Nomé Izakaya - North York

About 10 minutes after we were seated, a new server took over our table, but she didn't introduce herself or inform us about the automatic gratuity for parties of six. One of my friends ordered a traditional margarita, which wasn’t mentioned on the cocktail menu. When it arrived, it didn’t taste like a classic margarita at all. She asked our server if she could get a different drink. The server returned from the bar and explained that they don’t prepare margaritas in the traditional way, but she couldn’t take the drink back or remove it from our bill—despite the fact that their recipe wasn't listed on the menu and the server hadn't informed us about the differences.

On my first visit to a Japanese restaurant, I had the pleasure of enjoying sushi and a selection of other authentic Japanese dishes. While I have to admit that the prices are on the higher side, the incredible culinary experience made it well worth the cost. The dishes were packed with delicious flavors that left a lasting impression, and sharing the experience with friends made it even more enjoyable.

I've dined at both the Yonge location and the Shops at Don Mills, and I personally preferred the atmosphere at Yonge, likely because there was some fantastic old-school music playing during our visit. However, I've been frequenting the Shops at Don Mills lately since it's more convenient for parking. The dishes are meant for sharing, so they come in smaller sizes. Everything we ordered on our latest visit was tasty—not exceptional, but definitely satisfying. The service was friendly and reasonably attentive. The space isn't very large, but it boasts high ceilings, and with patio season in full swing, it effectively doubles in size with many guests dining outside.

Next, we tried the Bulgogi Tacos, which were equally generous in portion and just as tasty, featuring the same delicious garlic mayo as the burgers. Our next choice was the Nome Fried Chicken; it was well-cooked, served hot, and had a nice spicy kick. Each order came with a selection of sauces, and we opted for the sweet chili sauce. We also ordered a 21-piece sashimi (Moriawase) platter, showcasing fresh fish with stunning presentation. We had initially wanted to order the 30-piece option, but it wasn't available that evening, likely due to the limited selection of fish—this was only a minor inconvenience for us. Then came the Lobster Fantasy roll. While we liked it, we found the flavor to be somewhat average. Although it was marketed as a deep-fried lobster tail roll, the other ingredients overshadowed the lobster flavor, making it easy to mistake it for shrimp or deep-fried crab. We also tried the Crispy Pork Belly, which lived up to its description—crispy and accompanied by seaweed paste, fresh ginger, and green onions. Finally, we ordered the Yam Fries, which were a hit with our daughter; she loved the generous portion. All in all, we had a fantastic dining experience and will definitely be returning. The menu offers a wide variety of items, and I look forward to trying more on our next visit. My daughter was particularly keen on sampling the Mac and Cheese, but unfortunately, it wasn’t available that night. There was plenty of parking at the Shops at Don Mills, with both covered and outdoor options. Thank you, Nome Izakaya, for a wonderful evening!

The food was satisfactory, but to be honest, it didn't quite meet my expectations. Additionally, the service was rather slow.