Zen Sushi not So Zelicious After All (too fishy)

So it was my convocation date downtown so we chose a nearby restaurant to fuel our energy after the ceremony. My parents had gone to Zen all you can eat in the south side and thought the one downtown should be pretty decent too. 

BOY WERE WE IN FOR A SURPRISE and not the good kind.

Here is my dad and I and my mom and I in your NICE WEAR for the event.


Below are some pictures I ended up taking thought the presentation sucked and the food was below mediocre.

First of all the service was horrible we had to keep harassing the staff to bring our order and often the order was wrong. Also there are many limitations as to what you can order and how many you can have. WHAT NONSENSE!!! for an all you can eat.

Rolls were ok but the rice was not the best.

Their teriyaki chicken and beef was decent but a tad SALTY for my tastes .

Other sushi and maki were just ALL RIGHT

Their sashmi didn't taste fresh and the whole place stank like nasty fish .

In all I really did not enjoy my food there, the place was dirty, the service horrible and the food MEH. Thank god I didn't have to pay for it or else I would have left.

I think for price to quantity to quality THIS PLACE IS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME.

Izakaya Tomo: Tapas and Appi Style Dinner

After some intense hot yoga today @ moksha yoga Dustin pointed out a new japanese restaurant that opened in the same complex. I decided to come back in the PM for a taste of the izakaya style establishment. Jono and a co-worker Aaron had told me to come and I decided that even though I was going to Tokyo in 23 days and ENJOY far BETTER food I could still give this place a try.


FROM WIKI:
An izakaya (居酒屋^?) is a type of Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food to accompany the drinks. They are casual places for after-work drinking.

outdoor shot of the place. Its a little place that could easily be missed. 

Entering the establishment you see the word TOMO in chinese/ japanese script meaning friend. It has a very rustic feel with lots of wood. They have a pretty high and darkened ceiling. 

They have japanese writing on the walls as decoration. It adds a clean cut and classy feel to the place. 

The above were shots of their menu. They also of a "drinks" menu. 

Dustin @ Tomo looking pleased. At this point we had finally got a table after waiting more than 20 min. This wait is usually acceptable to me HOWEVER there was 3 other tables that sat empty as "Reserved" While we were there, only one of these tables were filled. There were also "TROLLERS" aka people who had finished their food and just sat there forever. There was 2 such people who saw us waiting for a table and saw us wait for 15 min while they just sat there.  They had finished their food and drinks and just sat and watch us stand there. SIGH I guess next time I should make a reservation or what not. I think such a small establishment shouldn't have reservations unless it is for a party of 6 or more. 

Here is some of their cutlery . a cute little pot for the soya sauce and little dish for you to mix your wasabi. The chopsticks themselves seem high in quality. 

Dustin and I ordered an array of foods hoping to get a taste of what this restaurant would be like. The picture above is the curry udon. $8.95 It tastes ok not too infused with flavor (I am use to more stronger tasting curries ) I guess it was a soup so the flavor is toned down a bit. There was some shredded pork in it and some QQ udon noodles. (QQ is how I  and other Taiwanese people describe the consistency and the feel of a noodle not too soft not too chewy JUST RIGHT) I was afraid to get a sliver from the wooden spoon so I tried not to use it. 

Wow looks like we got huge slabs of mackerel "Aburi saba" for $4.45.  

This is what it actually looked like on the dish. SMALL must have been a minnow sized fish =P
The actual slices were quite tasty though esp with the little bit of ginger and green onion slices. I was tempted to eat the leaf it was on BECAUSE I WAS THAT HUNGRY 

Next we decided to go for the "Crispy Taco Yaki" $6.95 This was one of the highlights of the evening. I would say there was about 1 to 2 mid sized octopus chunks in each of these balls. I loved the japanese mayo used and the flakes on top seemed to move and flutter. 

It was super hot though but juicy and filling. I loved the sauce. DELICIOUS and I would definitely order this one again .

