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Chef's Studio Japan
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
8-709 8 Main StreetCanmore, AB T1W 2B6
(403) 609-8383
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
9 reviews for Chef's Studio Japan
9 reviews in English
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Review from Alex L.
Calgary, AB
3/13/2012
Favorite Japanese restaurant east of Vancouver. Any trip to the Rockies is not complete without a trip (or two or three) to Chef's Studio Japan. This place is the epitome of all things traditional Japanese cuisine.
Every time I have been lucky enough to eat there, the consistent quality of the food and service make my day.
The sushi, sashimi, tempura, hot pot, and noodles, I will vouch for all of it. Even being in the middle of the mountains, Chef Studio Japan has some of the freshest fish I have ever tested. While they do not carry as many exotic or rarer types of fish, I take this choice as a positive, it shows the chefs have chosen a smaller selection of extremely fresh fish than a large menu of old fish.
Please note that this is a traditional Japanese restaurant, not an izakaya or a "fusion" restaurant. That means that Chef Studio will wow you on quality and skill rather than on originality. All in all, this is the Japanese restaurant that I have set as the standard for all others.
Good eating, I know you will enjoy it. -
Review from Philippe G.
Calgary, AB
A complete Gem!!
Truly some of the best sushi I have had and down a small alley with a non-pretentious feel to it all. -
Review from Emily A.
9/19/2011
I was nervous after reading some reviews where people said they had sushi that was downright unworkable. But we've been 3 times and have yet to have anything that was subpar. I think those issues might have occurred b/c it was winter and the supply chain was disrupted, but that's pure speculation on my part.
I really like the teriyaki, but I am no expert on that. Both the salmon and the chicken teriyaki are legit cuts, not a chicken breast patty type thing. It's not a "sushi place" it's a more wide-ranging Japanese restaurant that includes sushi as well as lots of tempura, teriyaki, and some noodle dishes. The sushi can be a little sloppy, but I like it for the taste, not the stickiness, so I don't mind it too much.
While for just pure fresh food we've liked some other places in town a bit more, we've been repeat customers here b/c it is good, very filling, and can be pretty affordable if you stick to the right items. There are a lot of items I'm interested in, which hasn't really been the case with some of the fancier places - I've already tried the 1 or 2 dishes there that really interest me, and I don't necessarily need to have them again. It's a nice but relaxing, casual atmosphere if you eat in, and there are often alot of families, which you don't see much in more sushi-specific places. Service can be slow, especially when it's busy, so don't plan on eating in if you're in a hurry- they do also offer to-go service tho so try that if you're in a rush.
Ratings of course factor in location, (and other objective information like cost and menu) b/c the point of Yelp is to add that subjective element, and be comparative so you can find a place to eat in a given location, not to find the best X in the world. Of course $100/ person sushi in NYC or SF would be better, but for Banff/Canmore it's a good option. -
Review from kathy m.
8/2/2010
This is a great place...a little off the beaten path, but worth the effort. My husband, the original Chicken Teriyaki Boy, ordered the chicken teriyaki. My late mother-in-law, who taught me everything I know about cooking chicken teriyaki said, "momma says it has to be black", so I have always prepared teriyaki chicken with a crispy crust and used that as a standard when eating out. This place, Chef's Studio Japan (I'm sure it's a translation of a clever Japanese phrase--they always sound really lame in English) has completely rocked my chicken teriyaki world. It was soft and juicy, and served with an assortment of thinly sliced stir-fried vegetables. I can hardly wait to try this at home!
I ordered the sushi. When I go to a new place for sushi I usually order a California roll. Everyone has California roll on the menu and that way I can use that as a standard to judge their sushi. The sushi was pretty good (pretty, pretty, pretty good). I also had the yam tempura roll which was very tasty, but it was a fragile roll and the slices were too huge to shove into my mouth in one bite. When we tried to eat it in two bites they became messy. Even so, I'd still recommend it.
The staff was friendly and attentive and our water was kept full. If we ever go back to Canmore, we'll be sure to stop by to have our world rocked all over again.Listed in: Sushi!
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Review from W C.
9/9/2011
Before you get all excited about the 4.5 star rating on Yelp, just remember where this place is located. It's in Canmore, Alberta. That's right, the same Alberta that's known for their beef and steak. So if you are expecting fresh and large variety of sashimi and sushi then this is not the place for you. They have your typical tuna and salmon rolls, California rolls, chicken teriyaki, miso soup etc. If you expect anything more, then you will be disappointed. The food itself is not too bad, a good alternative to beef and steak but nothing too spectacular. The staff is friendly and helpful but too bad the food is just so-so Japanese. Not sure how others gave it 4 or 5 stars...
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Review from C T.
Calgary, AB
8/8/2009
Love Chef's Studio Japan! Friendly and attentive wait staff. The kitchen can be seen in the restaurant and the kitchen staff is so creative in making their dishes. For appetizers, we ordered the Green Planet roll. Delicious! So imaginative and the restaurant donates $1 towards a greener planet. For our main dish, we ordered the Issunboshi - a 10" diameter covered bowl with 2 layers of food! Pretty pricey but worth the money - started off with miso soup and suonomo (seaweed) salad. The first layer was all cooked food - tempura, endamame, cooked salmon, teriyaki chicken, a salad with corn. The second layer was a sushi and sashimi platter featuring Issun-boshi (One Inch Boy)! There is a story that goes with One Inch Boy. Ask the waiter for the story if they don't give it to you. Such a lovely story. In the end, there was icecream for dessert.
We came away stuffed and very happy. We were glad we stopped by at Chef's Studio Japan. -
Review from Neil E.
8/12/2010
We read all the awesome reviews for Chef' Studio Japan, so against our better judgement we came here anyway.
Look, you're in Canmore, AB. Alberta is known for beef. Not for Japanese food.
I didn't even bother ordering off the sushi menu. Nigiri choices were tuna, tuna, tuna, tuna, salmon, saba, scallops, and shrimp. If you're a sushi regular you know what that sushi menu means and you just move on to something else.
I had the chicken teriyaki based on the rave reviews from others. It was fine. Best in the world? Good heavens no. As good as we get from any random teriyaki joint in strip malls in Seattle? Sure, if you can swallow the Canmore pricing. As good as we make at home? Not even close.
My wife had the miso soup which was quite nice, with little bits of mushroom thrown.
Service was friendly but inattentive. Both our water glasses went dry with no refill despite several trips past the table by our server.
If you *really* need a Japanese food fix then this is a fine place to come, but just make sure your expectations are set to "Japanese food served in a high-priced little town in the middle of Alberta" not "Japanese food served in a strip mall on the west coast". -
Review from Mare B.
Calgary, AB
5/30/2010
On a recent weekend getaway to Canmore, I came across this gem of a restaurant.
Tucked away right behind the Bank of Montreal on Main street (you access it through the parking lot off Marra's Way), the establishment is cozy and charming with a very friendly staff, prompt and couteous service, and fantastic food. Since moving to Calgary, I've never found better sushi!
The menu has a wide variety of sushi and sashimi, fantastic teriyaki dishes, and a dessert menu where ice cream takes center stage. Their yam rolls in particular are a real treat!
If you're a sushi or teriyaki lover, do not miss this place! It's worth a drive to Canmore just to stop in for dinner. -
Review from Jeffrey F.
Calgary, AB
8/2/2010
My wife and I were in Canmore for a festival and decided to take a chance on Chef's Studio. It was an excellent bet; the restaurant was great. We only had the noodle soups, but they were some of the best we've had. Five stars are deserved.
