Ok. So... you're on an island. An island where, as far as I can tell, only boasts two sushi joints.
... and you need sashimi.
Arigato's got it pretty good. With only one other joint on SSI, it's pretty easy to boast the "best sushi" title but don't let that lead your expectations astray. Would Arigato lead the pack on the mainland? No. Straight up. You are not about to walk into award winning sushi love. It was pretty standard sushi - middle of the pack on the mainland sushi - not exceptional but not bad by any standard.
There is no table service here. You order at the counter and they will bring it out to you (or shout it across the restaurant... I think it depends if you're a regular or not). The prices are pretty shockingly high, but again, it's one of two sushi joints on a small island. So they can give'er.
What went down:
Started with Gyoza and I'd highly recommend this dish. It was perfectly cooked and came out piping hot. Definitely tasty.
Assorted Sashimi - tuna, salmon & red snapper - ok... the sashimi curse continues. Dead sushi gods, give me a break & a perfect salmon sashimi would ya? The sashimi wasn't bad but it was frozen. Not rock solid but... popsicle consistency. A lightly melted fish popcicle...
That makes it sound icky, which it wasn't - the fish was actually quite tasty, it just gave us brain freeze...
Salt Spring Roll - prawn, cucumber, unagi, spicy salmon - they threw everything and the kitchen sink on this one and dang it was good. Eat this.
Alaska Roll - I found this one pretty decent but my partner-in-dine thought it tasted a bit "metallic". It's definitely on the lighter side.
All in all. Decent. Pricey but decent.
If you're on SSI - yes... go there for sushi... if you NEED sushi. But Vancouverites be warned - you ARE going to be a snob about it. read more