Cynthia's Paradise Sushi AYCE — Restaurant in Newmarket

Honestly, my last experience here was pretty disappointing. I used to really like this place and recommend it but I don't think I will be back.

Tldr: it used to be expensive but really good ayce.. now it's just expensive. I would spend my time and money elsewhere. Many other places around and are better (and better for the price, too). And service was not good.

Food quality (and selection) has gone downhill. I used to be impressed that you could order ayce and still enjoy high quality asian cuisine, but I'm sorry to say that is no longer.

The food came out inconsistently. Much of the hot food came out only warm (soup, dumplings, chicken, etc...). Some of it came out almost instantly (the sushi, which came before my miso soup). Some of it, like the soup, took a lot longer than I expected (and often then came out warm). Some of the food I ordered on the tablet never arrived at my table at all. And funny enough, some food came to my table that I never ordered (so putting two and two together I think I can assume that my food must have arrived at someone else's table.. but trying to get a server to do something about it was more trouble than it was worth)

The sashimi and sushi was not the freshest, it wasn't off or anything but as someone who enjoys a fair bit of sushi I was disappointed (I can't remember if it was the tuna or snapper or something else but there was a piece that smelled a bit so i didn't eat it.. just not the quality I remember from when I used to go years ago).

I was not impressed by their rice dishes. Virtually all the rice dishes I ordered (curries, sushi, rice plates, etc) were overcooked and mushy.

The chicken dishes all tasted dry and like it was the exact same thing but with different sauces that very midly changed the flavour.

But I think the worst part of the experience was the service. Wait staff was hard to get a hold of, but at the same time, they felt like they were hovering, rushing to clear your plates as soon as they possibly could.

I asked a question before ordering, and the waiter almost just walked away from me before I stopped him and repeated myself. He mumbled something incoherent, so I said I didn't understand, and he seemed visibly annoyed and he huffed out the same incoherent mumblings only louder, so I just went with my gut and didn't bother asking again.

Not all the waiters around my section were as down and out rude as the main one who was assigned to my table, but I could see that the hovering and inhospitable attitude was a common theme among them.

There were several times I wanted water or to ask about my order or things that hadn't arrived, and it was hard to get anyone's attention. Even once you got someone's attention, it felt more like they were just hearing you out, and it was just in one ear out the other.

Not to mention, they had this robot serving everyone, which in fairness I guess, was meant to be a quirky cute surprise, but it's very slow and not the best suited for manuevering the tight floor plan of the restaurant - especially during busy time. Many times, the machine was causing "traffic jams" and was just clearly in the way (also, I think it was partly a cause of the food not getting to where it was supposed to).

All of this lackluster service compounded for me with the inclusion of a mandatory tip (that is for every table, I was a table of one, and it still applied). This is new, idk when they started this policy, but I think it might be the worst change yet.

Not only did I not plan on leaving a great tip (tip is dependent on service and my service was below par and my tip was going to reflect that), but I paid in cash and asked for change and my waiter actually kept the difference for himself (on top of the automatically applied tip)(I can't remember the exact number now but I expected like $6 or $7 and change back and he came back with just the $5). Honestly, it was only pocket change, but out of principle, I was just shocked by the audacity.

Overall I'm sorry to say I will not be recommending...

