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Yuzu Sushi & Sake Bar
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
236 Adelaide St WToronto, ON M5H 1W7
Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Downtown Core
(416) 205-9808
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 10:30 pm
Sat 12 pm - 11:30 pm
Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
63 reviews for Yuzu Sushi & Sake Bar
Review Highlights
"For dessert, I recommend black sesame ice cream."
(in 6 reviews)
"Green Tea Tiramisu or Green Tea Ice Cream -- Doh."
(in 5 reviews)
"One of the best spots for fresh sashimi in Toronto."
(in 16 reviews)
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63 reviews in English
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Review from John M.
Toronto, ON
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
The best sushi I have had in Toronto.
Five year anniversary. A big deal. And we both love sushi, have bonded over it, argued about it and even had fun making it at home. We're serious about sushi, but not the kind of high roller that can throw down cash for omakase. Thankfully, the set dinners at Yuzu were fantastic.
We started with a bottle Sho Chiku Bai Ginjo sake - it was served chilled and great both on its own and as an accompaniment. It was very clear and clean tasting, with just a hint of citrus. Some sake drinkers might want something with a bit more flavour, but I was quite happy with this sake's neutrality and subtle flavour.
for appetizers we had a few items that aren't on their website's menu. The scallop croquettes were very light and focused on the flavour of the scallop. Getting good scallops in Toronto has seemed liked a losing battle. Not at Yuzu. I just wish we got more than three. Most people eat out in even numbered groups - two and fours. Why do restaurants always serve appetizers which everyone is going to share in odd numbers?
We also had koma gyoza - gyoza with duck instead of pork! I thought these were amazing, The gaminess of the duck really pushed the gyoza to another level. The duck meat is inherently fatty, making a fried dish even greasier. that's fine for an app but I couldn't eat an entire meal of these.
For my main course I had the sushi deluxe dinner. A dozen nigiri pieces along with a tempura roll. Each piece of nigiri had an artistic garnish on top. The plating was gorgeous. The standout pieces were the butter fish and the seared tuna. A truly excellent meal!
Any complaints? A few minor things - the room was a little too cold and background music was better suited for an elevator. I'd prefer less Kenny G and more Japanese super jazz. To compensate the minor complaints, they had some AMAZING movie posters downstairs by the washrooms - a Japanese Amelie one-sheet, an Italian Rashomon poster (Rasciomon by Achirwa Curosawa!) and a poster for Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood for Love. Whoever picked those posters has excellent taste.
Would I go again? In a heartbeat. I'm already looking forward to my next meal here. They've spoiled me. I never want to have cheap sushi ever again.Listed in: The Best
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Review from Jonathan W.
Calgary, AB
2/9/2012
Very comfy, dim lighting makes for an urban lounge feel.
This is the extensive of Japango but it doesn't quite match up and the prices are steep. The sushi/sashimi is fresh and delicious with great presentation. The oyster shooter was so-so. I did appreciate the agedashi tofu which was presented well.
A hot seafood bowl and udon came out hot but bland. Topped it off with some real black sesame ice cream.
Overall, decent fish for a high price point. Expense it? -
Review from Pascal P.
Toronto, ON
1/14/2012
from reading the reviews on Yuzu I was really excited to try it. I was not overly impressed. They had absolutely no wine selection...literally house red and house white. The service was extremely slow. The food itself was good.
Koma gyoza- 7/10
salmon nigiri sushi- 8/10
butterfish nigiri sushi 8/10
salmon and green onion maki 8/10
spider roll- 2/10 it was the whole spider...not my cup of tea
repeat:no -
Review from Saki L.
Brampton, ON
2/6/2012
Ate here once a couple of months ago for an anniversary dinner. It was recommended by my cousin and she was right. Pretty darn good.
Employees were all very attentive and friendly. My tea cup was never empty. As soon as we ordered the dishes never stopped coming and they were well timed. Bf and I ordered a 7 course meal, with many extra fixings on the side (being a special occasion and all) including: deluxe sashimi plate, oyster shots, etc.
Presentation was excellent. Not one leaf was off, everything was carefully put together. How more impressive can it get when you order the Yuzu roll and it's literally sitting on a bed of fire? Beautiful stuff!
A bit pricey, but since it was for a particular occasion and it is located downtown I wouldn't expect anything less. So be prepared to shell out a bit more.
By the end I had such a great time I even filled out a survey on my experience and genuinely thanked my server because it was some of the best service I've had in awhile. -
Review from Suzie S.
Toronto, ON
1/12/2012
I went to Yuzu sushi recently for a very special celebratory dinner (after reading all of its rave Yelp reviews).
The reviews were dead on as the food at Yuzu was beyond delicious!
