Udon which seemed pretty decent as well. From a food standpoint, the sushi was completely fine, and I have no qualms. My main complaints come from the fact that it is pretty small and quite noisy, so I found it hard to have conversations.The service was also below average with them not coming around very often or being able to split up our bills separately. I will probably give Alpha another shot and hope to be proven wrong, but it did not impress me this first time around.
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Review from Erin U.
2/27/2012
great spot and close to my house, sushi is excellent and service was superb. Best of all you can fit large groups in here and drinks are cheap!
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Review from May C.
Vancouver, BC
8/4/2011
When looking for an authentic Japanese place to dine for dinner, I recommend stopping by Alpha. It's a hidden gem in the downtown Vancouver area, just outside of the Yaletown core. It has easily become one of my favourite Japanese places to dine at.
It's a smaller place, but it's quite cozy and there's cool artwork to look at. If you are there for the first time, they explain to you how to go through their menu. They add new items from time to time so there's an additional sheet they give you. With daily drink specials, you can't help but come back on different days of the week! Oh, and there is one flat screen TV by the bar. They will usually play Canucks games upon request.
The drinks and food are reasonably priced, and the quality of the food is never sub par. A few items I would recommend trying are the Tuna Garlic Pepper, Ebi Mayo (or Ebi Mayo Japon - looks like they use panko in their batter), and the Alpha's Taco Rice. The seared albacore tuna is unlike anything I've ever had. I am sometimes hesitant to order Ebi Mayo from places I'm not familiar with, simply because they can be over-battered, or the batter can taste really soggy. But the Ebi Mayo here is perfectly battered, and the ebi are a decent size. My favourite dish of all here is the Alpha's Taco Rice. Yes, it is exactly what you would imagine it to be. Surprisingly though, it's not fusion, and the dish is quite popular in Okinawa, Japan. Their sauce is what binds all the ingredients together. Before serving, remember to mix everything together so the sauce is evenly incorporated.
In addition to the food/drink selection and prices, the service is also quite impressive. The servers communicate a lot, and you never feel like you are forgotten. The only downside is that you may need to wait a bit for certain food items because they like to spend time crafting your picture perfect dishes!Listed in: Japaneeeeese
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Review from Gary M.
10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love my Japanese food!!! After living in Tokyo for two years I have grown to appreciate great sushi and Izakaya fare. I have also grown to love my neighbourhood haunts where I can go to in a moments notice and get home made food.
Alpha delivers on both fronts. It's 3.4 minutes from my house depending on the wind and traffic in my alleyway and it serves consistently fresh sushi, creative rolls as well as wonderfully hot and tasty karaage, and ebi mayo.
The beer is cold, the sake cheap (Tuesdays and Saturdays) and the staff are super friendly. TD is the bar manager and resident nice guy and the owners Kei and Usuke are always making me feel at home. The waitresses are the epitome of graceful, elegant service.
Tonight, if you make it a sushi night, I urge you... make it an Alpha Sushi night!
Sayonara, & 3-9... -
Review from Niko D.
10/3/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I live a block away from this place and did not know it existed...how foolish I have been not exploring this wonderful establishment earlier.
Upon entering the restaurant you find a very friendly Japanese girl greeting you. Behind her an equally friendly bartender. Pleasant staff check.
The menu.. Where do I begin. It has some super authentic, fusion and just plain unique plates. I didn't know where to begin... So I asked the server what the favorites were. She recommended a couple dishes which I will outline individually... I'm drilling at the thought of describing them haha.
Tuna garlic pepper. First Id like to state that I am not a huge sashimi fan but is dish is exquisite! The melody of the garlic and soya sauce, combined with the ponzu sauce and albacore...heaven almighty it was so good! Textures,flavors and the look of it just worked so well! Definitely order this dish!!!
Italian spring roll. What a unique and pleasant dish. The crunchy, lightly oiled sheath revealed a plethora of colors and flavors inside. It was a very nice dish to try, a little unorthodox but great!
Agedashi tofu. Another winner. Very good!
