Masaki Sushi — Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake

My wife and I were having a day trip with our two children (6yrs and 14mo) and we had just finished having a wonderful time visiting a local winery and had decided that we would get some sushi. First, when we arrived we had to carry the stroller down several flights of stairs (as there was no obvious access for those who can’t take stairs). Second, after traversing this difficult entrance we were met with a rather abrupt, “do you have a reservation?”… no “hello, how are you?”… no “can I help with the door?”… Rather, impolite. Third, we were quickly told that there were no availabilities for hours and even then only at the bar… so we left… I should mention at this point that my wife is black… and that there were several empty tables when we arrived… I think this is relevant because when I called to book a table 3-5min after leaving they said I could come right on in and there were a couple other times as well.

There were other small children in the restaurant, so I don’t think it was because of the kids. I think they saw my wife’s complexion (black) and made a decision.

I asked to speak to the manager regarding my concerns and our treatment and have not heard back. The hostess claims there was a last minute cancellation… if that was the case why didn’t they grab us while we waited outside trying to figure out what we were doing for dinner?

Either way, I believe we were discriminated against and I believe their behavior was atrocious.

We will be unlikely to visit this area again… due to...

We read so many positive reviews and were so looking forward to something special. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with our experience.

First off, the atmosphere wasn't very appealing as the restaurant is located in the basement of the Moffat Inn. The walls were pretty bare - had some Japanese artwork but blended into the walls. The lighting was standard ... just didn't have the warmth. After being seated, we waited 10 minutes til a waitress came over to greet us and offer water.

We didn't order sushi but the bistro dinners (maybe a mistake on our part). The meals were not spectacular. My wife ordered the Spicy Sashimi Salad appetizer & Gindara dinner. The presentation of the salad was very disappointing with fake crab pieces at the side. My wife can usually handle spicy food but this dish was simply too spicy. Her main course had 2 small pieces of cod and large amount of tempura. I ordered the Yaki Niku Don ... there was a good amount of beef but it was quite salty. I also tried one of their sake flights where you get to sample 3 different versions of sake. I'm not an expert in this field but usually when I have sake, it is served warm or cold. Unfortunately, the sake was served at room temperature so perhaps this contributed to the fact I wasn't wowed by the wine.

Our server was good & attentive but the food was not worth the...

We visited Masaki Sushi for lunch today, and it was our first time there. The restaurant has a quaint, cozy feel. When we arrived, we were the only customers, and throughout the lunch hour there were maybe about 15 people in total. It never felt crowded or noisy, which made for a really pleasant atmosphere.

The service was excellent—our server was attentive and friendly. Unlike many other sushi spots, this isn’t an all-you-can-eat place. Instead, the focus is on quality, and I honestly found it much better. The prices are similar to an AYCE restaurant, but the amount of food you get is still very satisfying—especially if you’re a sensible eater. Some meals come with appetizers, and the sushi is prepared right in front of you at the bar, which adds a nice touch to the experience.

We also tried the sake, which came with a little note describing the tasting notes—floral, fruity, and so on. It was a thoughtful detail that made the experience even better.

The only drawback is that you do have to go down a small set of stairs to enter, which could be a challenge for those with mobility issues.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and we’ll definitely be back. Masaki Sushi is a great spot if you’re looking for delicious, freshly made sushi in a...