From the salad side of the menu we went for "Nama Harumaki" $6.95 which has smoked salmon in it as well as veggies like cucumber, avocado green leaves etc. It was sitting in a bath of "Special dressing". Whatever it is IT WAS YUM. This dish was refreshing and I loved the taste of smoked salmon as an aftertaste. 

Though this place is not known for its rolls we decided to go for two rolls anyways just to gage their quality. We went for the "Tempura Shrimp Roll" you can add your own toppings for the outside. Seasme is free tobiko is $1 and any other is $2 +. The actual roll cost $8.95 by itself. 

This roll was ok but it as falling apart even as the server brought it to the table. 

Same goes for our chop chop roll that we got with tobiko. The rolls were not well formed but I actually thought the chop chop roll wasn't too bad. $7.95

We ordered dessert and she gave us two wooden spoons and napkins. But as you can see there is already a stain on this supposed "NEW NAPKIN" EW. 

The "sweet potato and ice cream" These caramelized sweet potatoes had caramel sugar on it I think and they were still pipping hot. This was great contrast to the cold vanilla ice cream that it is paired with. The sugar strands looked almost like HAIR ewww thank god it tasted delicious. $5.95

Ice Cream Puff $6.95 looked lovely on the menu this is what it looked like when it came.

Not exactly the same as the menu picture but still pretty good in presentation. I love the mochi they have here it had sesame seeds on it unlike the menu picture. Unlike the picture the piece (puff) was not fully on it was just leaning on the icecream. The green tea "matcha" ice cream was light in flavor and not what I was use to. This was great for Dustin who hates really strong tasting green tea food products. I like the red bean paring since it was not super sweet.  This dessert was very enjoyable. A KEEPER and will order next time. 

Then our bill came. I WAS STILL HUNGRY either I  EAT alot or maybe the portions were too small.
I will come back again to try their other offerings before I JUDGE this place as disappointment or recommend. 

SERVICE: 3.5/5
FOOD: 3/5 (so far)
ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 

Japonais Bistro on Jasper Ave

Website: Click Here 


I first found out about this place on FACEBOOK actually when they were doing a promo for their opening with a draw to win 100 gift card. A friend on facebook (don't remember which one) had shared the post and I went to the page. I then went on urbanspoon and saw that it was one of the top 10 most talk about restaurants. This place replaced a pre-existing bar and actually kept most of the DECOR and furniture.

The chopsticks were higher quality then most restaurants I have been to. Also their napkins are super thick.

We got iced green tea. I think they just poured hot tea into a cup of ice.

After much deliberation I went for the lunch special: Deluxe lunch omakaze $19.99. "I'm in your hands" treatment allows the chefs that day to prepare your meal of many small dishes. Jono went for the Traditional Bento Box $14.95. 

He had sashimi, sushi, california roll, mixed tempura and miso with salad. The waitress didn't actually give him is miso  till the end of the meal... SHE SAID SHE FORGOT. The tempura was ok I didn't really eat anything else of his plate. He said it was ok but not exceptional compared to VEGAS where he is currently attending law  school at. 

Here is a snap shot of my lunch. They had a tomato with flakes on it. Some sweet egg slices with this sauce on it. I got two oysters which I put tabasco sauce in. And these two battered shrimp that was deep fried. THE BULLDOG sauce was not to my liking. The chicken kraggae was just tasted like KFC. In all I was super hungry after this meal.

I went for a small dessert. A mochi ice cream $2.95 for the two. I had a green tea and red bean. tehy were good even Jono thought so. I also saw another co-worker eating there, she told me she spent 70 some dollars between her and her friend eating one roll and a platter. EXPENSIVE and she didn't think it was all that great either for  the price paid and the HYPE. we both enjoyed the mochi but SHE made a valid point, you can get the same thing at TNT for under $3 for 8 of them.

