Service was prompt and very personable, menu offerings were very well portioned, my Hawaiian Poke bowl was the perfect amount with fresh ingredients and the right touch of heat, and there were plenty of gluten-free offerings for my wife. Our main server and man who brought out our dessert were very friendly. Would 100% come back on a sunny day to sit in the outside patio. Toro is a great place for either a family dinner or a romantic date read more

Toro is an absolute gem in Carmel. The moment you walk in, you're met with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a stylish, modern vibe that immediately sets the tone for a great meal. It's intimate without feeling crowded and has that perfect Carmel charm. The food is outstanding--fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Whether you're ordering sushi, small plates, or one of their signature dishes, everything feels thoughtfully prepared and balanced. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients, and the menu offers just the right mix of creativity and comfort. The service is another highlight. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive in all the right ways. They're happy to offer recommendations and make you feel genuinely taken care of throughout your meal. Overall, Toro delivers a memorable dining experience from start to finish. It's the perfect spot for a relaxed dinner, a date night, or a special evening out. Highly recommended if you're in Carmel and want something delicious and elevated without being pretentious. read more

Toro - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

first time here. nice place and service is ok. for foods: * sake braised beef short rib: taste is mediocre for me. the mashed potatoes is great but need to put a bit more of the beef sauce. the steamed broccolini and asparagus are ok * hamachi kama: mediocre, without the sauce on the side, the taste will be plain. suggest to put a bit salt and pepper on top for a bit flavor * wagyu shishito peppers: thought that will get small slice of wagyu inside but it turned out ground beef. expect to get five of them, like written on the menu, instead of just four. suggest to give a bit salt for flavor instead of just togarashi overall, will say it is just ok. i will say this restaurant is more of japanese fusion instead of authentic. overall, a bit pricey but may be because in tourist area. three stars at this moment... read more

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Came here for dinner and ordered the $125 moriawase, which was described as featuring "premium fish."(with belly and toro) Unfortunately, the fish quality did not match that description. Most of the selections were fairly standard, and the only item that truly stood out was the beef. We weren't really full afterwards, so we ordered a Philly roll ($15), which is typically a $8-10 item elsewhere. Some of the rice was actually hard, which is something I've never experienced at a sushi restaurant before and is unacceptable at this price point. It's clear you're paying mostly for location and atmosphere. The bayfront setting is nice, and many diners seem willing to eat outside even in drizzle, but if you're looking for sushi quality that matches the pricing, this place is very overpriced and overrated. Might be fine for vibes, but not for serious sushi. read more

Toro - Ladies and gentlemen, introducing $15 Philly roll, featuring hard grains of rice and poorly packed... And a long wait - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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Service was great. Our server Kristen was very friendly and accommodating to our dog. Food quality was missing. The rolls were decent but came in small portions. Geisha- cucumber was refreshing Carmel-too much sauce, didn't get to taste the spicy tuna My partner who loves sushi ordered a poke bowl and that was one of the worst bowls ever she had. The fish wasn't fresh at all, it tasted like it came from a freezer and thawed. The rice was cooked well and the bowl ended up looking mushy. We don't mind paying for high quality sushi but this wasn't it. The price is above average but failed to deliver. read more

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Fun hole in the wall spot to find great sushi!!!! Staff were very friendly giving great recommendations. Love the space and will come back and sit outside next time. read more

The sushi was amazing and fresh. We had the Chefs Special and it did not disappoint. We also had the specialty roll Beef and reef, it was sooooo gooood!!! read more

Toro - Beef and Beef specialty roll and Chefs special - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

I've been to this spot a few times and it's quite a hit! Great selection of delicious Japanese food and often with a modern twist. The sashimi is my favorite and is extremely tasty. The tempura had a good vegetable variety and I enjoyed the dipping sauce it came with. The crispy rice with salmon was a lot more intricate than I was expecting and took the enjoyment out of it for me unfortunately. The servers are great - knowledgeable, friendly, and so attentive! There's indoor seating or a nice upstairs outdoor patio for larger groups. Will be back next time I'm in the area :) read more

Toro - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

The place was cute and service was good. The food itself was subpar. 8 piece Nigiri combo was bland and some of the fish was dry. Definitely did not taste fresh or high quality. Tasted like grocery store pre made sushi at best. I was quite surprised given that the place had an overall 4 star Yelp rating. read more