Alpha roll. Oh geeze it kept on getting better and better. The seafood was fresh, the veggies crisp, the rice wasn't too much, seaweed and sweet plum sauce... Just harmony on your palate.
Overall the restaurant is definitely worth the visit. Great service,food, ambiance and location! -
Review from Adrian N.
Vancouver, BC
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had a bunch of rolls, all average. Their ebi mayo was seriously sub standard soggy not crunchy. With a party of 6. We were Only impressed by one roll made off menu. Sablefish was ok but the portion was tiny. Feel like there's so many places more authentic and better for the price. Don't really understand how this place gets such excellent reviews. Sorry but not coming back...
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Review from Dani B.
10/17/2010
If you are familiar with Japanese food in Vancouver this place reminds me of a combination of the Eatery's funky creations and artistic appeal mixed in with Guu's fusion favorites.
If you don't know what I just said this place is a mix between fusion, sushi and Japanese tapas.
Their menu is hidden within books on paranormal activity and the like so while you're waiting for your food you can literally be enlightened. They have a great drink list and many creative cocktails. The wait staff are attentive and nice and willing to give great recommendations based on your taste.
Their menu is all over the place so there is something for everyone, as long as they are willing to take a risk.
I recommend the gomae, pumpkin croquettes and their vegetable roll was delicious. Everything is garnished with a house sauce and the presentation of food is really pretty too.
This place is also celebrating their anniversary so go in and take advantage of their anniversary discount while it still lasts. -
Review from Sebastian P.
Vancouver, BC
12/13/2010
Getting back home from three weeks on the road & 7 countries in asia during that time, you would think 'What is this moron doing in a sushi bar on his first day back in town?'. Well the answer is easy, this place just rocks! Friendly staff, knowledgeable about their menu, a nice location and very reasonable prices. That's what it takes to make this a neighbourhood top.
Let me add I'm usually not a big fan of rolls and prefer Sashimi and Nigiri but the Vancouver Roll (also available in the spicy variation for our 'hot' ones) is excellent. For 6$ also a real bargain. The Miso soup is not the typical instant-base one you get at every corner. They have drink specials every day of the week ranging from a pitcher of beer to a large Sake for 6.95... there's no better way to get drun... eh eat!
To those of you who drive, there is metered parking around and easily available.
Enjoy ppl!! :)
Cheers
~SListed in: Best Yaletown Foodie Spot's
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Review from Rick C.
After an early night out, the five of us were starving for some good eats. Eventually, we settled on Alpha in Yaletown.
Unfortunately, the small Yaletown eatery was packed late on a Friday night. The staff were friendly and told us it would be a half hour wait. We strolled around Yaletown for a bit before returning. Out waiter took our order early so we could eat as soon as we were seated. I enjoy little friendly touches like that.
The place looks normal enough, but it has a odd feeling to it. Our menu was inside an old textbook about the human body. There were graffiti painting adorning the walls.
The tuna garlic pepper sashimi was a great starter. I am not the biggest tuna fan, but its garlic taste and sauce was really scrumptious. The Vancouver mango rolls (California rolls with smoked salmon and mango) were tasty and hit the spot. I gave extra points for presentation.
One of my favourite dishes was the Chicken karaage. It was very filling with its large, balled up form. The meat was piping hot inside. The Mentaiko Udon was another winner of the night. The seafood and fish roe texture was smooth and creamy. The taste of it was quite scrumptious and delightful.
Part of the appeal of Alpha was May's incessant recommendation of the taco rice salad. She went on and on about it, building up its anticipation. Well, she was right. The taco rice salad was delicious. I have no idea why it is served at a sushi bar, but I could not care less. The combination of rice, lettuce, and tomatoes all messed up in a bowl with some sort of barbecue like sauce made the dish tasty.
The short ribs and other side dishes including the deep fried prawns were solid too. The beef sashimi was another raw dish served well and quite a treat to eat. The kalamari salad I thought was just okay. It did not stand out like the other dishes quite as well.
I thought this Yaletown sushi eatery provided a great late night dining experience. It has an offbeat vibe with its friendly staff and unique atmosphere.Listed in: Diverse Eateries, Sushi Time
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Review from John K.