Although this place is called Cynthia's Paradise, I feel like it was MY paradise when I dined there 😂 The food and service was spectacular, and although at times, the food took a bit longer to arrive, it was completely understandable due to how packed the restaurant was 😁 Definitely check this place out if you're in Newmarket, and order the items I'll describe below if they sound up your alley ✨ ⠀ -[𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗣𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗘𝗦𝗔𝗥 𝗦𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗣] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 I would always get this when I dine here! It's essentially some deep fried shrimp doused in their own caesar sauce 🍤 If you are like me, and you enjoy creamy foods, this dish is for you! ⠀ -[𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗬] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 This was also very good - I like salmon belly because of how tender it is 😁 ⠀ -[𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗬𝗔𝗞𝗜 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗢𝗡] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 The sauce for this version of their cooked salmon is packed with flavor so I decided to order this as well because I am obviously in love with salmon haha. Very scrumptious as well! ⠀ -[𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦] 𝟴/𝟭𝟬 This is basically takoyaki 🐙 haha, the name on their menu sounds much more intimidating than what it actually is if you don't know your stuff. This was pretty good, and batter-y which I liked. I think the little piece of octopus inside of each one could have been bigger but still would get again! ⠀ -[𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗬 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟] 𝟵/𝟭𝟬 Just like most other spicy salmon rolls, this roll is not actually spicy 🌶️ The spicy mayo used is delicious though, and I always enjoy spicy salmon rolls like this 🔥 ⠀ -[𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗠𝗜] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 Very fresh ✨ Cut in a way that makes it super tender! I ordered at least 15 just for myself 😅 ⠀ -[𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗬 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗢𝗡/𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 I forget the exact name of this dish because it's not listed on their website but I LOVE the contrasting textures of the fish and the chip! I could have eaten 10 of each one to be honest 💃 ⠀ -[𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗜] 𝟲/𝟭𝟬 To be honest, the torching was excellent! The reason I wouldn't rate it 10/10 is because of how much mayonnaise they topped each piece with 🥲 ⠀ -[𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗠𝗜] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 The sashimi types I ordered consisted of: scallop (hotate), surf clam (hokkigai), snapper (tai), and mackerel (saba) ⠀ -[𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗛 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 Tastes like Costco fries 🔥 ⠀ -[𝗚𝗥𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗗] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 Kind of regret not ordering more of this if I'm being honest 🦑 Every piece was very tender, and whatever sauce they used paired really well with it! ⠀ -[𝗧𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗨/𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗚𝗨𝗥𝗧/𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢 𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗢] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 Love how each of these desserts are basically just one shot because it allows you to try so many of them ✨ ⠀ -[𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗣𝗨𝗙𝗙𝗦] 𝟭𝟬/𝟭𝟬 Bite sized but FILLED with cream 🥰 Not too sweet! ⠀ -[𝗦𝗢𝗙𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗨𝗧/𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬] 𝟲/𝟭𝟬 To be honest, the coconut side was very tasty! The blueberry side though... I wish I could say the same. Still not quite sure what the blueberry side tasted like but I was not a fan for sure 😭 I still finished it though because wasting food is something I am also not a fan of even at all you...

Try Komachi, Kibo, Sushi Sushi. All much better options! Don’t waste your money.

Update to the update: It’s not about the false charge or the money anymore. The fact that after reaching out to a restaurant that we have been going to for the last 5 years just ignores our calls and messages is the real issue. Consider eating at other local spots if you read this. I have some good recommendations for the area if interested. Places we love, owned by families local to the area. In fact I’ll review them and give them the ratings they deserve. Happy holidays!

Update: Restaurant continues to ignore calls and even acknowledge that the charge was unfair. Employee on the phone very rude. I’m actually surprised that they have decided to go this route. We’ve been loyal customers for years.

This weekend we ordered Cynthia’s through Uber Eats. We cancelled our order immediately after it went through because we wanted to change an item, and then reissued the correct order right away. Only one of our orders was delivered. The next day we noticed that we were charged for both orders (two almost exact orders to the same address)

Uber Eats said that it’s because the restaurant had accepted the first order within the cancellation/grace period, and “started to prepare our food”, but that we should call them and the restaurant can fix the problem.

Which we did, thinking that since we are regular customers who eat in and order take out, they would help us with this issue. Possibly even a credit or gift card.

Not the case. We were just met with “there’s nothing we can do” and would not give us anyone in management to talk to.

Whoever answered the phone today was very rude. Only answering with a “no” and refused to let us speak to someone else, which was surprising.

It is very unfortunate. We have been patrons of the restaurant for years. Family dinners, family celebrations, work events.

It’s a shame that a restaurant is willing to lose long time patrons over one mishap with an order.

I guess we will find somewhere else to go in the area although we are still hoping this review is seen and the situation...