TA-KE Sushi Review | Charlottetown’s Hit-or-Miss Izakaya

Here’s a polished and professional English version of your review, expanded to approximately 800 words while maintaining all key details and adding contextual insights: 🏮 TA-KE Sushi Review | Charlottetown’s Hit-or-Miss Izakaya 📍 First Impressions After days of PEI’s lobster/oyster feasts, we craved lighter fare and stumbled upon this unassuming izakaya at the Queen/Sydney intersection. Vibe: • Compact space with 2/4-seat tables (no groups >4) • Generic anime posters + paper lantern decor • Red Flags: Sticky floors, AC vent blasting our table Timing: • Arrived 7pm (2hrs before closing) • Later learned: Sushi rice fails after 6:30pm 🍣 What We Ordered 1. Chicken Udon ($16) • Noodles: Chewy, decent thickness • Broth: Cloyingly sweet (mirin overload?) • Chicken: Shredded too thick – felt like leftovers 2. "Battleship" Sashimi Platter ($45) The Good: • Salmon Belty: 2 fatty cuts melted like butter • Tuna/Snapper: Fresh, clean slices The Bad: • Arctic Clam: Gritty sand in every bite • Presentation: Impressive boat... but why make servers carry 10lb trays alone? 3. Sushi Rolls • Rice: Hard, fridge-cold (day-old texture) • Tempura Crunch: Soggy (likely pre-fried at lunch) • Irony: Took 30min to arrive despite seeming pre-made 4. "Bonus" Miso Soup • Flavor: Salt bomb (undissolved miso paste clumps) • Ingredients: Missing tofu/seaweed – just 3 lonely scallions 💔 Service Breakdown Issue Detail Seating Dumped by kitchen/toilet despite empty window tables Water Forgotten until we begged mid-meal Soup Refills Not offered – had to request twice Check-Ins Zero attention until tip confrontation Final Straw: Server challenged our 5% tip then blamed our 7pm arrival for stale rice. 📊 Brutally Honest Ratings Category Rating Notes Sashimi 🌟🌟🌟 Only redeeming feature Cooked Food 🌟 Udon/tempura = lazy Hygiene 🌟🌟 Sticky floors, grim bathroom Value $ Sashimi-only worth half price Price Benchmark: • Same $45 could get 2 lobster rolls at nearby waterfront spots 🍱 Sushi Science Fail Why Their Rice Sucked: 1. Temperature Abuse: Left at room temp too long → hardened 2. Vinegar Ratio: Too low → dry texture 3. Old Fish: Some toppings felt pre-cut for lunch How It Should Be: • Rice: Body-temperature + slightly sticky • Fish: Cut to-order (not pre-plated) 💡 Survival Guide If You Must Go: 1. Time It: Arrive before 6pm for fresher rice 2. Order Smart: Stick to sashimi + beer 3. Seat Hack: Refuse tables near kitchen/AC Better Alternatives: • Hokkaido Ramen (for noodles) • Blue Mussel Cafe (for seafood) 🗣️ Owner Feedback Needed Simple Fixes: • Rice Refresh: Make small batches every 2hrs • Staff Training: Basic water/check-in protocols • Cleanliness: Hourly bathroom checks Final Verdict: "Avoid unless desperate for raw fish – and even then, inspect each piece for grit." PEIEats #SushiFail #Charlottetown #HonestReviews