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.Riz on Yonge is located at 3231 Yonge Street, a few blocks north of Lawrence, so is quite transit-accessible from Lawrence subway station. Riz has a gorgeous interior, cream-coloured in European style with high vaulted ceiling area at the back and chandelier lighting. We went for a weekend lunch. Strangely, even with the high-end décor, disposable chopsticks are used, however we both brought our own. Soy at table was extremely rich and flavorful without being salty, and was also very fresh. Ginger is not dyed pink. Wasabi seemed to be the real thing, judging by the mild flavour and granularity of seemingly actual wasabi pieces in it.
House salad is spring mix with a balsamic vinaigrette and either black sesame or chia seeds, and was was both very good and original. We both thought the miso soup was fantastic, rich and savory, with plenty of wakame and enoki, although I am not a big fan of the latter but it was so good I didn’t mind them. Spring rolls were excellent, served piping hot, and did not taste cooked from frozen; the sauce was excellent as well. Gyoza dumplings were excellent as well, soft rather than crisp, tasted fresh rather than frozen, and the dipping sauce which seemed to be balsamic vinegar with sesame seeds was very good.
Thai green curry chicken was excellent, just enough heat and very well spiced, with a dollop of rice on the side to pick up the excess sauce so it didn't go to waste. The red snapper nigiri seem to actually be red snapper, first time ever at an AYCE I have noted. Butterfish was either also the real thing, or was just excellent. Beef and chicken broccoli were both excellent well cooked with a very good sauce and Mishy and I both loved them. Unfortunately we ordered two helpings apiece which made it difficult to finish... always good to start with just one. Mishy said that the chicken Pad Thai was excellent, and I agreed; she added it was well balanced and not too sweet. Chicken shiu mai was very good and full of flavor, and Mishy also enjoyed it, saying it resembled the pork variety. Salmon nigiri had a very slight fishy odor but it did not interfere with it being very good with an interesting flavor. Spicy salmon sushi was well spiced and very good. Vegetable tempura was good with an excellent dipping sauce.
There is a 15% service charge added on to the after-tax price, but this sufficed as a tip so I didn't need to leave one, and there were also no desserts. Lunch is $19.99 weekdays, $23.98 on weekends. This is certainly quite expensive, but is offset by the quality of many of the offerings. Riz seems to be trying to be a higher-end AYCE sushi experience, and is to some degree succeeding.
Rating: 8.5/10
House salad is spring mix with a balsamic vinaigrette and either black sesame or chia seeds, and was was both very good and original. We both thought the miso soup was fantastic, rich and savory, with plenty of wakame and enoki, although I am not a big fan of the latter but it was so good I didn’t mind them. Spring rolls were excellent, served piping hot, and did not taste cooked from frozen; the sauce was excellent as well. Gyoza dumplings were excellent as well, soft rather than crisp, tasted fresh rather than frozen, and the dipping sauce which seemed to be balsamic vinegar with sesame seeds was very good.
Thai green curry chicken was excellent, just enough heat and very well spiced, with a dollop of rice on the side to pick up the excess sauce so it didn't go to waste. The red snapper nigiri seem to actually be red snapper, first time ever at an AYCE I have noted. Butterfish was either also the real thing, or was just excellent. Beef and chicken broccoli were both excellent well cooked with a very good sauce and Mishy and I both loved them. Unfortunately we ordered two helpings apiece which made it difficult to finish... always good to start with just one. Mishy said that the chicken Pad Thai was excellent, and I agreed; she added it was well balanced and not too sweet. Chicken shiu mai was very good and full of flavor, and Mishy also enjoyed it, saying it resembled the pork variety. Salmon nigiri had a very slight fishy odor but it did not interfere with it being very good with an interesting flavor. Spicy salmon sushi was well spiced and very good. Vegetable tempura was good with an excellent dipping sauce.
There is a 15% service charge added on to the after-tax price, but this sufficed as a tip so I didn't need to leave one, and there were also no desserts. Lunch is $19.99 weekdays, $23.98 on weekends. This is certainly quite expensive, but is offset by the quality of many of the offerings. Riz seems to be trying to be a higher-end AYCE sushi experience, and is to some degree succeeding.
Rating: 8.5/10
