Hamaru Sushi — Restaurant in Toronto

EDIT: I am writing this after reading the reply from the restaurant. You have definitely mistaken our visit with someone else's family. We were not a family of 8, and there were no children present. It was my parents (2), my inlaws (2) and my husband and myself. A group of 6 customers, who absolutely did wait to be seated. It was myself that attempted to close the curtain, I barely touched it before I was rudely approached by the waitress. I understand having a small business, both my parents were small business owners and never once have they treated their customers as poorly as I was treated that day.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: I've been a regular at this restaurant for at least six years, often ordering takeout or dining in for lunch. I understand the ownership has changed at least once—maybe more—over that time. Unfortunately, my last visit was so disappointing that I felt compelled to write this review. It was such a horrible experience that I waited a long time before deciding to share it.

Last summer, I brought my parents and in-laws here for lunch. Upon arrival, the waitress scolded us for not having made a reservation—despite the fact that only one or two other couples were dining at the time. I apologized and explained that I had been a frequent customer and hadn’t realized reservations were required. She brushed me off and hurriedly seated us at a table by the window. Since the sun was glaring, I pulled the curtain closed—only to be met with an unreasonably harsh response from the waitress. I’ve never had someone in the service industry speak to me that way. I sat down feeling as though I had done something terribly wrong.

My parents and in-laws were so appalled that we couldn’t imagine enjoying a meal there, so we decided to leave before ordering. While I had previously enjoyed many meals at this restaurant, one terrible experience was enough to ensure I’d never ever return. I’ve also noticed similar complaints about the service in other reviews, often met with defensive and disrespectful replies.

We now frequent Robo Sushi or Gonoe...

My office went to Hamaru Sushi for lunch. We ordered the Sushi Sashimi Lunch, Chicken Teriyaki Lunch, Udon Noodle, and a Dragon Roll.

The Lunches come with soup and salad, but we didn't get salad. Instead we got spicy salmon hand-roll.

The food: 6 out of 5 stars. The fish is super fresh. The portion is great! I can't even finish my Sushi Sashimi Lunch. I got sushi, sashimi, maki roll, rice, and side dish. My friend who got the dragon roll, says it was also great; very tasty. And it looks great - the presentation on its own is 5 stars. The miso soup is managing! Probably one of the best miso soup I had.

The Udon Noodle is very light, my friend who ordered it was not expecting it to be so light tasted. So if you are looking for light tastes food with soup, this is your pick.

The service: 3.5 stars. The waitress didn't smile much; at times it seems she's annoyed serving us. She has very badly put heavy makeup, which is not very appetizing.

The environment: 4 stars. This place is very clean - also the time we went, there isn't many people. Looks new or newly renovated.

Overall would recommend. The price for the lunch special/combo is about $13. And it serves a fruit cup after the meal too, which is the part I like the most at this place -...

As a Vancouverite, I was skeptical about eating sushi in Toronto, but my friend assured me it was always good at this restaurant, and he was right: it was some of the best sushi I have ever eaten!

I had never had "Butterfish" sashimi and it blew my mind! 🤯 The texture was, like the name suggests, like butter - so soft and unctuous! Mild in the fish sense, yet very flavourful, almost like... I don't even know how to describe it - I am HOOKED!

We also had Hamachi and Yellowfin sashimi; both were excellent!

The assorted tempura was absolutely perfect: hot, very crispy, perfect amount of crunch. The prawns were so tender and juicy! The veggies were perfectly cooked (at many places, yam tempura is often terribly undercooked, IMO).

The other home run was the Diablo Roll, YUM!!! All the rice was perfectly moist and tender - very fresh; the flavour combination was unexpected and sooo delicious! I wouldn't have thought of putting pickled jalapeños in a sushi roll - it was subtle and punchy, all at the same time. 😋

Our server was very polite and helpful; she left us to talk and didn't bother us every 5 minutes, but seemed to be right there when we needed her.

I will definitely be back - hopefully to meet my old friend there...