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Great patio, great service, great food! Checked all the boxes. Heaters on the patio felt great, even on an otherwise cool day read more

Toro - Miso soup - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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Cute sushi place in the heart of Carmel By The Sea. We stored by since my husband was craving sushi- good choice for us because the sushi was fresh and delicious. I can't remember the names of the sushi that we had- probably had too much sale at that time,lol but overall, good food and service. Not too pretentious or over the top. I would eat here again read more

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Wow that was bad. We couldn't even finish our food. We ordered Toro and it was grey! GREY! We never got our miso soup. Our red snapper nigiri was oily and fishy. We eat sushi on a regular basis and was utterly disappointed especially with such high reviews on both google and yelp. I do not recommend. Service was fine it wasn't the service at all this review is solely on the food. read more

First time visiting here and decided to try it for our 16th wedding anniversary. Carmel was where I wanted to "locally" go (it was about an hour drive). I was craving for sushi and unfortunately against all the good sounding reviews, this place did not fulfill my itch. Appetizer: 1. shishito peppers and calamari (The dipping sauce didn't hit. It was a little muted. Decent but nothing memorable. ) 2. Hampshire Carpaccio (The presentation did not allow for each piece of Hamachi to stand alone and perform. I didn't like the rose petal layout.) Drinks: Shi: this had egg white and blackberry among a few other ingredients. (They had me at egg white. ) It was a pretty drink. Meal: Nigiri Sushi - standard. Nothing exciting. Our server was attentive and sweet. We had a good day in Carmel *my first time visiting*. (I did appreciate they had outside seating and allowed pets. ) read more

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I came here for lunch with friends, and we decided to sit outside since the server told us it would be an hour wait for indoor seating. That was totally fine with us because the weather was nice. Unfortunately, the service really missed the mark. It took a while for our server to greet us and bring water, and when we finally got it, one of the glasses had a piece of hair in it. We couldn't even let her know right away because she didn't come back to check on us, we had to flag down a different server to get a clean glass. Then, when our food finally came out, one of the dishes, the Sake Braised Short Ribs was missing the mashed potatoes, which it normally comes with. The server casually mentioned there weren't any mashed potatoes after bringing the plate out, instead of giving us a heads-up so we could choose something else. My boyfriend was especially disappointed since he was really looking forward to them. Overall, our server seemed uninterested and like she didn't want to be there at all. The service was honestly pretty bad, and it really affected our experience. I don't think I'll be coming back. read more

Toro - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

Visited Toro in Carmel with a group of friends during our weekend getaway--and even though I'm not typically a seafood fan, this spot totally won me over! I stuck to their non-seafood dishes, and wow--every bite was full of flavor and beautifully presented. Seriously impressive. I couldn't resist trying a tiny piece of their fried salmon roll ( not sure what it had but it had spicy mayo and tempura inside) after hearing all the buzz--one bite, and I was convinced. The salmon was high-grade, fresh, and perfectly cooked. I never thought I'd say this, but I might officially be a sushi lover now! The ambiance was warm and inviting, and the service was friendly and attentive--without being over the top. I left full, happy, and already planning my return visit. Would definitely recommend - whether you're a seafood skeptic like me or a sushi aficionado, you'll leave satisfied. I know I'll be back next time I'm in town! They have teriyaki chicken bowl options too! I def will try next time!! read more

Toro - Avocado roll, tofu skin, veggies hand roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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Toro was "omg." Uni was "woaaaaah." Every single bite at this gem was "supercalifragil..." well, you get it. In 2 words - Simply AMAZING! Felt as if we were eating at a Michelin recognized restaurant, like a Bib Gourmand! Parking is typically at Carmel downtown - find whatever spot nearby is available and walk from there. This restaurant was surprisingly right next to Carmel's Secret Garden that we couldn't find! How lucky is that?! Hidden gem for sure. Ample seating both inside and outside with heaters to keep you warm (gets cold and windy at Carmel by the Sea, as I'm sure you're aware), excellent service and friendly staff, ambience perfect for all occasions, and savory bites from start to finish! We had the Sashimi Moriawase, Toro nigiri, Uni nigiri, and Hawaiian Pokémon Bowl with salmon (for our 2 girls - well more than enough to split between a 3 and 4 or old). Toro and Uni? Prestige quality and Bib Gourmand worthy! My wife and I split the Sashimi Moriawase - was such a delicacy of top quality fish variety that we were practically in sushi heaven! It comes with 2 bowls of sushi rice and 2 miso soups so don't fret about that. Highly recommended to stop by this gem and will absolutely be a pit stop every time we visit Carmel by the Sea! read more

