Hoseki Sushi Omakase Bar — Restaurant in Oakville

This is not “high end”. As someone who is Japanese and actually worked as a high end Japanese restaurant server, I was highly disappointed in the experience. We ordered the sushi set and the tuna nigiri and some other nigiri had garlic flavour and was very confused because we didn’t get any explanation on the chefs choice of nigiri. When I used to work as a server I would describe what fish it is on each nigiri. Instead the server had no explanation. We asked why there was garlic flavour on some of the nigiri’s and he explained that this is the restaurant specialty… as a Japanese person I was confused because never in my life I had garlic inside a toro or tuna nigiri let alone no explanation of it. In fact it tasted like a residue of garlic. Like they used same knife or something instead of cleaning or using fresh tools….

The set on the menu seemed pretty traditional and that kind of “specialty” should be explained because we did not like the garlic flavour which caught us offguard. (And the rice was automatically brown which should be optional. I would prefer white rice for nigiri and maki)

We asked why didn’t we get an explanation on this garlic and server said he had no time for us to explain what’s on the nigiri since he literally said “I was too busy with serving other customers and had no time for you so come back next time when we are less busy” lmao it was Wednesday….and that explanation was…extremely rude and unprofessional…I was stunned didn’t know what to say honestly…this is…not high end as they say…

I worked at a high end sushi place for many years and some days I worked alone but never have I ever explained to a customer that way. I would make sure they know what fish they are eating. On top of that I would ask if there are any allergies to take note of. Imagine if I was allergic to garlic???? I just think this server made the reason up on the whim cuz honestly it makes absolute no sense at all.

Another reason this place is not high end: Someone brought a baby cart inside the small restaurant right at the entrance and taking up much space with baby crying a lot and turns out all of them were family members /staffs of the restaurant. The lady with yoga pants and t shirt was bussing while watching the baby. This is not what you will see at a high end restaurant period. It’s trying to be something that is not. It felt like a food court lol. Even the way she bussed, she never said excuse me. Her arms suddenly reached over out of nowhere like we were at dim sum or something.

Conclusion is no one here has absolutely no clue what a high end dining experience is and it a a shame that this type of restaurant exists in oakville. It’s embarrassing.

I will not be back and will not be recommending this especially to my Japanese...

“A bad-tasting dinner is all in your head.”

After a disappointing dinner, I tried speaking to Chef Tim but was told he was “unavailable.”

So, I’ll just post it here instead:

I’ve been to Hoseki 3 times now because it’s close to home, and I believe in supporting a new business. I’ve even brought my family for Omakase dinners twice to convince them to be regulars at your restaurant. My wife and son are sushi experts and have dined in Michelin-star restaurants by the Master Sushi Chef’s table. They know their sushi. While I do not. So, I trust my family’s taste.

I brought my friends from out of town a few nights ago. When my wife tasted one tuna that was off (the sashimi had a noticeably different color, and a portion had a fishy aftertaste), Chef Tim came by to explain that the tuna hadn’t cured completely. Because the color was also darker, Chef Tim said it was “all in your head. The taste is different because you’re just thinking it.” The chef repeated, “Sometimes our head plays tricks on us.” He went on to explain and provided another slice to prove it was our mistake, not his.

This was not the first time Chef Tim did this. On a separate occasion and for my son’s Omakase birthday dinner recently, the chef talked condescendingly that my son asked me, “Why does he think I’m stupid?”

My wife and son are raised to be humble, so they remain quiet and don’t argue despite being humiliated and treated like idiots.

Since the chef loves “educating patrons,” I will return the gesture: Do not insult a host in front of their guests.

Master chefs do not talk down on customers or insult them at dinner.

This is the wrong way to treat customers, especially those trying to promote your business. I have since pulled my review for the Burlington location.

I’m curious: If Chef Tim knew the tuna wasn’t ready, why did...

For those beginner who doesn’t know how to eat sushi, this is THE PLACE you want to go and learn. I am not a sushi fan because I had bad experience in the past at other places. I like to eat every thing cook, if I see anything is raw I hesitate to try until now.

I met Chef Tim he is an amazing Chef. I told him I preferred cooked sushi like California rolls etc. Chef Tim asked me to sit at the bar and explained to me every details how sushi should be eaten. So I opened my mind and give it a try I have nothing to lose. I followed Chef Tim instructions as he served me pieces of varieties of sushi. When I eat sushi I always have to dip with wasabi well this time is not the case. Every thing he served was delicious. He made my palette changed towards sushi. I am very picky if it’s not cook I don’t eat. I don’t like the smell of fish in my mouth.

As a visitor from Vancouver, I’m very happy I had an opportunity to visit Hoseki Restaurant. This place is REAL DEAL for sushi lover. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED I GUARANTEED YOU THAT. Where ever you live, it’s worth the trip. It will be very hard for me to find a sushi place that has high quality in Vancouver like HOSEKI.

I would give HOSEKI a 5 Star rating including GREAT Service with...