We started our meal with the melt-in-your mouth tuna tartare... Having just recently returned from a vacation to Hawaii where raw pickled tuna is the standard fare, the tuna tartare was a welcome start to our meal. Next, we had the calamari starter which was simply ok as it was akin to the $5 calamari starter dishes at cheaper sushi restaurants (it wasn't all that tender, and there was nothing all that extraordinary about its flavour).
We then moved on to the sashimi platter, which I'd highly recommend. Salmon, tuna, butterfish, shrimp and scallop were the chef's offerings for the day (3 pieces of each). All were divine, but the raw scallops soaked in lemon juice were the to-die-for item...
Next, we had the signature yuzu maki, which was a tad on the expensive side (close to $20 for the roll), but very much worth the price. The roll was presented beautifully and was served aflame. It included a lovely blend of different types of fish, and quite the variety of flavours.
Finally, we finished off with the black sesame ice cream (as quite a few reviewers had raved about it) - To me, it was just alright (it tasted very much like a peanut butter cup).
In terms of décor - Yuzu is quite modern, dark, clean-lined. The service was good, though not out of this world. My only complaint would be the music - Is there really a need to play loud club music at a restaurant on a Monday night? It just didn't jive with the feel of the restaurant. Though, the server did ask us if we wanted her to turn the music down... and, we said yes please.
Overall though, I highly recommend Yuzu to all the sushi lovers in Toronto! -
Review from Danielle L.
2/10/2012
I really love this restaurant. There is nothing defective or bad, really. From the green tea, house salad, miso soup to the sushi plate, everything that I had in this restaurant was perfect. Even music in this restaurant was excellent. :) I am a fan of Japanese foods and kind of picky for choosing restaurants, but I love this restaurant. The chefs and servers are all Japaneses and this is not the fake Japanese restaurant operated by Chinese or Koreans. Authentic. When I travel Toronto again, I will definitely have a lunch or dinner again.
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Review from Boaz D.
1/3/2012
Pros:
Sushi and sashimi are fantastic
Very central location
Staff very friendly and professional
Great atmosphere
Cons:
Expensive (up to $15 for one roll)
Overall, giving it 5 stars. If you can afford the $100 dinner+drinks for two, I recommend it. -
Review from Q H.
North York, ON
12/29/2011
My second favorite sushi place in Toronto. This place is a sushi-gasm!
The appetizers are a nice mix of traditional Japanese and Western influences. Seared scallops say it all. Tuna tartare is very refreshing with subtle tastes. Both dishes have sophisticated flavors.
Chirashi is priced very nicely. Sashimis are fresh and sized satisfyingly. The rice was rather toned down with less use of vinegar and sugar, but I enjoyed its natural flavor. The noodles are hidden gems. The taste is very refined and soothing.
Sashimi selection is excellent as well. They have sea urchins, hamachi, fluke and breams. They are all high quality.
The decor is bright and uplifting with some accents of natural wood colors adding seriousness. Tables are decent sizes but they are placed a bit too close to each other. Seat comfort is average. Noise level can a bit high, but you can have conversations in normal tones. Servers are very kind and attentive. Overall, there is a sense of substantialness and classiness in the restaurant that is not found in other Japanese restaurants in Toronto.Listed in: Sushi
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Review from Jess B.
1/12/2012
Disclaimer: Only sushi place i have been to in Toronto but I go to sushi at least twice a month is SF, CA & have been to some of the best in NYC & Hawaii..
I LOVED THIS PLACE!! I ordered the Sushi Deluxe. The plating was beautiful and the way the fish was enhanced by the garnishes was beyond amazing.
Next time I come its Omakase time baby!
one small thing not related to the food... I love to interact with the chefs and they werent the friendliest bunch.. -
Review from Antonia W.
Toronto, ON
12/22/2011
Came here for a special b-day celebration and it hit all the right notes ~ great food, pretty presentation, friendly professional service. I really could find no fault in our dinner that night.
We made reservation the day of and were seated right away. We sat at the tables right across from the bar, where there were three sushi chefs that day. It was still early in the night.. 5:30.. but by 7 the place was reasonably full. The tables are a little close together when they're set for couples. I felt like I was unintentionally eavesdropping on our neighbour's conversation even when I was trying my best not to.
We shared the chirashizushi deluxe ($29), dragon roll($13), tuna roll ($6), and the oyster shooter ($7) for the bday boy. Pretty sake cocktail and Kirin beer rounded out the order. Oyster shooter came out first. I'm no oyster fan so I passed on this one but I had heard awesome comments about this from random sites. He downed the shooter as one and I let him chew through it all before asking how it was. Contrary to all I'd heard, he just thought it was okay but he wouldn't order it again. Main critique was he didn't enjoy the texture/taste of the completely raw egg. We both love raw egg yolks so I was surprised by that comment, but there you have it. I think the raw egg white is what did it. On to the sushi and sashimi... all the fish tasted really fresh and had good texture. They use shiso to decorate the platter and the wasabi paste they use has a gritty texture that i really like.
