Kimono Sushi

Kimono Japanese Grill and Sushi
359 Eglinton Ave. West

What to do on a Victoria day long weekend. See fireworks? Too windy. Have lots of BBQ? Closer, but a little too American. I know, it’s Sunday afternoon. Lets take a stroll along Eglinton Ave West and check out the first Sushi place you come to. Headed west last time, so lets see whats east this time.

I came across Kimono Sushi and thought, this fits the bill. Looks like an interesting place, and most importantly it’s open at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon. Most places in my neck of the woods seem to close after lunch and re-open at dinner time. A fancier looking place across the street from Kimono (which has been placed on my list to do) doesn’t even open until 5pm.

I actually deliberately chose a table that was bathed in a pool of overhead light. I mean, the food is going to be the same no matter where you sit, but better photographs show off the fare. The service was attentive, and the rolls arrived pretty darn quick. I’ve often wondered what the wait staff thinks of the guy sitting there and snapping a dozen pictures of his food before tucking in. At least in this case the waitress said “Nice camera! I like to take pictures of my food too!”

But down to the food. I did a quick scan of the menu, and the cheap bastard in me gravitated to the lunch special. Any 2 rolls from a list of about a dozen choices for $6.99. The choices were pretty standard, nothing fancy, but thats a deal that challenges CJ Lunchbox for the “cheapest in TO” crown. The regular menu does show some promising rolls that will get my perusal when I come back. Yep, I’m going to come back. Drawing from the specials menu I chose the Spicy Tuna and Dynamite rolls.

The rolls were well made, but a little on the overly-sticky rice side. Quite frankly the Dynamite (shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber) roll was bland. But for the price I wasn’t really expecting much. The shrimp needed more tempura for flavour. The Spicy Tuna however was one of the better ones I’ve had. Every bite (chew?) brought out a little more of the spicy kick that gives this roll it’s name. Not one iota of disappointment there. Plus the value was really good. Each roll was a large 8 piece monster, with very generous amounts of ingredients. I actually wound up having to take 3 pieces os sushi home with me in a doggy bag, the portions were so generous! I also had the ubiquitous plate of edamame ($3), and I have yet to have a bad batch of this anywhere. The presentation also fit in with the atmosphere of the restaurant. Nothing fancy, but the pieces were tastefully laid out and weren’t just dumped on the plate.

This place has the feel of a good place for lunch. Nice decor, nothing fancy, and fast friendly service. A family restaurant with no pretensions. I’d go somewhere else for an intimate dinner, but with a group of friends this would fit the bill. Good food, good value. Thumbs up.