Burnaby, BC
5/19/2011
This place is legit. Made good friends & good memories at this local watering hole. Don't tell anyone, but it's always my first date spot. I bring dudes here all the time, and never once have I brought someone here and NOT get laid. K is my man, always makin my Johnhattan for me. I got a signature drink! Only Available @ PA!
The great thing about this place is the staff, always greeting you with a warm smile and always down to drink! Then you got their one of a kind menus! Front is drinks, back is Food. With the inbetween being a book. What about? Yours to find out....
The food is amazing, it's not high class, pretentious. But it is tapas and good enough to share. They've got the normal staple canadian-japanese food (rolls, sashimi, tempura, beef ribs). But they also come up with the most amazing stuff. If you have to try one dish, it's their mexi-cali spring rolls. The other cool dish they've got is the Unagi-Tapioca (sounds odd, but believe me, it's killer) They're so inventive. Small, cozy environment and real chill music. It puts anyone at ease. Even up to their restroom, it's like you're in the comfort of your own home. It's a shame they don't do lunch like they did when the olympics were in town, but regardless, if you're looking for japanese food. This is the place to be. -
Review from Roanna Z.
10/3/2010
This place deserves the 4 stars for service, ambiance/decor and the quality and freshness of the food. I have to describe the menu as sushi fusion. I don't know what it's fused with but for one thing, Pumpkin is featured both as a dish and in a dessert.
The big guy ordered a spicy seafood Agedashi, that had rings of squid, shrimp, onion and deep fried tofu in a spicy tempura sauce. It seriously smelled divine.
For me however, I could only smell the food and look at it.
sad but true. I explained to the server about my allergies and he went to ask the kitchen about various dishes. He came back kind of laughing apologetically, explaining that the only thing on the menu I should eat is Edaname.
So I ordered a bowl. It was perfectly steamed and salted just right. Anyways, it's high in protein at least.
I enjoyed the setting, the flow of dishes drifting by our table, everything looked fabulous and there wasn't a sad face in the place. So, yes, 4 stars represents "I'm a fan" but sadly, I cannot be a fan, what I can do recommend that you become one. -
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
7/19/2009
* Hot things 4 stars. Cold things too saucy (2 stars). *
Every time I've been here the waiter always asks if you have been there before and then tries to explain the "unique" menu - but the menu is typical izakaya food.
The uniqueness is that it is in a Time/Life book and the first few pages have been glued in with drinks and the last few pages have been glued in with food. I guess they get a lot of people that are confused by that so they always ask. Odd!
We had:
- the nankotsu "kick" - I'm not sure what the "kick" stands for. But this was a nice version of nankotsu karaage (deep fried chicken cartilage). It was crispy without being greasy. It was perfectly salted without being over salted like it can be at many places. Solid dish!
- the pumpkin korokke which was a nice blend of kabocha and mashed potato deep fried in a crunchy coating. It was creamy inside and crispy outside. It had a pleasant usutaa soosu to dip into. Nice dish!
- the daikon ume salad which was julienned daikon coated in a creamy mayo sauce with hints of ume. It was covered in shredded bonito. For my taste the sauce had too much mayo and not enough ume. It is a good concept in theory but not terribly well done.
- the gomaae which had WAAAAY too much sesame. It got to the point of being pasty. Not well done at all.
- the special udon of the day which had a Thai influence coconut sauce. They had mentaiko udon as well (as they always do on the menu), but figured we'd try the daily special. Glad we did. The sauce was actually quite nice. A nice creative fusion stir-fry type dish!
- the lychee mojito special (oh my I ordered a girly drink!) had strong lychee flavour which was nice, but couldn't taste any rum at all. Humph. Serves me right.
So my conclusion is that if it involves a fryer or a stir-fry they do a great job. Cold dishes not so much. -
Review from James L.
3/25/2011
Went there at midnight with my friend for a late dinner. They were incredibly gracious and remained open & re-opened their kitchen for us! Their yellowtail & (seared) salmon toro were the best! AND generous in portion size. Their Uni was top shelf. The charcoal broiled pork melted in my mouth!! This will definitely be on the "regular" list when we visit again from the lower 48!!
