CLOSED - Memories of Japan

Update 2019-Dec.-2 - Unfortunately Memories has closed... it was there since at least the 1980's. So many AYCE's are closing recently and I don't doubt that this is due to the crazy prices for real estate nowadays in Toronto.

Memories of Japan is located at 900 Don Mills Road, just N. of Eglinton on the W. side in a mall. It's been there for years, but wasn't AYCE until recently. Mishy and I happened to pass it on a Saturday at lunchtime and a large sign out front proclaimed it was now AYCE; great timing as we were wondering where to go for lunch.

The interior is pleasant and there are enclosed areas available, although with two tables in them so you may be sharing the enclosed area with strangers. The recent addition of AYCE has left the menus
and ordering disorganized, with items spread out over two or more sheets and confusing (we were there over a month ago and haven't had a chance to do the writeup since then, so perhaps this has been improved.)

Salad was one of the items we couldn't find on the menu, and once we had it realized why it was better hidden: the dressing was just Thousand Islands with nary a hint of Japanese flavour. Miso soup was good but was a bit weak. Soy was indicated to all be low sodium but it didn't taste that way.

However there were some excellent items: Chicken teriyaki was prepared in smoky, generous chunks and was delicious, the beef teryaki was also savoury and excellent as was the shrimp teriyaki.  Dumplings had a nice flavour as well. Dessert at this place is also excellent with a larger variety than usual including ginger ice cream, tiramisu and puddings.




However the price is steep at $14.99 and not everything was up to par for this cost, as well as the menu being disorganized (and the service was rather slow and unresponsive when we were there as well.) We hope that Memories can address these as it does have potential.

Rating 7/10.