Sakura Japanese Restaurant

Sakura Japanese Restaurant is located at 1350 Bath Road in Kingston, about 270km e. of Toronto. We stopped in while returning from Ottawa. Sakura has a larger modern interior. Reusable chopsticks are used, thankfully. $1.75 AYCD pop is available and straws said they were biodegradable even though they were plastic(?) iPad menus are used which is another bonus. Soy at table had interesting winey flavor without being salty.

Miso soup very good though a bit dilute. Wonton soup smelled burnt but wasn't and was enjoyable, though needed a little soy in the broth.  Mishy liked the avocado salad and wakame salad. Both avocado salad Mishy had, and the garden salad I had, was enrobed in a very good orange zest dressing.

Philadelphia roll very good and we both enjoyed it. Crab aka surimi nigiri was fresh and delicious, as was red snapper. Salmon nigiri was very good and super fresh. Sakura has salmon rose, one of our favourites, and it was quite good. Though it was missing some or all of the mayonnaise holding it together, the salmon and rice was good enough anyway.

Spring onion beef roll I said had a subtle flavour, but Mishy just called it bland; was still good. Yakitori skewers were not dry at all as at many other places, and delicious. Shrimp tempura batter was not light and flaky, more tubular, but not oily so still enjoyable. Breaded scallops aka surimi were very good thanks to the katsu sauce which was very flavorful. Steak teriyaki was excellent with a tasty cut of beef and good sauce.

General Tao chicken we both liked; was pretty much like other places with a more peppery sauce. Mushroom beef was of a cheaper cut and the sauce could have added some more of the flavour back, but it wasn't bad. Cheese wontons were good and had enough cheese. Gyoza were flavourful and didn't need sauce. Garlic beef was more flavourful and quite good. Black pepper beef was even a bit better.

For dessert, we both loved the fried milk; Mishy indicated that it was flavorful without being overpoweringly sweet. Mango pudding we both loved and had a warm mango flavor. Red bean had some of that elusive special flavor. Mango ice cream was very good and fresh as was vanilla. Chocolate was phenomenally good. Green tea was OK but with a slightly fish-oily flavour, which was more likely oxidizing tea oils.

Pop was refilled automatically without having to ask; service was good. Unfortunately Sakura had too many flies, especially being exclusively indoors, and a couple would hang around our table. Weekday lunch was $23 and this is reasonable, all considered with the steak teriyaki, salmon rose and inexpensive AYCD pop. We might even return, if we ever find ourselves in the area again.

Rating: 8/10