I've had sushi and sashimi in lots of places including some very top shelf places in Japan...these folks can hold their own. To be fair, we have to keep a few parameters (price range) to make comparison at least equitable. This does not mean that I am backing off on my assertions about the quality of the food...it's just not fair to compare them to Kaiseki in Japan.
The absolute topper, is their service. This puts them at the head of the class! -
Review from Kai C.
8/12/2008
My friend and I found this place on a lark, while wandering the streets of Vancouver looking for a sushi joint. Without a doubt, one of the finest places I've ever had the pleasure of eating at, and I've eaten at several Japanese excellent places in my lifetime, including Hapa Izakaya in Vancouver, Sushi Sam's in SF, and in Japan itself. I'm not a huge sushi afficianado, but I know what I like. That said, Alpha completely blew me away, and has cemented, in my mind, Vancouver as one of the finest places for sushi and sashimi.
The restaurant itself is small, dark and cozy. Good for a couple of friends, or a nice dinner out with a special someone. Or, in my case, a business partner. The waitress was very sweet, friendly and helpful; she made a couple of recommendations that turned out very well.
Anyway, where Alpha Sushi really made its mark was with its sashimi. We tried the house specials Tuna Garlic Pepper and Dill Salmon Carpaccio. Both were very unique, something I've never had before, but that also did not overpower the extremely fresh and flavorful fish. Both were thick cut, close to 3/4 inches, served at slightly below room temperature, and just melted in my mouth. I imagine both fish were local and never frozen. I also had the more standard Seared Salmon Sashimi, very lightly seared, served in a light garlic ponzu sauce.
Another standout was the Natto Bomb. The waitress was actually aware enough to warn me about natto, which is a fermented bean, that I'd only heard of, but never tried. I, being the human garbage disposal I am, brushed her off, and demanded, in Homer Simpson-esque style, NATTO! Even my friend tried to warn me, but the sound of "tuna, salmon, salmon roe, squid, japanese pickle, green onion, quail egg served on fermented soybeans" was like a siren song. The bomb came out in a little bowl, beautifully presented. It was definitely interesting. I had no problems with the fish or the beans, although it did take a little getting used to. The natto was not as strong as suggested, though did have a faint salty, pungent flavor similar to fermented black beans. Mixed together with the other ingredients, it flavored nicely, salty and nose tickling, but without the soy and wasabi.
The other item we had was the tako wasabi, which became a highly sought after dish of mine in Vancouver. It came out very chilled, and very fresh. Standard fare done very well.
All in all, a very enjoyable experience was had at Alpha Sushi. Everything was extremely fresh, nothing tasted like it had ever been frozen, and the fish was seasoned just enough to give all the dishes a distinct flavor without overpowering the natural essence of the fish. I would definitely go back there whenever I am in Vancouver. Prices are slightly higher than the places on Robson, but then again, you do pay for a better quality product. Also, not being on the main strip means fewer lines and a more low key dining experience. Without a doubt, Alpha is one of those experiences that make a city a food destination. -
Review from Jerrod K.
6/13/2010
There seems to be a dichotomy among sushi lovers. On one side are people who actually enjoy real, authentic sushi. On the other side are people who might not even enjoy fish at all, but want to be able to say they love sushi. They'll order something which is filled with cream cheese, tempura bits, maybe some shredded carrot, and no fish whatsoever, then deep fried and called a "Dragon Sunshine Crunch Roll." Or something. Whatever food comes between sake bombers, to these folks, is "sushi."
Which is fine. But the problem comes when a restaurant caters solely to one or the other, and it's not obvious which until you sit down and look at a menu. Someone who wants an exciting "fusion" sushi roll will be bored at a traditional sushi place, and someone who wants actual sushi (as I was last night) will be disappointed with Alpha.