Sweet end to the night with black sesame ice cream and green tea cake! As a side note for black sesame ice cream fans, this one is not the super elusive black sesame ice cream. It's the black/greyish one. -
Review from Cheryl C.
Scarborough, ON
12/10/2011
WOW.
I came here for lunch on a weekday with a couple of people. I shared the Sushi/Sashimi for two and it was fantastic. There was a good selection, the fish was fresh, and it looked like art, as though the chef carefully considered where each piece was supposed to go. The third person at my table ordered the Double Decker Bento Box, and the staff was great in offering her options to meet her dietary restrictions. The result also looked wonderful.
That was a really long review. Because really, it just boils down to
WOW. -
Review from Gord C.
Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Thanks yelpers, great sushi and service. Being from Vancouver, I didn't expect to find great sushi in Toronto on a cold Sunday night, but you had my back!
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Review from Yi Hung C.
Toronto, ON
1/23/2012
Came here with the CTO of the company.. great service, great food, great atmosphere!
The food was absolutely amazing.. and since it was on the company, I cannot complain on the 1600 dollar bill at the end of the meal. (we had a table of 12)
Yuzu is definitely a place to go for a special night out. =) -
Review from Maheen M.
10/2/2011 3 photos
I took my sister for her birthday dinner to Yuzu. I would have to say it is one of better sushi places in Toronto.
Food
Squid rings - aka calamari rings - very good, they used a panko crust and it was not overtly grease. The sauce it came with was not very memorable.
Tuna tartare - one word - wow. Well balanced with avocado and dressing. I could not stop eating it, the only downside was that I had to share.
Sushi & Maki rolls - so fresh and delicious. The Sashmi melts in your mouth. We ordered the green river roll and red dragon roll, both were excellent.
Dessert
Black sesame ice cream - oh so good, it is like a peanut butter type ice cream. A bit salty yet sweet. Do not be turned off by the colour, this ice cream might change your life.
Service
Quick to order and attentive. Our plates were cleared without asking. I was impressed.
Atmosphere
Kinda funky, dimly light and very asian inspired. It was packed on a Friday night. I would recommend this place for a romantic dinner night out.
Price
For 3 - the bill was $140 with tip and tax. Great food and service, it was worth the money.
If you are in the Entertainment district and craving some good sushi, check out Yuzu!Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge, Sushi, Date Night
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
I know it is kind of strange! I been recommending people to go Yuzu, even recommending people to take their dates here if one want to impressed them with good Japanese food... and I have not been here until now!!!
Lunch Specials serving till 3:00 pm, great to come here for a late lunch. Restaurant was kind of half empty when I got here around 2:00 pm.
Chirashi Zushi ($17) was excellent. Great mixture of fish and all really fresh. I enjoyed that in silence....... it didn't bring tears in my eyes, but it was good enough!
Black Sesame Ice Cream ($4) was a great finish for my lunch.. I want to try the green tea brulee next time!!!
Service was polite and attentive.
I want to come back and try out other items on the menu!! -
Review from anjali d.
Toronto, ON
1/3/2012
Sooo good. Overall quality of all the dishes is very high. The rolls are expensive, but I felt like they were extremely big.filling..is it just me? I loved the tuna tataki and the eggplant, well I loved everything I ordered including the green tea creme brulee. I would say that the spicy tuna roll and spicy salmon roll (with the tempura bits on top) had a spicy sauce that was a touch too acidic (however, thankfully, no mayo). My favorite spicy tuna roll is from Tokyo Sushi on St.Joseph Street.
Overall, I think this could be my favorite Toronto sushi place! Yes, it is expensive, but it is still think it is cheaper and much better quality than other "high end" sushi places ahem Ki, Asuka. -
Review from Vivian W.
11/8/2011
I finally came here in May 2011 with a friend that came and visit me from HK. I knew about this place because I used to go to Japango a lot and the owner of Japango told me he opened another restaurant - Yuzu.
Food Quality - is excellent. Raw fish was very fresh, presentation of the dishes were so delicate.
Environment - decent size for a downtown restaurant, contemporary renovation.
At the end of the dinner, the chef recognized us from being his regular customer at Japango. He came and said hi to us and even brought us a nice cocktail for each of us. It was a wonderful night, and we all had a good time, especially an unexpected re-union of old friends. Too bad I don't quite remember how good the food taste, because I was too busy talking and didn't get to try the food until it was cool off on the table....but I will definitely go back again. -
Review from Baby P.
Toronto, ON
10/6/2011 1 photo
Can't believe I haven't rated my favourite Japanese restaurant yet. I think everything is impeccable here - the decor, service, ambiance and most importantly the food. I have yet to be disappointed.
