I've had time to mull it over, scrutinize the photos and memories, desperate to come a conclusion,…read morea decisive critique on Mr. Sushi. And I've decided that it's...fine. It's okay. It does enough right with little wrong to squeeze out a marginal recommendation. I know readers prefer a clear-sighted score, but I sit firmly on the knife-edge, therefore I expect to be cut.
Mr. Sushi's name is the latest in a depressingly long line of appalling titles for local Japanese restaurants. Sushi Hut, Wasabi Sushi, and now Mr. Sushi--I imagine the next will be called "Sushi, Sushi!". I did a web search after typing that and found four restaurants called that. Only a matter of time given the local trend. I mean, if it was called Miss Sushi, like "Missushi", I would have given it marks.
So a boring name and a bad location. And I mean bad location. It's hard enough just to spot it from the road, and it's located far enough from the majority of the city's population to make a detour inconvenient. Eight tables make it an average if not above average-sized restaurant for its class. I did appreciate the J-Pop casually drifting from the speakers. It has a sushi bar, a narrow one, like your ass is half-sitting on the table behind you. It appears more a waiting area for takeout. The décor is plain with the only distinction being the numerous cheap decorations, mostly paper lamps and umbrellas. One TV without volume was utterly ignored by the crowd. There were no utensils on the tables other than sticks, which is actually a mark in their favor.
Let's get to the food, because I ordered a lot. The miso was fantastic, reminding me of the lamented Suzuran; taste buds don't forget. The tuna tataki looked good and tasted better, but given its warp speed delivery, I questioned its freshness. I mean it was Food Hydrator from Back to the Future Part 2 fast. Still, damned good, perhaps a man can love again. As I waited for the main course, I carried a conversation with another customer about ethnicity equating quality, and I've said repeatedly to those that listen (Mom) that it doesn't matter, that I've seen the best sushi restaurant in town run by Koreans. I couldn't tell you the origin of the chef at Mr. Sushi, and I won't investigate...because it doesn't matter.
My sushi was presented on wood with little flare. I did consider the portion small for the price, two nigiri, two sashimi, six cuts of roll for $13, and once again, delivered on the heels of the Roadrunner. The rolls were cut a decent size, though a view of a customer's plate concerned me, foreshadowing possible disappointment. The nigiri were a tad on the large size, enveloping the rice like a beached whale. I ended up ordering a rainbow roll to test my concern. And I was right; they cut their sushi too large. Not to the scale of the competition, but big enough to require attention. It's doesn't take long for an extra cut in a roll. As for the nigiri, fish is more expensive than rice so why not divide each one in half. I'll praise the quality of the fish though, some of the best sashimi and nigiri I've had in town for some time...which admittedly doesn't actually say very much.
I miss robust sushi combos, where you received a real broad assortment. There appears no mixed platter on this menu. The miso, appetizer, and meal was filling, but the total pushed over $25. That's not really a bad thing as I've said I'll pay extra for good sushi, but I think there needs to some issues ironed out before that cost is justified. There's no doubt when all things are considered, Mr. Sushi is about five to six dollars more than its competition. I'd love there to be lunch specials that include miso and an assortment of whatever the chef has ready to serve that afternoon. Call me spoiled; Suzuran did things right.
But that being said, Mr. Sushi hasn't angered me, call it mild disappointment, but there lies hope for improvement. It doesn't help that it's clear on the opposite side of town. In Vancouver, a 25-minute drive is nothing, barely a hop, but in Prince George, it does require driving past every alternative, no matter how inferior they are. The Hart is lucky. For once, and I do mean for once, they finally have a restaurant that isn't complete crap. It needs improvement though. Cut their nigiri a smaller, mix up a lunch special, and give me a call, because I will return.
Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Presentation: 3/5
Value: 2.5/5
Recommendation: 3/5
