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Its that time for Tricks and Treats

October 30th, 2006

So here it is, the day that you can choose to be whomever you wish, from hero and heroine to ghoul and ghost!

Keeping the fun in Halloween is what this hallmark-holiday is all about, but its just not for children anymore!

Keep things interesting and light, and don’t be afraid to get into playing the role!

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Wasabi

October 24th, 2006

I had reviewed the original Wasabi, at silverstar and steeles and my overall impression was that it was sushi with the organization, feel and quality of dining at a bubble-tea house. Nothing worth returning to, as the sushi in question left much to be desired. Dubbed “the great experiment”, I concluded that the owners had decided to serve sushi instead of bubble-tea and see where it will take them.

Wasabi’s mad-scientist doesn’t seem to be finished as they had taken on a 2nd location just west of Leslie and Hwy7. Formerly a nightclub named papparazzi’s Wasabi’s 2nd local is much, much larger than their first one and offers, for the first time in the GTA, an all-you-can-eat dining experience like NO OTHER. A menu with all the sushi/sashimi/maki/temaki items are made to order in unlimited proportions, but this is combined with A FULL-BUFFET of items such as customizable ramen noodles, lobster, crab-legs, various skewered meat/seafood and dessert table. The experience cannot be equaled by any of their dining establishment competition and it would appear that the owners had learned quite a few lessons from their first venture into the sushi mix.

You are presented with large dining areas. Gone are the cramped, sardine-can cafeteria style dining areas. In zen-influenced décor, this restaurant has been designed from the ground up, to serve hungry people.

A central area provides an open kitchen where sushi is made-to-order, and the buffet lines the perimeter. Well laid-out, the sushi chefs roll their goods infront of a salad-bar which stands across a teppanyaki grill. Behind that is a line of fried items.

Cooked entrees are adjacent to all this and is crowned by a customizable self-serve ramen bar. Finally, desserts and an icecream bar conclude this pheletora of items.

Oh did I mention that you can order sushi as well?

A complete menu of sushi items are presented at your dining table, with pictures of exactly what each one is. Gone is the ambiguity of Japanese names for fish that draw blank stares from drooling patrons. English, Chinese and icons specifying the vegetarian-friendly fare that is available from a limitless kitchen.

The food is all presented very well, neatly and the staff is friendly. In each dining room there are no less than 3 waitstaff that cycle thru picking up plates or clearing tables. English/Cantonese/Mandarin are languages spoken to various degrees, depending on the waitstaff you get, but with 3 per room, an effort is made to get you someone that can understand you. Clear organization was exemplified during the establishment’s soft-opening.

The quality of the food was above average, but of course there is room for improvement. Slices of sashimi could have been more carefully chosen, however all was fresh and wouldn’t upset any but the most critical diner. Maki rolls were neatly presented and the amount of rice around each roll wasn’t over loaded. Ingredients were suitably portioned and the flavours proved for a fresh taste.

Hopefully, this new hybrid layout of All-You-Can-Eat and buffet will minimize those lost orders that plague other AYCE eateries. Having the selection of items as a buffet clearly eliminates any confusion from knowing what you are ordering and in what proportions. You also get the benefit of knowing its on your plate and just how much of each item you want.

At $19 weekdays and $22 weekends dinners, the prices here are on par with the better AYCE sushi establishments in the GTA and obviously the selection here is something that cannot be challenged. Presentation, dining experience and quality of service are heads and shoulders over all but few AYCE restos.
The bad is that refreshments here are at a premium. Expect to pay $2 per person for tea and softdrinks. LLBO isn’t an option yet, so for those thirsty for some Sapporo or Gekkikan will have to hold off until dining is over.

No steps at the door and bathrooms are clean and handicap-friendly.

Location: 270 West Beaver Creek Rd, Richmond Hill
Food Quality/Authenticity: 4/5
Selection: 5/5
Service and Ambiance: 5/5
Value: 4/5

$15 for lunch and $22 for dinner, less $2 on weekdays, drinks extra.
**CASH-ONLY during this soft-opening.**

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