The fish is super fresh, but I enjoy their maki rolls the most. The different ingredients combine together to give the rolls a unique taste.
What I love best here though?. The black sesame ice-cream! It's the real deal here, made with real black sesame and not just vanilla ice cream with black sesame. I can't find anywhere else that carries the same (even at T&T). If you do know where they get their ice cream, please let me know! -
Review from Adrienne L.
Toronto, ON
11/6/2011
We came here for the omakase, and it was such a treat. We had about eight courses, each beautifully presented. The only one we struggled with was an entire fish fried in tempura batter. Not only was it cold, but it was difficult to eat, having small bones. We weren't told what kind of fish it was. which is the only other comment/suggestion we have - it'd help to have some description or explanation of the omakase. Besides the tempura fish, we absolutely loved everything else.
The ambience was great and the service was generally excellent. We came in on a Wednesday night and it was busy throughout our 2.5 hour stay. Definitely coming back here- easily the best Japanese we've found so far in the neighbourhood! -
Review from Leslie W.
BOTTOM LINE: Their omakase is actually quite good and a good bang for your buck, but it's marred by some inconsistency in quality and a little "je ne sais quoi".
(3.5 STARS)
First, let me say that this review is written in direct comparison to Kaji - *my* gold standard.
Second, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the omakase to anyone who's enjoys creativity, isn't a picky eater and wants quality Japanese downtown.
Third, however, for $10 more, I would recommend the $80 Kaji omakase instead - it's debatable whether their $120 (and 14 course meal) is $50 better - but you'll need trek out onto the Queensway for that.
Yuzu's omakase consists of an 8 course meal which includes a sashimi and sushi platter along with warm or cold dishes as per the chef's choice and one that usually follows seasonal availability.
Yuzu's sashimi (as expected) was excellent in quality and freshness that was compariable to Kaji's. Some of their memorable dishes included their oyster shooter with quail's egg (but also available on their regular menu so not really specific to their omakase...) and their sea food and mushroom broth served in a tea pot. Their green tea tiramisu was amazing, obvi.
The devil's in the details and this is where Yuzu falls a bit short:
1. Yuzu's presentation was good, sometimes great, but Kaji is a continual visual feast with each dish submitted to meticulous detail and attention.
2. Kaji tends to present with more creativity and "wow factor" even when it's as simple as hollowing out vegetables to house the main dish. Kaji courses also tend to follow a "theme of the night ingredient".
3. The quality of some of the dishes were inconsistent (e.g., their tempura was actually soggy! This is the second time I've had their soggy tempura!)
4. We felt rushed by their service. Throughout the night, staff would take away completed dishes from the first person and would hover or inquire as to when the second person would finish.
I'd probably go back for Yuzu's omakase at some point, but not before trying Japango (their sister restaurant, and definitely a place that can make their tempura lightly battered and crispy!), Sakura and, in all likelihood, Kaji again. -
Review from Janice L.
Thornhill, ON
10/11/2011
I was here for my gf's birthday last week and it was amazIng.
The food was awesome. The ingredients were so fresh and the presentation was fantastic. The restaurant was very clean and the ambience was nice cool and cozy.
Food
Eda mame - cooked perfectly with the right amount of salt
Tuna tartare - sooo fresh and yummy. I dont normally eat tuna but this dish was great
Make and sushi combo - again, the ingredients were so fresh and presentation was beautiful
Cod - the presentation was so nice but the taste was even better!
Creme brulee - the absolute best creme brulee i've had. I would go back just to have this again!
Overall, I think this is one of the better sushi places in the GTA area, I would defintely recommend it, whether it is for a date, dinner with friends or just to grab some quality sushi. -
Review from Rob B.
Toronto, ON
1/16/2012
Went on a Monday night. It was really quiet. The service was great. The server was casual and helpful. The Sake selection is pretty good. We focused on sashimi with some grilled black code and soft-shell crab. Everything was good. As with most sushi restaurants (almost all now?) I wonder how cold (or frozen) the fish has been over it's travel from wherever to Toronto. But the fish was tasty and nicely cut. We also did uni and quail eggs and those were very nice. The black cod was great. I would definitely return and recommend.
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Review from Archimedes T.
Toronto, ON
Went here with a friend to try out a new place downtown. Since this was a Japanese restaurant, I used my benchmark dish "Chirashi don".
The dish was pretty expensive at $17 before taxes. However, this is by far the best one I have had. They even use real edible shiso leaf to separate the ingredients and not the plastic version.
I think it can do with two slight changes.
* change the white tuna to something else. Not sure why, but I find white tuna just cheapens the dish.
* deep fry the shrimp head, it's such a waste to use it as decoration when it can be eaten.
