AiSushi is located at 5103 Sheppard Ave. E. at Markham Rd., in the plaza at the SW corner. It’s worth noting that AiSushi has two other locations, but this is the only one that offers dine-in and correspondingly AYCE. AiSushi has a very modern interior which didn’t detract from the experience. Ensure that someone brings a smartphone, as ordering uses an ingenious online system; the diner is given a receipt printout with three QR codes (see photo), one to join the establishment’s WiFi (so no data charges), one for the menu and one for the ordering system. This worked very well, as much so as an iPad menu, and without issues. Reusable chopsticks are used thankfully. Ginger was not not dyed pink and had a beautiful floral flavour and aroma. I would have thought with this that the wasabi would be actually wasabi, but it was horseradish, although not bad as far as that goes. There is a two hour dining limit but this was no issue. Soy at table was all green-lid which indicates low sodium, and was very slightly salty, fresh with slight winey flavor and quite good.
Miso soup had the javexy flavour Mishy loves, and was slightly dilute but not enough to matter and was quite good. Sunimono salad was excellent with a good tart dressing, well seasoned with a nice blend of seafood flavours all of which seemed authentic ie not surimi. Cheese wontons were unquestionably the best I've ever had, as their flavour was the best, with rich, sweetish just enough and savoury cream cheese, and there wasn't a trace of oil on the wonton. The sauce was also fantastic as it was the perfect level of sweetness to complement. Mishy also thought they were number one and also loved them, although she thought that the ones we had last week were as well.
Sashimi is available as all day there is the same menu. Salmon sashimi Mishy said was the best she had ever had, and I agree it was super fresh and very thick wonderful pieces of prime salmon. Fish is honestly labeled with escolar and tilapia being indicated, rather than butterfish and red snapper, possibly required by the local health authority. Escolar sashimi was dreamy and among the best I have had, not merely the best at an AYCE, and of course it was absolutely fresh. Tilapia was also fantastically fresh and buttery in consistency, a very good cut. Likewise surf clam was excellent and super fresh. Mackerel was sashimi also very fresh and although it's never been my favourite it was definitely one of the better of the breed I have had.
Philadelphia roll was excellent, also super fresh and well balanced, so was quite delicious. Torched salmon sushi was excellent with hints of orange in the drizzled sauce, and this worked very well with the soy sauce. Torch pressed smoked salmon sushi look like surimi crab, but whatever it was it was fantastic and the flavors blended together very well; it also has a spicy variety which was equally good and happily wasn't overly hot which would dull my taste buds for the next offering.
Beef tataki was excellent, well seasoned without being overly tart and very fresh. g. Garlic beef was absolutely fantastic and one of the best beef dishes I have ever had at an AYCE: not only super-high-quality beef cooked to perfect tenderness but also beautifully seasoned, with no flavor overpowering except the meat itself. Mishy said she preferred the AAA beef, although I liked it slightly less because the sauce was sweet, but it was still absolutely fantastic with similarly high quality tender savoury beef... two of the best beef dishes we have ever had in a row. Even the grilled shrimp on a skewer was excellent, and this is not something I would usually order, but it was seasoned well and the sauce in the plate really added to it.
Onsen tamago is a traditionally Japanese dish consisting of a slow-cooked egg; in Japan they are cooked in hot springs. It was very well spiced and although the texture is a little odd, once eating all the flavors blend together well. Tofu teriyaki was delicious, with the teriyaki sauce not overpoweringly tart so the flavor of the roasted tofu was able to shine through.
For dessert AiSushi had all sorts of offerings not found elsewhere. Japanese cheesecake was light and fluffy and delicious. Fried banana was wonderful, not greasy or oily, and a not-overpowering sauce which let the banana flavor shine through. Fried milk was delicious and I don't think I've enjoyed it as much before. Mango yogurt had wonderful coconut notes that worked beautifully with it and was excellent. Mango pudding with also excellent with an interesting mango flavor. Green tea ice cream was very good, and although the not the best of breed, it was still very enjoyable. Black sesame ice cream has an indescribably interesting flavor that is hard to compare to anything else.
AiSushi’s price was $38.95 all-day. While this seems expensive, given the unlimited perfect beef and sashimi it’s comparable in offerings to dinner anywhere else so is quite reasonable. As far as the quality of those offerings, whoever is responsible for it is to be commended. This was one of the best and most memorable meals we have ever had, everything was perfect to the point of being worth a Michelin review, and I’d happily return if for nothing else to ensure it remained that way. It’s a ten for just about any price we could pay... I don't hand those out easily these days, but AiSushi earned it.
Rating: 10/10
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