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| - ***Warning: This review may be a bit skewed as I went on a Friday, after work, was tired, and had to drive to Kipling, park, and take the subway to this restaurant.***
First of all, reservations are a must, especially if you're planning to visit on a weekend for dinner. This place is small, seating less than 25ppl, so call ahead!
The Good:
- lotsa variety on their menu that you won't find elsewhere, re: Salmon Yukke, a seared salmon tartar (although I didn't taste any 'searing')
- if you order green tea, they'll supply a full teapot's worth - at NO CHARGE! So no asking for refills
- lotsa variety in terms of different cuts of fish in Sushi Entrée, it won't be salmon, salmon, & more salmon!
- according to other reviews, the entire staff is Japanese, i.e. authentic
- I think they make their own desserts. We ordered Green Tea Cheesecake w/ Ginger Tea Ice Cream, shareable for 2, and light tasting!
The Not-So-Good:
- a coupla nigiri pieces were a bit fishy, in particular the red tuna + a white, oily fish (mackerel?)
- table wasn't cleared off immediately, but at the last possible moment, re: once the next dish arrived. Chopstick wrappers remained on table for the entire meal.
- very dimly lit, especially if you're seated at the window. Their main window is covered by a heavy, opaque curtain which allows 0 light, no candles or lighting fixture above tables
- aside from the sushi rolls, prices are a bit higher than other places that I usually go to. It's less than Japango, but it ain't cheap!
Service: Pleasant and polite, but again, plates, chopstick wrappers weren't cleared off immediately. I even had to lift up an empty plate so that the waitress could place an incoming dish. So it's more relaxed service as opposed to fine dining.
Not a fan: This has nothing to do with Shinobu, but I wasn't personally a fan of the Goshiki Natto Don. I guess I didn't know what I was getting into, but it smelled like rotting food, but tasted bland. I didn't know if I was supposed to add soy sauce to it, but that's what I ended up doing. It's supposed to be good for you, but I don't think I'd order it again.
I may visit again if I was ever in that area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to deal with the traffic/find street parking!
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