However, the food quality is so good, it had earned a place in my reasons to go downtown list.Listed in: Reasons to go to downtown…
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Review from Rafi N.
Toronto, ON
8/14/2011
The best sushi I've ever had! Yuzu is an authentic Japanese restaurant with traditional decor. The service and food are superb. The price is what you would expect for such an experience.
*** FOOD ***
We ordered dumplings to start and had a sushi platter so that we could try a variety of their offerings. We drank sake and finished with ice cream.
* Gyoza | $7.00*
The dumplings were good. The dough is soft, but has a bit of crunch from being seared in a pan. The filling is tasty and piping hot since it was freshly made.
* Sushi | $21.00 *
This main dish was the chef's selection of 8 pieces of nigiri and 6 pieces of maki. There were several different types of nigiri, but they were all good. The fish was fresh and melted in my mouth. Some pieces had extra toppings like lotus root. The portion size was just right. This meal was amazing because of its simplicity and tastiness.
* Black Sesame Ice Cream | $4.00 *
The ice cream was really good. It was rich and creamy. It has a slight taste like peanut butter, but a little smoky. It is a bit sweet, but not overpowering.
*** SERVICE ***
Service was great! I had reservations, but I came a bit early. Our server, Heidi, quickly got us a table. Seeing a free table next to the window, she offered it to us although it meant she would have to rush to clean it up, which she did. When it was time to order drinks, she was very helpful with her recommendations. Heidi was very attentive and checked on us periodically. She was a lot more sociable than most servers at Asian restaurants. I really enjoyed the service.
*** ATMOSPHERE ***
Yuzu is a fancy looking restaurant. It has traditional Japanese decor. The furniture is all dark and wooden and so are the floors. The restaurant is clean. The lighting is dim but still bright enough to read and see other people, which is perfect for some intimacy.
*** PRICE ***
Pricing is moderate. The quality of food and the great service will make you feel that you got your money's worth. Note: the total below is for dinner for 2.
* Gyoza | $7.00*
* Sushi | $21.00 *
* Black Sesame Ice Cream | $4.00 *
* Hakutsuru Ginjo Sake | $19.00 *
** Total (AT&T) | $105 **
*** EXPERIENCE ***
Yuzu is a great Japanese experience. The food is amazing and the look and feel is very authentic. The service is great and very inviting even if you're new to eating sushi or Japanese food in general. Anyone who likes sushi or would like to try it should start here.Listed in: Diamonds in the Rough
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Review from Lauren M.
Well slap me sideways and call my Sally, this place is AMAZING!
Yuzu is surely the nicest Japanese food I have eaten in Toronto. (Japango-wha?? Seriously!)
The sushi dinner I ate here consisted of 8 pieces of assorted nigiri and 6 pieces of California maki roll. I'm still fantasizing over how incredible the nigiri was. The fish was incredibly fresh and easy to nibble in half. It really does melt in your mouth just like butter. Each nigiri piece was topped with a small garnish, many which added a subtle umami component to the overall taste.
The food here also comes artistically presented; it's almost a shame to destroy by eating it. Such beauty! (Bring your camera)
Decor here is dark and kind of romantic. Not too many tables and sushi bar is set up towards the back.
Service was very friendly with a few minor blunders but nothing that detracted from the dining experience.
For booze, Yuzu has decent sake selection, lots of fun cocktails (I had a sake sangria which was lovely), some beer and wine.
Yuzu in my dreams, baby -
Review from Alicia T.
Toronto, ON
10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Small portions, not small prices but truly yummy. I had the black cod and was very, very happy with it. My buddy's steak looked delicious. The sashimi platter was delicious.
The acoustics are crappy in the restaurant and, initially, I could barely hear my friends over the house music they were playing. I eventually asked them to turn the music down and they actually did. Then apologized to us. Nice. That never happens. Nice! That never happens :-) -
Review from Bahi K.
Scarborough, ON
8/19/2011
Met up with a couple of old friends to catch up over a meal, and I don't think I could've picked a better place. As one of my friends pointed out, restaurants on this stretch of Adelaide have to rely on being exceptionally good for customers since they're not going to be getting the walk-in fare. Perhaps it is no surprise to find such standouts as Khao San Road, Ravi Soups and Yuzu on such a narrow stretch of Adelaide street.
We tried the edamame, avocado & tuna, shrimp tempura, a few rolls, some sashimi (otoro, hamachi and sake), the unagi fire roll (served flaming and delicious). The otoro was quite expensive ($22 for 3 pieces) but delicious, and the hamachi was as good, perhaps better, but considerably cheaper ($8 for 3 pieces). By the time we tried to order more, they were finished.
All told, the service was excellent, the meal was reasonably priced ($60/person including tip for a meal that included sake) and tasty, and the atmosphere was fairly quiet. -
Review from David P.
