Full second seating at 830 pm last time. First time visiting from out of town.
Atmosphere was quite nice although the hinoki wood counter appears to be damaged from water leakage in the past. Service was attentive.
I would say it is comparable to a 4.1-4.25 tabelog score sushi restaurant in Japan which is a huge accomplishment considering it is in Canada. Can also bring alcohol for corkage which is nice.
It is about 30-40 percent more expensive for a comparable sushi restaurant in Japan and about the same as the high end NYC places.
Otsumami included yellow tail with sansho, smoked bonito, tiger prawn spring roll with caviar, baby squid legs, diaphragm of tuna, pickled nozawana. Favourite was the yellow tail as it was exquisitely smoked with a slight astringent after taste. Least favourite was tiger prawn spring roll as I thought the spring roll and caviar did nothing to enhance the prawns.
Nigiri included sweet shrimp cured in kelp, baby squid, horse mackerel, akami, Chu toro, otoro, barracuda, anago, toro hand roll.
Saito san specializes in aged fish although I find his vinegared rice not strong enough for this style of shari which is perhaps a personal preference.
Overall I think it is a great sushi restaurant and probably in its own stratosphere when it comes to Canada.
by balldem824