I debated my rating, since the seaweed salad, edamame, wild salmon and toro rolls and sashimi we got were actually very good, and the service was decent. But I thought I was going to a sushi place, and that wasn't the case. Just ordering was an exercise in frustration. The menu was mostly "fusion" dishes, many of which had as much to do with sushi as a plate of spaghetti. We had to actually draw a picture of a maki roll, and ask if they could make one out of wild salmon. It wasn't on the menu; no maki rolls were.
After a few more minutes of trying to order it became obvious that they had only a few types of fish on hand. No yellowtail, no eel, no roe of any kind, and certainly nothing unusual like sea urchin. They had very inventive fusion-esque combinations of things (Italian Spring Roll? Is SUSHI??), to appeal to the latter group of people, but nothing for the former group except one admittedly excellent sashimi offering.
So, if you're looking for a sake bomber or cocktail and some tasty sushi-related dishes, Alpha is a good choice. If you're looking for real sushi, you're better off looking elsewhere. -
Review from Yunn A.
10/21/2010
The service here was warm, friendly, and prompt. At one point the sushi chef came over to ensure everything was to our satisfaction. I'm not sure if this is because there weren't many people in the restaurant when we went, but either way, kudos to those who work there.
The goma-ae, age-dashi tofu and spicy tuna sashimi were very tasty :). I normally don't even like tofu, but the tofu here had the perfect crust, texture, and the ponzu sauce was a perfect tartness to compliment the tofu. This was also the case for the sashimi. Great presentation.
We also ordered a dill salmon california roll, which I was less than impressed by. It came with a mustard-y type sauce which I found didn't enhance the flavor, in fact just tasted out of place, and the roll itself was quite bland. We also had a pitcher of Sapporo, and it was the restaurant's anniversary so there was 20% off of food. So all in all, this was a decent restaurant, cozy surroundings, but nothing to really wow me or think it's unique from all the other izakayas in the city. I may return, but there's nothing compelling me to seek this restaurant out specifically. The menu could offer a little more choice, but you won't be disappointed when you do order as I did have a pleasant meal. -
Review from Ernie B.
Burnaby, BC
7/4/2010
They've become a favorite after work spot for me since I work in yaletown.
If you come here expecting a typical sushi bar, you will be disappointed, but if you come for a casual izakaya experience, it's great.
It's a lot quieter than Guu or Hapa Izakaya which is nice if you want to sit and converse with friends, have a few bites and drinks.
Favourite dishes: nankotsu kick (chicken cartilage), ebi mayo japon, grilled pork toro, dill salmon carpaccio.
Shandies and the red-eye (clamato + beer) are nice additions to the drink menu.
Overall, a good place to have a meal with friends and relax and have izakaya style food without all the commotion. -
Review from Graham D.
Vancouver, BC
4/30/2011
Service here is the bomb. I went with 6 people and we were treated like royalty. The menus are really neat in design and have a lot of cool things to try out.
I spent more than I wanted to but I think that the value is really there. -
Review from Kate A.
Vancouver, BC
6/22/2011
One of the best restaurants for parties! I held a bday party for my bf here last weekend. All the friends like the food and the ambience. As the restaurant is not big, we felt like we had the whole restaurant as our VIP room that night. We did the set menu ( $300, 10 courses) for 14 people, and we got plenty of yummy food! The drinking menu here is great too. Good sake and many original cocktails for light drinkers. I give two thumbs up for the friendly staff and the flexibility for customized set menu. The must have dishes are Salmon tataki,Spicy Tuna Prawn Roll, Bacon tofu salad and mayo udon. We have returned many times, and never get disappointed!
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Review from Chelsea J.
Vancouver, BC
12/24/2010
I started going to Alfa three years ago, and love it every time! It is definitely my favourite place to eat in Vancouver.
Favourites on the menu: chicken kara-age, pumpkin croquettes, ebi mayo, Vancouver rolls and dill salmon California rolls...all washed down with a pitcher of Sapporo. The staff is always friendly, the atmosphere of the restaurant is modern yet cozy, and the presentation (and flavours!!) of the food is wonderful.
Five stars ALL the way - every single time! -
Review from notcalvin c.