Toronto, ON
12/13/2011
Amazing Japanese dining experience!
This is definitely the best Japanese meal I have ever had in this city. I've eaten at many of the 'high-end' Japanese places and for similar prices, this is by far a better value.
Everything just tastes 'extra fresh' and is presented beautifully. Excellent Sake selection and great service. -
Review from David S.
Toronto, ON
12/3/2011
One of the best spots for fresh sashimi in Toronto! Think Japango food with the ambiance of a hip club/lounge. The obvious star dish is the $18 Yuzu Maki that comes with its own flaming display. It's delicious and should be experienced at least once. We also had the soft shell crab appetizer which was very light and crispy. The two sauces it was accompanied with were also good. The butterfish and scallop sashimi stood out but they were all excellent in their own right. We wanted to try the Sake cheesecake but they were all out. We "settled" for the green tea Tiramisu, which did not disappoint! We'll be coming back to Yuzu soon!
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Review from Mark P.
Toronto, ON
8/12/2011 1 photo
Seriously overrated Sushi place. It wasn't bad, don't get me wrong but I truly have had better value for the taste elsewhere. I was here the other day a bit after lunch (ten to three). And although the lunch special was still supposed to be going on until three, I wasn't told about it and thus ordered from the regular menu. Other than that service was speedy (considering me being the only guest).
After some cogitating I picked as opener salmon skin rolls, which usually come crispy and crunchy but these ones were rather chewy and gooey. The main course was decidedly the salmon teriyaki and after asking if it came with sides (I was hungry) I expected something like a bento box selection of goodies, with tempura of some sort, but nope (see picture). The grilled salmon was slightly overcooked, the rice rather sticky and bland instead of fragrant and the side dishes were a pun-less joke (single bites of marinated veggies with half a plumb tomato, not actually ghastly but I felt far too pretentious. I don't remember telling them I was on a diet or anything.
The place is a tad dunkel with dark wood and interior.
For the price I expected a bit more although service was quite ok. I may try it again some time to double-check but with so much sushi choice in Toronto it will certainly be a longer than short while. -
Review from Vivek S.
4/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
We slipped into Yuzu Sushi on a dark and rainy Sunday night. It's a attractive loft space in the Entertainment District with exposed brick, lots of wood, and elegant flourishes in their decor. Definitely a great spot for a date.
Service as particularly attentive that night as it was not very busy. This allowed my date and I to peruse the selections thoroughly. The large menu is separated into categories like hot and cold starters, mains, sushi and sashimi, rice dishes, and noodle dishes. You could also order things à la carte I suppose, but who does that?
Though my DC was skeptical, I was intrigued by the pork belly. Expert call by me. It was tender, flavourful, and fatty -- in a good way.
For our mains I opted for the sashimi deluxe (21 pieces for $35) and my date got the Yuzu bento ($30): a double-decker box with sashimi, sushi, teriyaki and two sides. Picky eaters should note: most sashimi is "chef's selection." I wasn't 100% thrilled about my picks, but I gotta say it was all really solid fish. Very fresh and succulent.
I will definitely return. I'd love to try some of the more experimental options like the oyster shooters, or the omokase, a "chef designed multiple course meal." Neat.
Obligatory Title Pun: YUZU looking at me?
Menu Readability: Century gothic. All right.
Need to mention: Sapporo on draught.
What this place teaches me about myself: It's hard to turn down pork belly. Try me!Listed in: I think I'm turning Japanese
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Review from ness y.
Toronto, ON
12/8/2011
even when i hear about all the "you really oughta go!" restaurants that toronto offers, i always, always prefer to go to my favourites. yuzu is a favourite, where i happily dine at least once a month (maybe more).
i really enjoy the chirashi and hae dup bap when i'm hungry, and sashil/sushi are good for when i need to feel light. this isn't often about relative portion size, it's because yuzu chefs provide a delicious butter sauce that i like to use with hot foods, which packs a punch in terms of flavour and heft in your belly.
i'd like to see a wider selection of wine by the glass because my companions usually don't drink (can't share a bottle) or have sake (which i don't drink).
the service is almost always fantastic and i love that it's not so highly frequented in the evening since that's usually when i can go. it stays quiet and perfect for convo. lunch time is another story though. be forewarned, you may not find a seat during the typical work week lunch hour.
as you may know, yuzu is related to japango. though it's not on the menu, you can order japango rolls at yuzu too! -
Review from Yukari P.
Victoria, BC
10/16/2011
I was visiting Toronto, and meeting up with a friend from Montreal. She picked this restaurant based on the reviews on Yelp, and I am so glad she did. I am Japanese, living in BC, so have pretty low expectation when it comes to sushi in Ontario(sorry!) But this was great. We had edamame, scallops with shimeji, assorted sashimi, and spicy tuna rolls. SO good. Very sophisticated and creative. Loved the black sesame ice cream, too. Will definitely be back next time I'm in TO.
