I was here with a couple of friends on Sunday whom I was taking to Jelly Modern Doughnuts which apparently is next door to Kanpai Sushi on 8th.
The doughnut was to be a pre-lunch snack. As we marched on toward such sweetness, one of them had stated there was a new sushi joint somewhere on 8th St SW not to far from 17th Ave SW.
As we walked closer, we discovered it was Kanpai Sushi on 8th. Sadly, I do not remember what was there before.
The interior is very clean, conservative, and not too bright. I can see this place would be a great first date if you are looking for something with simple elegance. Try to get a window seat so you can people watch while you wait.
The server was reasonably quick to approach us and offer us a beverage and a set of menus. I was sort of impressed with this as lately at other places, the server seem to be dropping the ball.
I ordered the Flames Roll Combo which includes Spicy Tuna Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll, Spicy California Roll. This was about $15 or so (now around $19 as of December 2015). The quality was very high and the fish very fresh (even on Sunday)! The server was even nice enough to bring an extra helping of spicy sauce. Hmmm. This dish in itself was enough to satisfy my lunch rumblings. The quality would closest compare to Towa Sushi on 4th St SW.
I can honestly say if you are driving down 8th St SW that you might miss this place as I did for both it and Jelly Modern Doughnuts. Even walking by could be easy to miss it. Parking in the area is very trying. If you don't mind walking, you can park near London Drug's (2 blocks away on 8th St SW) or Analog Coffee (4 blocks away at the corner of 17th Av SW and 7th St SW).
I hope to make this a weekly stop on my tour de Calgary restaurants.