Haru Sushi & Grill — Restaurant in Calgary

I recently visited this sushi place with high hopes, but unfortunately, my experience fell short of expectations. While the ambiance was pleasant and the service was satisfactory, the quality of the food left much to be desired.

The beef rolls I ordered were disappointingly dry and lacked the juiciness and tenderness that I had anticipated. The meat seemed overcooked, resulting in a tough texture that didn't complement the sushi well. I was genuinely looking forward to savoring the flavors of the beef rolls, but they failed to deliver on taste and texture.

Even the California rolls, which are usually a reliable choice, were merely average. They lacked the freshness and flavor that I have come to expect from a sushi establishment. The ingredients seemed somewhat lackluster, and the overall taste was underwhelming.

While the restaurant had other menu options that might have been more satisfying, the experience with the beef rolls and California rolls left me with a sense of disappointment. Sushi lovers like myself tend to have high standards when it comes to quality and taste, and unfortunately, this place didn't meet those expectations.

On a positive note, the service was attentive and the ambiance was pleasant, creating a comfortable atmosphere for dining. The staff members were polite and helpful, which enhanced the overall experience to some extent.

However, based on my visit and the unsatisfactory quality of the beef rolls and California rolls, I can only give this sushi place three stars. I would encourage the management to take note of these concerns and strive to improve the consistency and quality of their sushi offerings.

Ultimately, if you're seeking an exceptional sushi experience, I would recommend exploring other options in the area before settling on this particular...

I've been going to Haru Sushi in McKenzie Towne since the week they opened. They were amazing right out of the gate... one of my favourite sushi places in Calgary. Portion sizes, food quality, great staff, and appealing venue.

Over the last two years, everything has declined. Last week was probably our last visit if things stay the same.

We've gone from eating (eating in or take out) 3-4 times a month to once a month at best.

Onsite customer service has been okay however they seem to be quite indifferent on the phone when we order takeout. When we call for takeout, they used to always answer the phone, there would be a lot of enthusiasm, their system would call up our previous order, etc. Now, answering the phone is hit and miss and they no longer see us as a frequent customer.

Food quality has significantly declined. Often, when ordering rolls, ie: Rainbow Roll, the tuna is still slightly frozen. The seaweed in their rolls has been rather chewy lately and the stickiness of their rice is 50/50... will it stay together or not???

Portions sizes have gotten smaller...

Lastly, regarding food quality, the freshness of the sushi/sashimi has really declined to the point where I really believe it's on par with fast food like Edo Japan.

The venue is a little run down and requires some TLC. A simple paint job and spot repairs are all it needs - otherwise, the place is clean.

They use to serve food on porcelain dishes... now, cheap plastic dishes that you would expect in fewer quality establishments.

I hope they do. Haru used to be a venue of choice... then it slid to a venue of convenience... and now it's neither.

The good news is, all of these issues are easy to fix... I just gave you all the answers to make...

updated 2018 I am unsure of what has happened to Haru but my past experience pales in comparison to what this restaurant used to be. While the food quality has suffered a little bit, the portion size has been drastically reduced. Before the rolls where pretty generous, even the less expensive items. But now the rolls have shrunk at least 25% while the prices have gone up.

For example, the Negi Toro now barley resembles a roll, but more like a wrap, with barley any fish in it, and actually barley any rice. It was so small that my 3 year old could probably fit 2 of them in her mouth at the same time.

My old favourite, the Stampeder roll has also suffered. Before the roll featured thick cuts of fish and also thick cuts of toppings like avacado and mango. Now the topping slices are thinner than packaged ham, and the there is barely enough fish to give the roll any shape at all.

It pains me to update my review to take away stars, but the quality has really gone downhill. The restaurant itself is still clean and service is passible but the food has really suffered and declined. I hope that in response to these low star reviews, Haru will get back on track to what it used to be.

2013 review Always a good experience, be it take out or dine in, Haru always hits the spot. Service is excellent and the Staff is always friendly, prompt and courteous. They always greet you with a smile, even if they are slammed. The food also shines, the Sushi is always well formed and does not fall to pieces, and the hot food is always done perfectly. Try the Stampeder Roll, best one...