Update: 2021-Aug-20 - There is currently no AYCE at this location post-lockdown even though it is now permitted, and it is unknown if and when it will ever return. I am therefore removing it from the active list, and will follow up periodically and restore it should it return to AYCE status.
Maki Sushi can be found in the plaza at 45 Wicksteed at
Laird Dr., just south of Eglinton in Toronto. It has an elegant and
well-decorated interior, and is somewhat larger than the usual "hole in
the wall" places downtown. It's a bit pricier as well; We went for a weekend
lunch at $15.99 ($14.99 on weekdays) as I wanted to see if the difference was
worth it. AYCD pop is available for $1.50 which isn't bad. Low sodium and
regular soy is on all tables. Maki has a very large set of menu options on an over-sized order sheet. I don't think I could ever sample all of them in one
visit!
First off the mark, the soy sauce was phenomenal, among the
best I have ever had, absolutely fresh with a unique wine-like subtle palate. The
miso soup was also fantastic, and I love the large and comfortable spoons it
was served with. They and the other tableware are branded with the Maki name
and logo... could Maki be a chain? It's a nice touch showing it's not a generic
sushi place. Wonton soup was Japanese-style with wakame in it; also very good.
Hot and sour soup was superb; not too sour and very savoury. Vegetable salad was
fresh and had Thousand-Islands style dressing (my only and minor peeve with
Maki.)
Spring rolls were very good, not oily at all and with a very
tasty sauce. Dumplings were excellent and loved the sauce; among the best.
Japanese curried fish balls were served in a soup bowl and for once I loved
this dish. Salmon and spicy salmon sushi were both perfect and served with
great presentation. Avocado roll was excellent, very fresh and perfect
consistency.
Chicken teriyaki had a fantastic sauce. Beef teriyaki was
not as savoury as expected but still good. Stir fried butter mushrooms had
perfect seasoning which was unfortunately ruined by too much salt. Shrimp
tempura was excellent, flaky not oily and with good sauce. Beef fried noodles
were dark noodles without the distinctive soba flavour (which made them better
in my opinion) and were very tasty (could definitely taste hoisin sauce) but
beware the large portion size. I ordered the sweet and sour chicken but it
never arrived.
Maki has an equivalently large dessert selection. Mango ice
cream was perfect without a trace of freezer burn. Crispy pumpkin cake was
different but not bad. The crispy dumpling with red bean paste in it I didn't
care for (and some on Yelp agree) but that was the only downside. There are
also several flavours of mousse; blueberry was very mild and strawberry a
little stronger.
I thoroughly enjoyed Maki. The excellent food and the
general ambiance of the place itself combined to make it one of the better
lunches I've ever had, and I'm happy Toronto still has places like it to be
discovered. Admittedly it wasn't perfect, and the price is high, but it's worth
the difference. I returned the next week with Mishy and she absolutely loved it.
I'm looking forward to my next visit.
First off the mark, the soy sauce was phenomenal, among the
best I have ever had, absolutely fresh with a unique wine-like subtle palate. The
miso soup was also fantastic, and I love the large and comfortable spoons it
was served with. They and the other tableware are branded with the Maki name
and logo... could Maki be a chain? It's a nice touch showing it's not a generic
sushi place. Wonton soup was Japanese-style with wakame in it; also very good.
Hot and sour soup was superb; not too sour and very savoury. Vegetable salad was
fresh and had Thousand-Islands style dressing (my only and minor peeve with
Maki.)
Spring rolls were very good, not oily at all and with a very
tasty sauce. Dumplings were excellent and loved the sauce; among the best.
Japanese curried fish balls were served in a soup bowl and for once I loved
this dish. Salmon and spicy salmon sushi were both perfect and served with
great presentation. Avocado roll was excellent, very fresh and perfect
consistency.
Chicken teriyaki had a fantastic sauce. Beef teriyaki was
not as savoury as expected but still good. Stir fried butter mushrooms had
perfect seasoning which was unfortunately ruined by too much salt. Shrimp
tempura was excellent, flaky not oily and with good sauce. Beef fried noodles
were dark noodles without the distinctive soba flavour (which made them better
in my opinion) and were very tasty (could definitely taste hoisin sauce) but
beware the large portion size. I ordered the sweet and sour chicken but it
never arrived.
Maki has an equivalently large dessert selection. Mango ice
cream was perfect without a trace of freezer burn. Crispy pumpkin cake was
different but not bad. The crispy dumpling with red bean paste in it I didn't
care for (and some on Yelp agree) but that was the only downside. There are
also several flavours of mousse; blueberry was very mild and strawberry a
little stronger.
I thoroughly enjoyed Maki. The excellent food and the
general ambiance of the place itself combined to make it one of the better
lunches I've ever had, and I'm happy Toronto still has places like it to be
discovered. Admittedly it wasn't perfect, and the price is high, but it's worth
the difference. I returned the next week with Mishy and she absolutely loved it.
I'm looking forward to my next visit.
Rating: 8.5/10.
