PaiGu

The menu at EAST! is a smaller version of the one at Spring Rolls, but it is much more sophisticated-looking. Unfortunately, the maitre d’ were very hesitant to seat us, being casually-dressed and clearly students, unlike their normal audience of businessmen on lunch break from the nearby office buildings. Very bustling, but decent service, great decor and ambiance. The “Unique Satay Pad Thai” is a perfect mix of street-style with sweetness, and a decent ratio of noodle to everything else (chicken, egg, tofu, bean sprouts, and peanuts sprinkled on top), and only $7.95 for lunch. The “Tango Mango Chicken” ($8.95) is very saucy and has a strange taste to it, but the strips of mangoes are sweet, instead of the traditional sour thai mangos. I’d definitely recommend the “Grilled Marinated Chicken with Mango Salad” if you’re looking for a decent chicken meal, balanced with sweet, succulent mangoes. All the entrees are fairly large servings, but reasonable. Drinks are the usual price for Toronto restaurants, and the martini I tried was not particularly pleasant.

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240 Queen St. W.
Toronto, ON
416-351-EAST
Website

An authentic Japanese restaurant hidden away in Yorkville, Yamato is always lively and bustling, with generous portions, fair prices, and great service. Though its regulars are generally well-dressed, as is common in Yorkville restaurants, it’s hard to feel uncomfortable in this subtly sophisticated yet cozy joint. Whether you’re looking for a unique teppanyaki experience with a group of friends or order sushi a la carte with a special somebody, this restaurant can accommodate your needs. The Chicken Katsu Don is amazing, with tender breaded chicken strips, well-cooked onions, and eggs with soy sauce on a bed of rice that’ll satisfy your hunger instantly. For dessert, vanilla ice cream with hot banana tempura ($3.95) is a popular choice, for good reason.

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24 Bellair St.
Toronto, ON M5R 2C7
(416) 927-0077

Sushi Inn is a true gem in Toronto. Although its competitor, Yamato, is only steps away, it still manages to have a daily line-up outside its doors by 5pm without fail. After a painful half-hour wait of watching dish after dish of colourful sushi boats sail past us, we were finally seated. The wait was entirely worth it though. This was the best sushi I have tasted in Toronto. Colourful, masterfully sliced sashimi and sushi arrived, patterned beautifully on every plate. I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t discovered this place sooner. Everything we ordered tasted quite fresh, but the real impressive feat was the beauty of the food. True to traditional Japanese beliefs, the sushi found here was not merely some seafood rapped in a roll of rice and seaweed. No, each plate was a blank canvas, and each piece of food was a stroke of colour. The craftsmanship of the boys behind the sushi bar really showed in everything that arrived. Service can be slow at times. Prices are very reasonable, especially considering it is located in Yorkville.

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120 Cumberland St.
Toronto, ON
(416) 923-9992