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Review from Angela S.
Etobicoke, ON
4/25/2011
If you've been turned away at Japango, head over to Yuzu. It's the sister location that has a much larger dining space. My love for Japango is now shared with Yuzu.
My usual dishes are the agedashi tofu which is lightly fried then served in a dashi broth. Yum! Sushi deluxe has a nice assortment of their special sushi and your standard fare. BC tuna and butterfish are amazing especially since they use a torch it to give it a nice flavour.
I've taken colleagues there who are apprehensive to raw fish and everyone has enjoyed it immensely. Every dish is well presented and is extremly fresh. If you have the time I recommend the omakase. It's quite the experience with soups, oysters, sushi, sashimi, salads (it goes on and on). We took the parents there for Valentine's day and they were blown away with the creativity beyond sushi and sashimi.
For dessert, I recommend black sesame ice cream. It sounds odd but it is off the hook!! Caution, might turn your lips black so eat delicately. I'm not really into sweets or ice cream but I can eat a whole order myself.
This is the only restaurant that I will go to for sushi (besides Japango) in the city. The staff and sushi master Bruce are very friendly and always attentive. My hubby and I are regulars there and have our own little set of chopsticks each time we visit. That alone makes our experience that much more special. -
Review from Huntting B.
6/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I always feel bad leaving a review for a place that is going to bring down the average, particularly when the staff were kind and the experience was decent overall.
I, unfortunately, have to leave this at an A-OK. The fish itself was fresh but cut in such a way that all the pieces of sashimi were chewy. The food itself was relatively inexpensive, which is great but really nothing stood out about the meal. The duck dumplings were way too tough on the inside, the spicy tuna roll was totally meh and had nothing of note to it either.
The service was very good though.
The last thing of note. They have a green tea creme brule that sounds awesome, unfortunately they only make the custard once a week, and they had run out. It seems the time to go here, if you want that, is on Thursday or Friday, come Monday or Tuesday their stock seems to have disappeared. I would normally take this as a cue, for the restaurant, to make more of it, but perhaps they don't typically sell out. Regardless, I'm told that this is rather typical for a restaurant, so it didn't factor into my rating, though it did leave me with an un-green-tea-custard-filled-mouth. -
Review from Jen C.
Firstly, I need to say: sushi purists need not apply - Yuzu is not that kind of place. What you will find are delicious creations, raw and cooked, that are beautifully presented. Most importantly, the fish is fresh and the rice is consistently solid (with an occasional blip here and there).
Every time I go (which is often), I am always happy to be sitting at the bar, talking to the chefs, and eating some really tasty sushi. Tonight's hand roll was especially lovely; the nori was delicate and crunchy, and the texture of spicy tuna, shrimp, and avocado makes me want to eat another one right now.
Other favourites include the salmon belly, seared madai, the chawanmushi, and their oyster and uni shooters (something every Yuzu/Japango initiate should try).
I'm currently at 173 photos from Yuzu... and counting. -
Review from Leigh D.
9/27/2011
Sushi has a lot of garnish.
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Review from Amy L.
9/20/2011 12 photos
Yuzu is at a whole different level when it comes to sushi, and that's the main reason why I absolutely adore them - making them my favourite sushi restaurant in Toronto. I'm sorry Nami, you're amazing but I discovered something better along the way ;)
This review will cover two visits since I didn't get the chance to write about my first experience by the time I went for my second :D Just west of University Ave on Adelaide St. is where you will find one of the most refined Japanese restaurants in the city. The sushi chefs at Yuzu are capable of stealing your little hearts away with their outstanding techniques and an original interpretation of the classic sushi. Their food so aesthetically appealing with the use of only fresh ingredients, Yuzu elevates the traditional sushi to an added touch of elegance. They maintain the true essence of sushi and demonstrate a strict level of respect by not adding any unnecessary ingredients to their dishes. The restaurant itself is clean and contemporary, with bottles of sake lined up neatly along the slots in the walls. I don't care for sophisticated and fancy Japanese restaurants that are incapable of delivering high-quality and fresh food to their customers.
