Minato Sushi — Restaurant in Lake Forest

I have not been to Minato in years! When I first moved to Laguna Hills a few years ago, I was so desperate for Asian food. I was also young and could not gain weight. Times have changed and I no longer take on food challenges... So when it was time to eat at another AYCE place. I wasn't ready to blow a year of hard work in one meal. I'm not on a diet, but I did lose a few LBs this year.

Here's a tip. AYCE doesn't mean MORE than you can eat. Just eat what you like and don't try to stuff your face. There's enough people that do, so be a little different. Try to enjoy what you are eating.

Here's the strategy:

Rolls are the largest items. Make sure to only eat one or 2 rolls and share with your friends. If your friend doesn't eat much, don't order more than one roll, because a whole roll is too much for an average person.

Appetizers. Skip it! The only exception is I would start with some miso soup, but you don't need rice to go with it. Also avoid all the fried foods if you can. After you eat a lot of food, the oil will try to get out of your stomach. Not trying to graphic, but you may need to release the evil within later.

I know it's tempting to load up on items that you like, but try not to order 3 or 4 of the same item. Use the first round to sample items that you might like (1 or 2) orders is fine.

After the first round, that's when you turn it up a notch. NO MORE ROLLS! That seems like a rule you can use at any restaurant :). Since AYCE does not include sashami. Stick to the Premium and sushi it's only!! A small piece of fish on rice is all you need. Eat slowly and enjoy. If you feel a little full, switch to your absolute favorite item.

Once you are ready to throw in the towel. Finish your meal off with some green tea ice cream to clean your pallet.

Lastly, raise your arms like a Field Goal was just scored and drop your napkin like it's a microphone. You did it!

Hit the gym tomorrow, but don't feel guilty today. You did it!

If you are looking for descent-ish Sushi come here. If you eat a lot and you are not Asian, you will like this place. If you want quality or you are very picky, go somewhere else.

Recommended to try, but you may either love or...

The food was fantastic but the service was completely lack luster. The initial server assigned to the table was slammed so her inability to greet and attend to the waiting party at the table makes sense. The the second server arrived was curt and grossly chewing her gum. I was trying to turn her personality around to make a better situation and asked what her favorite roll was. She seemed annoyed by this question and remained curt with our table. Her eyerolls were a particular favorite to our dining experience. I tried to ask her for water several times but she kept blowing our table off for another table who seemed to have been regulars. The third server assigned was super sweet and pleasant, she seemed to have interest in our table, which was quite the 180 from the previous two servers. At the end of our meal the gum chewing server came to drop off the bill and automatically charged us a gratuity because we were a party of 8. One of which was a two year old who only ate rice. I will go back because I think my husband would enjoy the food. I will be sure to stay clear of the gum server lest I have the desire to enjoy an eyerolling experience and curt conversation.

Cucumber roll appetizer is DELISH! Tempura is meh. Ginger man is good. Philip steak...

On mother's day we called in a phone order at 5, the lady on the phone seemed a bit rushed but took our order and told us it would be ready in 30 minutes. I arrived 30 minutes later to find the line out the door and after squeezing my way inside I found the lady server running around trying to handle all of the tables and a male server who could care less. He came over and told the family in front of me despite there only being 3 other names on the wait list it would be 1-2 hour wait for a table. That family proceeded to look for another establishment, several others followed suit. Looking around the restaurant there was 5-6 tables with stacks of dirty dishes. The male server could have easily bussed them and sat the waiting customers. After awhile I was finally able to flag him down and let him know I had a phone order. He looked it up in the system, I paid and he said it would be an additional 20-30 minute wait as the kitchen was slammed (it really wasn't) I told him my GF who called it in was told 30 minutes and he tried to gaslight me saying my GF didn't listen and it was actually an hour she was told. I really hope the management sees this and takes action as today they lost at least 3 families who would have eaten there if the staff had...