Hanabi Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Springwater

We had the dinner for 2, which is essentially 105$. This was about 5 courses of food. The miso was fine, the seaweed salad was OK. The tempura was excellent. The main fish course is where it fell apart. It's a meal designed for 2, there were 5 pieces of sushi...there were 3 peices of salmon. Sashimi and a random assortment of other sashimi. The tuna was not great, I am thinking either low grade or twice frozen. The color was washed out of it and the texture was way off. There was a few other pieces that were OK, but then the unidentifiable ones that the table next to us were speculating was tilapia?! I thought some type of snapper, but it wasn't like any red or yellowtail I have had. There was a piece of ebi sushi, but then there were these 5 sad little cocktail shrimp that had been sitting in water for a while and the texture and flavour were gone... and beyond that, they just don't belong on a fish platter, imagine a green bean duty in half, that was the size of them. Just wierd. There were 2 identical rolls, which were not my favorite for sure. Fake crab salad with mayo? And a shrimp. Far too large in diameter for a single bite.

Then the teppanyaki came out, just take the cooks blowtorch away. The charred chemical taste was very overpowering. Had to be a butane torch and no restraint. There are a couple of options for protein in this course, bulgogi is one, which is a strange choice for a Japanese restaraunt being a traditional Korean dish.

The green tea Ice-cream was OK. Service was OK. I asked for more tea but didn't get it, but my water was refilled a couple times. The soy was meh. It didn't taste like kikkoman, or any brewed soy, but I am probably wrong on that. Maybe it was just some low sodium version.

Being that it's in elmvale, I would like to try and fault a supplier here, but there were just too many technical issues. There were wierd cuts, potentially poor handling and strange proportions for a dinner for 2. Oh there was also a mackerel (?) Herring (?) With roe, that appeared to be box pressed, I would pass on that unless you really enjoy more traditional strong fish flavour,

My wife and I did not feel like we got good value. Which is too bad because every restaraunt had potential, particularly one rooted in tradition and technique. Which brings me to the chopsticks. I have never been given metal chopstics in any Japanese reataraunt. They are horrible. Just get rid of them. Heavy, cold and they react with certain fish. However, this is another thing that is distinctly korean.

Should you try this restaraunt? If you live in the area and want an interesting experience, go for it. If you live in the city, or even barrie, I would not drive up to try, as we did. There are a lot of more authentic Japanese experiences available in those areas. Finally, fwiw, they served me the best water I have ever had in a restaurant, cold and I guess...

This is the best sushi place anywhere in this area. You will pay grocery store prices for restaurant quality food.

I'm not a fan of eating in a restaurant but no matter when I come in they're always clean, peaceful, and friendly and they make me wish I had time to sit down for a meal. If you order for a certain time they will never make you wait.

Their food is, again, the best. I come to work on Fridays just because I know I will order from them for lunch.

I always get the lunch special because its a lot of high quality food for a very affordable price, presented beautifully. I even treated my family to this once and they could not stop talking about it. And the quality of fish is incredible.

They also accommodate for allergies. There was no complaints or cross-contamination in the food, and it was enjoyed safely, so even those who don't or can't eat fish, there are plenty of...

I was BLOWN away by this place. I am from a bit city and have tried tons of different sushi places. This place has to be in my top 5. Tried this place out randomly since we were in the area, ans WOW if I’m ever nearby I will be making the trip here again. The food was so so good, flavours were amazing, very fresh, very high quality. We had a sushi tray with sashimi, sushi, and rolls, perfect combinations and quantities. We also had the pancake for dessert, and this deserves a rating of it’s own, 11/10!! I have never had anything like that, I will be thinking about that one. Service was friendly and quick, restaurants is a great vibe. Prices are very fair as well. Nothing not to love here except I wish it was closer to where I live so I could have it...