Minato Sushi Japanese Restaurant
1520 Queen St.
Halifax 420-0331
Rating: *****
Dinner for two with drinks: $50
Signature Dish: Sashimi Dinner
Signature Drink: Green Tea
There’s something especially satisfying about Japanese cuisine. And where better to get a fine feast than at Minato Sushi in downtown Halifax? It is a comfortable restaurant in a neat old house where you can watch the chef in action. The extensive menu also includes Korean dishes.
We start our meal with Gyoza ($5.95 for five) — delicious and light vegetable dumplings with a tempura sauce. Our entrées come with Akadashi Soup, made of red soybean paste, bonito broth, tofu and seaweed. It is delicate and soothing.
My pal has the Sashimi Dinner ($19.50), a large assortment of raw fish on a salad. This stunning arrangement of fresh tuna, salmon, surf clam, octopus and yellowtail is excellent.
My Yokohama Dinner ($19.50) is equally beautiful and fresh with10 pieces of nigiri — seafood on rice — including barbecued eel, tuna, salmon, surf clam, red snapper and shrimp. There are also six salmon rolls. What a treat.
Our servers are personable and prompt. They seem as happy to be here as we are.
Dining out
INEVITABLE FOOD The Inevitable Gallery is the latest venture at Cocoa Pesto Bistro, Woodshire Inn, Windsor. Visit Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a “Selection of Simple Snacks and Festive Libations.” Call 472-3300 or visit www.cocoapesto.com.
FOOD AS ART Cheapside Café, in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, 1723 Hollis St., continues to provide an elegant respite for art lovers. Their menu includes desserts from the famous Scanway. Call 425-4494 or visit www.cheapside.ca.
In brief
BIG REDS AT THE Q Saturday, at Q Smokehouse, 1580 Argyle St. Tickets are $35 for the wine school (4 p.m.), $50 for the dinner (6 p.m.) or $80 for both. Wine class includes instruction, course materials and five wine samples. E-mail mark@bytheglass.ca.
