Kazumi Sushi Lounge — Restaurant in Montreal

As is our tradition, my son and I were looking forward to a wonderful sushi experience (his treat for my birthday 🥳) at Kazumi. I had been looking forward to eating there since falling upon this restaurant on Facebook. The images I saw were tantalizing and we were prepared to make the drive to the east end all the way from the West Island. Getting to the point, we couldn’t have been more disappointed on every level. If you check the menu, this is not an inexpensive restaurant so expectations may have been unrealistically high. Kazumi is located in a nondescript strip mall, no problem finding parking. We arrived on time for our reservation Sunday night at 7pm and were promptly seated. The decor is dated with 70’s globe light fixtures and drab leaf wall paper. Speakers protrude from the walls but the music played throbs and is indistinguishable. A white tablecloth covers each table and is then topped with a paper table topper. When a table was vacated, the hostess would simply swap out the paper topper even though the previous topper had clearly been soaked through to the linen with food, drink and soy sauce. It took 20 minutes before we even received a pitcher of water and only after asking for it. We then asked the pleasant, young waiter for some suggestions and began the wait. One waiter for, by my count, 20ish tables. Our first dish arrived after exactly 1 hour and 5 minutes from our arrival. It was the tuna steak and it arrived looking NOTHING like the menu picture. Five slices of cold tuna drenched in sauce. In fact, I was so disappointed that I got up from the table to question the lone waiter at which point I was addressed by the owner who told me that since they were out of the deep, rich coloured tuna part like the picture, he had substituted the tastier and more expensive but darker belly section. I went back to the table without any satisfactory explanation of the cold tuna or the soaking sauce that smothered it. The next two dishes were fresh, the correct temperature but unremarkable and both sitting next to a puddle of the same thick sauce, no ginger, no wasabi. My son then received his shrimp tempura roll and after we each had one piece, we returned it as it was served ice cold, as if the entire roll had been sitting in a refrigerator, unacceptable. They replaced it with a fresh one and along with the last dish, a kamikaze. The kamikaze, a Montreal staple, was also served cold (or its ingredients in deep-chill) and I was unable to so much as taste a single bite that had any tempura flakes in it. While tolerating the last two dishes, a smell of sewage wafted through our section which was noticed by both of us and the couple at a table next to us, the female at that table dining while wearing her winter coat because our section was so cold. This restaurant seems to invest more in social media images, which is certainly what drew us in, than delivering a great dining experience. There is so much to dissect that it’s actually pointless. Under no circumstances would we return,...

Came here on a Sunday evening for the first time with my wife and her friends. The food is not bad, but the service is TERRIBLE. We had to wait over 30 minutes to take our orders. My wife alerted the waitress about her allergies. I do not recall seeing the waitress write any of them down, but this detail is not important. Our friends ordered a la carte and Omakase. My wife and I ordered a la carte. After about 20-30 minutes, my wife's order arrived. The restaurant was helpful in making a dish to accommodate my wife's allergies. I was thankful for this, however, the soba noodles came drenched in garlic butter which my wife is severely allergic to. We had to wait another 5-10 minutes just to let our waitress know that there was an issue with the food. I need to point out that at this time, nobody else except my wife recieved any food. We told her not to wait and go ahead and eat first as we expected to get our food shortly after. When we were able to alert the waitress about the food allergy contamination, my wife reiterated about her allergies, and asked the kitchen to be more careful. The waitress then snapped back and said that she told them already. No apologies were offered. My wife continued to eat the other portions of her meal while the rest of us had to wait some more. A new portion of soba noodles arrived and were carelessly thrown onto the table. The bowl almost tipped over spilling the noodles as the bowl was just dropped onto the table so carelessly. Once again, there was no apology or acknowledgement for their mistake. It was at this time my wife realized that the edamame she had ordered did not arrive yet. My wife was able to almost eat all of her food before the rest of our party's food arrived. When our food arrived, we had been in the restaurant for well over an hour. My friends received the first 2 courses of their omakase meal, and I received the sushi and maki that I'd ordered. Halfway through my meal the edamame finally showed up. We offered some of the edamame to our friends to eat as they were waiting for the remaining 4 courses of their meal to be served. Another 20 minutes go by before we are able to flag down a different member of the wait staff to order our desserts. Some more time passes waiting for the desserts to be served. Our friends receive their 3rd course just before our dessert arrives. We laugh and try to make light of the fact that we are rotating between watching each other eat throughout the night. Our friends remaining courses show up after spending a total of just under 3 hours in the restaurant. While waiting for our food to arrive, I decided to read the reviews on the restaurant. There were a few reviews less than 24 hours of my visit alerting other of the long wait times. I am giving this restaurant a 1 star rating due to the horrid waiting times and even worse lack of customer care. My wife could have ended up in the hospital if not for her being cautious, and suspicious of how they were handling...

A Culinary Masterpiece! Kazumi is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience that transcends the ordinary.

My history with this gem dates back to 2017, and since then, it has become a cornerstone of our culinary adventures. Each visit reaffirms our belief that Kazumi is a standout not only in Montreal but perhaps among the finest sushi restaurants worldwide. The chef’s boundless creativity and mastery in blending unique flavors create a dining experience that feels unparalleled.

We had the pleasure of dining there again yesterday, and as always, our expectations were exceeded. From the moment we were warmly greeted, the service was flawless. Within minutes, we were comfortably seated, served water and green tea, and even provided with a bucket of ice to ensure our wine stayed perfectly chilled—a thoughtful touch that exemplifies their attention to detail.

As longtime fans, we once again chose the chef’s tasting menu, which has never failed to amaze us. This time, however, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. The creations presented were so innovative, so meticulously crafted, that we firmly believe the chef is deserving of a Michelin star. Every dish was a testament to his commitment to excellence.

The ingredients were of impeccable quality—fresh, vibrant, and perfectly balanced. Each plate arrived at the ideal temperature and was accompanied by a detailed explanation of its composition, along with recommendations on how to savor it fully. Watching the chefs work their magic just meters from our table added a captivating layer to the evening, turning the meal into a performance as much as a feast.

One standout moment was witnessing the chef carefully shave fresh black truffle over a beautifully baked oyster, a masterpiece both in presentation and taste. It was a sensory experience that delighted not just our palates but also our eyes and minds.

The ambiance at Kazumi is warm and inviting, striking the perfect balance between cozy intimacy and open transparency, allowing guests to feel connected to the artistry happening in the kitchen. Each dish is crafted with such precision and passion that it’s impossible not to be awestruck.

This recent visit reaffirmed what we’ve always known: Kazumi is a culinary treasure. The chef’s tasting menu showcased his unparalleled talent and artistic vision, leaving us with memories that will linger long after the last bite. We’re already counting down the days until our next visit, and we can only hope Michelin takes notice of this...