Aoyama Sushi

Tonight we decided to head out to Aoyama Sushi located in North York to try out another Japanese Restaurant.  We were told that this place has some pretty good authentic Japanese sushi and sashimi.  Armed with our daughter in one hand, we marched into the restaurant with a couple of friends and decided to give a whirl.  The place was rather small with only 7-8 tables available.  I find that most smaller sushi places tend to house some of the best sushi in the city. 

We decided to order some of the food from the menu and some from a "fish" tree.  Tonight we tried the Winter Sashimi Platter Special with Sake, the Avenue Sushi special, the Sashimi Omakase Special, Udon, Spicy Salmon Hand Roll, Scallop Hand Rolls, Squid, Fish Liver, Hamashi Belly, Black Sesame Ice Cream and Mango Mochi.

We started off with the Udon. Coming soupless and with it's own condiments it was a good way to start the evening.  The noodles were tasteless but with a little soya sauce and condiment it was a light appetizer that got the night rolling right.

The Sashimi Omakase special arrived next and it was great. There were plenty of fish including the hamashi belly fish, tuna, salmon, toko and unii.  It was absolutely amazing!!  The fish was very fresh, not iced and very tasty.

Udon

Sashimi Omakase Special

Squid

Sake

The Winter Sashimi Platter Special with Sake came next and it was amazing x 2!!! Yes one can say that the fish was similar to the omakase special however with sashimi this good, eating everything almost twice was just pleasing to the stomach. 

The fish liver and squid came next. Although it was slightly salty, it had the absolute freshness in its taste.  The pieces were very "sweet" as it capture the true taste and freshness of the fish.  Eating at these places, freshness is one of the top things I look for and this place did not disappoint.  The Avenue 10-piece sushi special arrived next and it too was amazing.  Loaded with hamashi, shrimp, tuna and unagi sushi, it was quite filling with each piece having just enough wasabi to make it a perfect sushi. 

Spicy Salmon Hand Roll

Spicy Scallop Hand Roll

Fish Liver

Hatashi Belly

The hand rolls came next and if there was disappointing part of the night it was this part. The scallop hand rolls according to my friends and wife were rolled perfectly.  Mildly spicy, it was a perfect hand roll for the evening.  The spicy salmon was good however it missed the spiciness.  Actually there was no spiciness in it at all.  Although the hand roll was delicious, it missed out the spiciness as advertised on their "fish" tree.

The hamashi belly fish was amazing!!!!  I have had it before but this time it just melted in my mouth.  The slightly buttery taste of the fish was perfect.  So fresh, so tasty, it was well worth the price.  It came with 4 pieces and every piece was delicious!!!!

Sashimi Platter Special + Sake

Black Sesame Ice Cream

Mango Mochi

The best part of the night was the desert.  We ordered the black sesame ice cream and the mango mochi.  There were two scoops per order of the ice cream and it was fantastic.  It got a little heavy near the end but each scoop was loaded with a perfect mix of the black sesame ice cream.  The mango mochi was by far one of the best things I have ever tasted!!!!  I absolutely loved it.  Eating this on a warm and hot summer night, the mango was perfect chilled on the inside of the mochi.  The skin was thin and light and it perfectly complimented the mango.  The mango was sweet.  It was amazing!!!!

Avenue Sushi Special

Overall, an amazing night.  The final tally was about 50 dollars per person but it was all well worth it.  There is limited free parking however there is plenty of parking in the adjacent mall.  The place was clean and it was a great atmosphere for some of the best authentic Japanese sushi and sashimi ever.  I have always said anyone can open a sushi place but the absolute best places must have fresh sushi and this place did not disappoint.  I give this place a 5 out of 5 with a definitely must go again!!

Aoyama Sushi
2766 Victoria Park Ave
North York, ON M2J 4A8