6/16/2011
love this place! with so many good japanese restaurants in vancouver, i didn't want to repeat in the few months i'm here. but, this is definitely a repeat place for me!
tonight, we had the deep-fried mozzarella cheese (slightly spicy, with a twist!), seared salmon sashimi, tuna garlic pepper sashimi, and the alpha roll. i'd say the alpha roll was fairly average (it was still good!), but everything else really was exceptionally good :)
and i plan to come back before i leave vancouver for good :) -
Review from Tyler W.
Vancouver, BC
4/13/2011
I've been going here since they opened and I've always loved it. I'm well traveled and have tried many different restaurants in Vancouver. Alpha has kept me coming back with good service and fantastic food. I often go for birthdays or work dinners and they're always a success. We're often surprised when the bill comes at how low it is versus how full and ...happy we are.
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Review from Kal B.
2/7/2011
not bad for sushi and japanese tapas
they have a 'fresh' sheet with different menu items each visit as well as a standard regular menu
very small space.. we ended up sitting at the bar and they were very accomodating.. very kind and attentive service
food was good overall but a tad pricey.. i still prefer Guu as my fave japanese tapas go-to-venue! -
Review from Ella M.
Vancouver, BC
1/6/2011
I live down the street from this place and go there all the time. It has some of the best service I've ever had - the staff is super friendly and the food always comes pretty quickly.
The best things to have are the wild salmon sashimi, tuna garlic pepper, toro sashimi (not on the menu but ask for it!) and the spicy tuna prawn roll. The gomae is really good and not too saucy and the miso teryaki beef is pretty good too.
It's a little more expensive than the average sushi place, but the food, service and ambiance are well worth it. -
Review from Mina B.
2/25/2010
not your typical everyday sushi experience. fancy it up with authentic japanese service.
the food:
miso soup $2 - your average miso
mozzarella kushi-age - mozza sticks at a sushi bar? weird. but they were good!
age-dashi tofu - good but average
italian spring roll - amazing!! but again, at a sushi bar??
avocado roll - $4.50 for the little 6 pcs inside roll. yes, it was delicious but i can get it anywhere for half the price
sake $8 - decent price for this place.
full bar totally a plus. but they should have more vegetarian rolls. i know this is not the place to get my usual $2.50 tamago and inari rolls but at least a couple more creative rolls a la "the eatery". please?
i'd love to come back if i didn't have to pay for it :)Listed in: my fav sushi places…
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Review from Matt S.
Vancouver, BC
5/28/2010
Nice spot - as others have mentioned this local diverts into other areas (Italian Spring Roles etc.), but has a nice atmosphere and relatively reasonable prices. I'd go back again.
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Review from John A.
Vancouver, BC
8/1/2009
Best dynamite roll I've had in town. A great combo of sushi and izakaya fare; pumpkin croquettes and seared salmon sashimi are standouts. Friendly service, cheap pitcher specials on Sunday and Thursday.
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Review from Harold C.
Vancouver, BC
3/29/2009
I like to go to this izakaya-style restaurant with a group of friends for drinks and share a bunch of dishes. Their menu is cleverly printed inside of books from the Time/Life series on the paranormal. They have a good lycheetini and an ok sake selection. I always order the yaki-soba and the karaage, and The rolls are good as well. It's nothing to go crazy about, and nothing really distinguishes it, but it's reliably tasty and the service is friendly.
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Review from Dean C.
Vancouver, BC
2/14/2010
A few of us guys come here often on Thursdays for beer and BS. We watch some hockey, and chat with other regulars, which there is a lot of. The Tuna garlic pepper is excellent, and the chicken keraage is the best I have had in Vancouver. And there is something soothing about the Taco rice that I love. Keisuke the owner is a great bartender and he mixes some amazing martinis and cocktails.
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Review from matt p.
Vancouver, BC
3/14/2010
Love this place. Crazy fusion dishes!
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Review from Amy C.
Vancouver, BC
3/10/2011
hey guys..its been a while since i've been back but i am craving the best unagi roll in BC..for u guys who haven't been here, they make the savouriest rolls and noodles and drinks are off the hook!!service is always top and fast..thank you and i hope u guys stay open for a long time!!