Would I come back. I guess so they have so many rolls (EXPENSIVE) and I haven't tried them yet but I don't think I would make an effort to go.... I would probably only go if others suggested or I was in the area and FAMOSO or EARLS wasn't open......

PS did I mention they charged JONO twice for his tea. SIGH and also their service was slow considering there was only two other tables with people there at the time.

Sushi Specials: Sakana

Looping by Whyte Ave area around lunch and craving sushi? That actually happens to me quite alot. I have often visited Sakana at lunch time to take advantage of their lunch specials. (YES I AM ASIAN and a struggling student) 

This is the posted menu they have as you walk in telling you about their specials. I don't see why people don't take advantage of it more. 

Yes I am GLUTTONOUS so I usually order ALL OF THE SPECIALS.

This is the dragon eye maki. It is not the same as the one from Nomniya at all. IT is more deep fried and has a crunch taste. I do like the sauce they drizzle all over these rolls. I usually get a stomach ache after this but it is worth it.

This is there sushi combo I believe. NOthing to crazy here. 

 And this is the Sakana Noodle. The broth is ok, a bit too salty for my taste and the noodles don't seem to be freshly made. Overall it still taste ok ( a bit too peppery) . I mean hey its only $6.50 on lunch special. There is not much seafood in it at all.

On a non-lunch special note I have also had the Love Maki which has raw salmon in it. Once again the sauce drizzled on it it delicious.

Overall, Sakana is a good place for a quick ish lunch when you are wanting some sushi. When you go for the lunch special you are getting the BEST RATIO of price to quantity/quality. So thats usually when I would advise to go. If you want better or more options go to other Whyte ave ish / university area sushi places.... THERE ARE PLENTY.

Sushi on Burbon Street: Oranj

My love for sushi will never die, neither will my love for shopping or going to TNT. So what happens when you go to WEM you hit up the stores and now you are tired and need food? You wander over to Bourbon Street. There is the usual stores: hooters, moxies, jungle jim and the now closed DELUX BURGER, but what caught my eye was the little sushi place called ORANJ. 

Most things down Burbon Street is $$ in price or above but I find ORANJ to be $$$ especially if you want to full. 

LOCATION: Suite 1648, 8882 170 St NW #1648  Edmonton, AB T5T 4M2

Their Website: CLICK HERE 

I must say they got some pretty good decor and the colour scheme really speaks to me. I really hate eating at a place that doesn't have a good vibe or atmosphere. 

This place is quite tiny actually in comparison with the other food place on BOURBON STREET. Despite how small it is I have never seen a huge line either. 

Here is an online version of their menu though it doesn't include their prices: CLICK HERE

We ordered the typical california roll ( my boyfriend is white after all) and we had the dynamite roll. I don't remember the exact price anymore and I didn't keep the receipt but I believe each roll was min $7 dollars +. The sushi itself was nothing too special, I guess we ordered two very generic rolls so there really isn't anything fancy you can do to them. The rice was good the ingredients fresh but nothing spectacular. (best rice is still at WASABI) 

We decided to share the dinner bento box and this was actually worth it. I believe the box was around $25 + but it was FULLY LOADED.

For one person to eat this bento, it is not impossible but very hard. The best part was the beef and the sauce they put on the beef. This bento is called the "Sushi Chef's Bento Box" and comes with many varieties to choose from. As you can see we opted for Sushi and got an assortment of tempura and went for the beef shogayaki. The tempura was ok nothing exciting and we got one shrimp. I enjoyed how many sides there were including the extra california rolls, the salad, spring rolls and edamame. 

Service was ok, waitress came around a few times to fill up our glasses. 

We also got their red velvet cake and it was surprisingly delicious. The cake itself was moist and the cream cheese was decadent. The additional chocolate decoration was good too and I loved dipping my cake into the white and milk chocolate. 

Would I come back again? If I am craving and in WEM and on Burbon Street. 

What would I order? Probably their bento box since its the most bang for its buck.