Sushi Kushi Toyo — Restaurant in Lake Forest

Our second visit to the restaurant after a good impression on a lunch meal a while ago. This time, we had our hopes up and looked forward to a great meal at Sushi Kushi Toyo, stopping there with a guest for dinner.

It was around 6pm and the restaurant was not busy, but the evening did not begin well. The reception in front started out cold and indifferent. The servers were occupied and slow to respond.

after half an hour of wait, we were famished and could care less about the indifferent attitudes, slow service and poor attitudes.

The good news is the presentation of our meals were spectacular! But it went down hill from here...

Japanese cuisine is known for their meticulous efforts on details, but our meals fell short. The salads that came with the sets seemed like a kitchen hand who couldn't care less and did a rough job serving up uneven and super thick carrots, the size you expect a a picnic to go with dips, not something you expect to find in a fine Japanese restaurant.

The straw that broke the camels back for this evening was our cold dishes. 3 out of 4 sets of our meals came out cold.

Upon letting our server know about our cold dishes, we merely got a "I will let the kitchen know" message and no further words until I asked for my check. Then came five little mochi ice creams. Nice little things, but too little too late.

We had high expectations for the evening, paid good money and left extremely disappointed. Seems like an off night for them....

As a long-time Lake Forest resident and sushi enthusiast, Sushi Kushi Toyo has been our family's go-to spot for almost a decade now! From the moment you step through those doors, the warm golden lighting and authentic Japanese ambiance transport you to a cozy corner of Japan. The wooden tables and traditional decor create such an intimate dining experience that my kid now calls it our "special place."

What truly sets this gem apart is the mastery of their Japanese sushi chefs. Founded by Toyoji Kawabata in 1993, their commitment to traditional Japanese cuisine remains unwavering. I've watched my older child grow up trying their first California rolls here, and now they're adventurous enough to explore the chef's special creations!

The consistency in quality over these many years is remarkable. Whether it's a quick Tuesday night dinner or a special celebration, the care and precision in every dish remains the same. Those quiet family dinners in their welcoming dining room have become some of our most cherished memories.

This review was made in connection with a Toast promotion.

Food: 5 (Consistently exceptional) Service: 5 (Warm and attentive) Atmosphere: 5 (Authentically Japanese) Value: 5 (Worth every penny) Tradition: 5 (True to Japanese...

Decided to check this place out since it was recommended by (I guess) an influencer group that my family was checking out. If you're coming in from Waukegan Rd the entrance opens up from the South by the Fannie May.

Walking in feels like being whisked off into a different world by its dim lighting and covered glass followed by a menu without any pictures. If this is your first time eating sushi you won't know what you want, but a combination plate will give you a pretty good representation.

I had the hamachidon, which was 10 pieces of Yellowtail, a tender, light pink slab in a bowl of white rice with ginger and some spicy wasabi with a bowl of salad. Before you look for the pricing on that, I have regrets. It was delicious, but I'm still hungry. The taste of the sushi rice rivals Blufish's Chirashi Don, but I know which restaurant to head to for my fill at similar prices.

Service was quick. We arrived an hour before rush hour for dinner. There's barely any walking space by the entrance, so don't get stuck waiting to enter.

Their free WiFi is inexplicably fast. It doesn't seem necessary but I bet the place could be converted into a...