On my first visit with Kim, we went during lunch time and I ordered a Chrirashizushi ($17). The sushi chefs so meticulous in creating a breath-taking presentation with such tiny details, their perfectionism won me over. Not only was I impressed with the presentation of their take on Chrirashizushi, the quality of their fish and their rice preparation blew me away. I was speechless. The sashimi so fresh and soft, they melted in my mouth. Another significant component of a Chirashizushi is the rice. As I mentioned in my Sushi Couture review, it's crucial that the rice is prepared well since there's so much of it - its taste and texture is far more noticeable than let's say, in a nigiri. Some places use not enough rice vinegar, others don't add enough water resulting in overly dry rice; Yuzu distinguishes themselves from the rest with their superior rice preparation. Moist, but not wet. Flavourful, yet not overwhelming. Their rice really stood out to me as I indulged in their Chirashi, because it was that exceptional. To me, Yuzu is home to the most delicious Chirashizushi in Toronto. How naive of me to think that I knew what perfect really meant, before I even experienced Yuzu ;D
Kim chose Sushi Lunch ($17) that consisted of 8 pieces of nigiri and 6 pieces of maki. Again, look how careful the sushi chefs were in ensuring that every single piece of nigiri was topped with different ingredients. They not only added flavour, but texture that complemented the nigiri. Delicately fried shoe-string onions, lotus root, and sesame seeds that only crusted a portion of the sake (salmon) are evidence of Yuzu's exemplary approach that I've been trying to describe in this entire post. Like me, Kim was fascinated with Yuzu's incomparable quality.
Note that at the beginning of this review, I kept emphasizing that Yuzu is at the top of my list when it comes to sushi, because they really do excel in it. It's dessert where they fall short. I don't expect their dessert to be as perfect as their sushi because rarely do we find places that master everything on their menu, where every dish is scored 5/5.
When we saw both Green Tea Crème Brûlée ($6) and Green Tea Tiramisu ($7) on their dessert menu, Kim and I knew we had to order them. The crème brûlée did have enough green tea flavour and was creamy in texture, but the sugar crust on top failed to crack properly. Aside from the rich and creamy custard, what excites crème brûlée lovers most is the part where we get to stab (or crack) the hardened caramel with our spoon. Tiny pieces of sweet goodness that resemble glass are created and we make sure that every bite includes a piece of caramel as well as the smooth custard. Unfortunately we couldn't hear the cracking sound due to the thin layer of sugar. The green tea tiramisu was only average in my opinion. The green tea wasn't very prominent and the overall cake was too sweet. We expected a hint of bitterness due to the matcha powder, but we struggled to find it. Not a dessert that I'd order again.
Aside from the desserts, Kim and I were pleased with our lunch at Yuzu. For that reason, I kept recommending Yuzu to my friends ;D For the same reason, I visited Yuzu a second time for dinner with Alfonso and Jess!
For my second visit, I ordered what Kim ordered last time: Chef's selection of 8 pieces of nigiri + 6 pieces of maki ($21). Similar to my previous visit, every piece of fish was fresh and the rice was consistently great. I enjoyed the escolar (butter fish) and hirame (fluke) the most. Also notice that every piece of nigiri has a different topping; Yuzu never fails to amaze me with their presentation and creativity :)
If you haven't tried Yuzu and you're a sushi lover, then I strongly recommend it to you! -
Review from Tina N.
Toronto, ON
12/4/2010
Yuzu is definitely NOT your typical sushi joint! It's somewhat more expensive than the other sushi restaurant where the quality and variety is higher. I've tried many Sushi places in the GTA, and I would say this is the best restaurant in terms of fish quality - it's really fresh, flavourful and is sliced in perfect manner. The entire presentation makes it a very pleasant experience. Yuzu has it all - delicious dishes for those that have delicate palletes; service that makes you feel like royalty; and an ambiance that heightens the whole dining experience!
It's different from the hundreds of sushi restaurants in the city and if you're prepared to spend over $30 for a meal, give Yuzu a try - it's definitely worth it. -
Review from Steph L.
12/17/2010
If you like Japango, you'll LOVE Yuzu.
It's like the trendier, big sister of Japango.
Exposed brick, lofty space... You feel like you're dining on King Street and the sushi is actually good.
Service was excellent and a lot of the waitstaff are actually Japanese.
They fly their fish in from Japan and Europe, and have fish specials each week.
We had the agedashi tofu warm appetizer, the tofu was fried and smothered in a salty and sweet broth.
The oyster shooters were pieces of art at $7 bucks a pop.
Raw oyster and quail egg that comes in a decorative shot glass. You take the shot in your mouth and slowly chew to get the mix of flavors.
Definitely a stand out item on the menu.
Kaisendon YUZU style was delicious. Rice, sashimi, and hot sauce. It reminded me of bibimbap... but with chunks of raw fish and not served in a hot stone bowl.
All the sushi was super fresh and perfect. Some pieces were topped with deep fried lotus or garlic, each piece was delightful.
The special was the seabream which had an interesting smokey flavour.
My meal was excellent and this place is one of my new favorite spots.
If you eat there once a week, you may even get your own special chopsticks stored behind the bar.
I was debating whether I had a 4 or 5 star experience.
But, I'm hooked.
5 stars.
