Gold: Okeya Kyujiro
1038 Mainland St.
okeya.ca
Silver: Tetsu
775 Denman St.
tetsusushibar.com
Bronze: Sushi Hil
3330 Main St.
sushihil.com
For two years running, Okeya Kyujiro has earned gold for its immersive dining experience. “From the traditional prayers, hand carving skills, traditional tea ceremony and more, this is more than dinner,” raved one judge. And when the food arrives, wow: grilled eggplant and wagyu are gloriously lush, and clay-pot rice cooked during the meal is deeply flavoured with fish broth, its pearly texture perfect. Tetsu brings home silver for its intimate, omakase-style menu. “The local spot prawn nigiri—glazed with Chinese Shaoxing wine—may be the most incredible bite of sushi I have had all year,” said one judge. Chef Hilary Nguy’s expert execution on sushi and sashimi out of his Main Street boîte, Sushi Hil, earns his restaurant bronze this year, with delightful takes like spicy toro sashimi and Hokkaido scallop steamed in sake butter.
Honourable Mentions
Dosanko
100–566 Powell St.
dosankorestaurant.ca
Oku Izakaya
2 Water St.
okuizakayabar.com
