Ah sushi…bless you
Now the weather has been less than exemplary lately but when a friend of mine suggested a rollerblade today I was all over it. Mother Nature, tricky lady that she is, had other plans and with the rain coming down in a pretty steady manner we opted to go for sushi instead. I can’t eat sushi everyday, maybe because I eat too much when I do eat it, but it is a lovely once in awhile kinda meal. I’ve had a chance to sample a few different sushi spots around the city so thought I’d share my favs with ya’ll!
1. Shibuya
By far my favorite sushi place in Cowtown. Located on 16th ave just east of Centre Street, Shibuya has classy, modern decor and incredibly friendly staff. You’re always greeted with a big “hello” from the kitchen when you enter. It’s always a bonus to show up on oyster special days, 6 oysters on a plate $0.99 each are shellfishly delicious (that was lame, I know, but hilarious!) and fresh; it’s almost like you aren’t in the prairies and if you hold a bottle of Kirin beer to your ear you can practically hear the ocean. Favorite roll by far, dynamite, which is quite frankly, dynamite! It’s usually under $60 for four of us to eat so it’s quite reasonable.
Located on 17th ave. I went to Midori for the first time today with next semesters esteemed publishing editor Zoey Duncan. (Check out her blog here, it’s about food so it’s awesome!) A small and homey place, Midori is quiet and comfortable, perfect for rainy day sushi. I tried the Caterpillar roll, which came, you guessed it, shaped as a caterpillar. Complete with black roe eyes, covered in avacado and stuffed with cucumber, crab and bits of tempura the Catepillar became a fast favorite. Zoey had the vegetarian Evergreen roll stuffed with tempura bits, asparagus, cucumber and lettuce which was quite lovely as well. Under $30 for two including bottomless green tea makes for a pretty reasonable fare.
3. Hana Sushi
Located on fourth street Hana Sushi is the first place I tried sushi in Calgary, recommended by my friend and sushi fiend Selina. With a very traditonal layout, Hana also has super friendly staff and great sushi. My favorite here though, is the tempura. Crunchy on the outside and cooked just right on the inside I recommend the combo plate with both veggies and shrimp. Really fresh and tasty sashimi at Hana as well.
4. Towa Sushi
Also located on fourth, Towa has a very modern and clean-lined layout with some funky Ikea like star lamps that dot the ceiling. The rolls here are huge and delicious. I recommend the Spider rolls as well as the spicy tuna. These guys also have great tempura although the avacado tempura tends to get a bit mushy. A little pricier than the sushi joints above but worth spoiling yourself.
5. Sushi Boat
Located in Crowfoot, Sushi boat makes up for its okay sushi with a clever layout. Patrons can sit on bar stools around an island of a sushi prep area where boats of sushi float by you. You can pluck off whatever plate you’d like. Dishes are colour coded which makes for easy figuring of price. I’ve only been here once and it was about an hour before closing time so selection was a bit down but I would definitely check it out again to see what else is offered.
So go out and try some sushi or let me know your favorite place and I’ll check it out. Until we meet again sportsfans, I still plan on getting out to see what Calgary’s rollerblading scene is like. I have a friend who says she’ll show me how to navigate hills instead of bailing and walking down…that should make for an interesting blog as I’m not the most graceful of beings to walk (or blade) around this place!
Peace.
