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| - I love sushi, and eat a lot of it Toronto and elsewhere, and Shinobu is definitely one of my favorites. Best in Toronto so far. Not only is it fresh, but it's inventively prepared, beautifully presented, and just spectacularly good.
Ok longer story is....
So I was in San Fran a while back on my own, and UrbanSpooned my way to Sanraku on Sutter, now my favorite sushi place ever. Being on my own I sat at the sushi bar, and struck up conversation with both the other customers, and the sushi chef, Atsushi, trying a lot of things I don't usually try or see here in TO. I mentioned to Atsushi that I wish I could find a place in Toronto this good, and he told me he used to work here with a friend (Tamio) that now has his own place, Shinobu. Of course when I got back, I instantly had to try it, and I was not disappointed. It's fantastic. In fact, I went to both this week, and was very happy both times :)
Agreed with the other posters. It's a tiny but nice place, so call and book a table (and please show up! it's a tiny place!). Tamio and the staff there are friendly, attentive and helpful. There's always a list of really interesting specials on the chalkboard. The long-name-I-cant-pronounce pork dumplings with eggplant wrappers are fantastic. The big show is the Volcano Rainbow Roll, which, in addition to being fantastic on it's own, they drizzle with a little honey, and then take a blowtorch to at the table, just lightly caramelizing the top of the fish. As ness y. says, the sushi is great, but everything is fantastic. Even the fried chicken skin.
It's also hard to find, as mentioned, as they have a strange space-sharing arrangement with Maki Sushi (which is what is actually on the sign). During the day, it's Maki, at night, it's Shinobu.
Go. You will LOVE it. Great sushi. Great eel. Great date restaurant - small, cute, a "find", and you can dress it down or up. And great chef, who truly deserves the business and the recognition.
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