Atami Sushi

Atami Sushi is located at 2200 Rymal Road East in Hamilton, just west of Upper Centennial Parkway. We happened to Google for ACYEs and it turned up, so we gave it a try... weren't disappointed either!

It has a pleasant atmosphere, though a bit dark for some but I enjoy a darker decor. Some reviewers have complained about the service but it was certainly quite fast when we visited so this problem may have been
resolved.

The soy sauce was good, full of umami and not too salty. This is one of my "barometers" to the quality of the rest of the food. Salad dressing was different and good. The hot and sour soup was excellent; not overpowering with vinegar like most places, but rich and savoury.
However because of this, it's different from the usual so may not be for everyone. Miso soup was good but a little weak; I find it has to sit in the pot for at least an hour after being made before it's excellent so this may have been too fresh. Chicken wonton soup had low salt and a nice savoury taste.

The salmon sushi very fresh and excellent. Tempura was a little heavy and oily at first; the sauce a little weak. We added a dash of the soy sauce and it was much improved. The second tempura order (shrimp) was much better; light and flaky. Salmon teriyaki didn't have skin on it; finally someone got this right. Teriyaki sauce was a bit salty. Spring rolls were very good. Fried tofu had a touch of seasoning on it; nice touch which shows the meals are prepared with care. Chicken curry was crispy and breaded with a parsley sprig, rather than being unbreaded as most curried chicken is, but I still enjoyed it.... different is good! Well, sometimes...

For dessert, we were treated to the best fried bananas we've yet had; thick and perfectly done. The green tea ice cream was good.

Price was $13.99 for lunch. There's also a $20.99 dinner option with sashimi of course, though it's $21.99 on weekends; lunch price doesn't change. They have an eat free on your birthday special, but need six adults to qualify (some other restaurants such as Imperial and
Tucker's Marketplace only require one other full-price adult.) All in all, I was impressed and would return, if not for all the other ACYEs in Hamilton that still beckon.

Rating: 9/10.