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Sushi was delicious and tasted very fresh! A nice spot tucked slightly off of Ocean Avenue with very friendly staff. We happened to dine during happy hour, and we really enjoyed the smaller bites as our appetizers. Looking forward to our next visit here the next time we are craving some sushi. read more

Get your reservation!!!! They get extremely busy even if it doesn't feel like it. We had a reservation and still had to wait outside for 20 mins, when there were open seats throughout so most likely was a staffing but we still came during the lunch rush, so it is what it is. I don't think service was amazing, again maybe because there is understaffing. They were polite and friendly, but we didn't have sauce plates and thought maybe they don't have them here. So we went through a whole meal with our soy sauce all over our plates which is fine, but when another couple sat down next to us, before they even ordered someone noticed and gave them the sauce bowls. Rolls were great, but definitely feel like you can get the same quality elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. Also got the edemamme and agedashi tofu (definitely get some appetizers). read more

Toro - Spider Roll, SEARED SALMON ROLL, spicy tuna roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

My brothers and i came here after going to the aquarium, its a little messed up but tasted so good. The dynamite roll had a lot of sauce and blended into the spicy tuna the greasiness tasted so good to me. I didnt eat the hamachi but my siblings thought it tasted ok. The salmon seared roll is my favorite, it has a really strong balance and it was so good. read more

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Great service, champagne was good, but sushi rice was mushy. Found crunchy unnatural bits in my maki. Rolls overall looked really sloppy. That was a real turn off. They took it off the bill but that ruined my appetite. read more

I found this spot while searching for restaurants in Carmel, and I'm so glad I stopped by! The sushi was fresh and delicious. I shared the Tuna Roll, Spider Roll, and Shortts Crunch Roll, and my favorite was definitely the Spider Roll! The restaurant has two indoor dining areas plus a patio. The vibe is chill and casual with staff that were super friendly. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area! read more

Toro - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

Hands down worst sushi I've ever had. Being first generation Japanese I'm used to good sushi and I took that into consideration. This place came highly recommended so I went and was very excited. I've never seen Toro grey, the Bacon of the sea, this is supposed to be the crème de la crème. It was anything but that. Snapper was definitely not fresh and was frozen as well. I expected coming here being in camel it would be fresh. It was definitely not. The toro ( bacon of the tuna ) which I order this regularly at sushi restaurants. It was grey, literally grey. I rolled 70% of our food in a napkin. I'm a chef from Michelin restaurants and typically, I really try hard not to complain. This was so bad which In my opinion is an understatement. People really really need to stop recommending this place and get a sushi restaurant that actually has actual experience. Everything was definitely frozen and not fresh caught. Eat here at your own discretion. read more

We made a reservation and were seated right away when we arrived. Our waiter was very nice and asked the chef questions when we had them regarding ingredients in certain options. The good was delicious. We had so many nigiri, we also had the tempura veggies and chicken katsu. Unfortunately they ran out of scallops during our visit. Great drink selection. The space was small and cozy. Beware of flies, they keep the doors open so it's inevitable unfortunately. read more

Toro - Tempura - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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Tried this spot out because I was in town and boy does it get busy during dinner time. Overall the service is nice and hospitable. I sat by the bar and was greeted many times just by them passing by (I do think they need a hook to put our bags). It's also quite big as they have a second building in the courtyard. For the food, I had the Uni shooter (5/5) - Slightly salty but definitely would get again! Everything was strong and flavorful but not too much alcohol Spicy tuna crispy rice (3/5) - This was a little disappointing. It wasn't bad but really wasn't anything to commend Sushi sampler with tuna rolls (5/5) - Great fun selection and it's a lot more filling than you would think! read more

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The sushi was absolutely amazing. Each roll had its own distinct flavor profile, making every bite exciting and unique. Everything tasted incredibly fresh -- I'll definitely be back! read more

Super fresh and delicious. Tried this place as part of a food and wine tour. Was not disappointed. The tastings were fresh and amazing and the same was fantastic! Definitely worth a try! read more

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The food was exceptional and we had the luxury of sitting inside on such a brisk evening. Our server was so sweet and attentive. We ordered a few appetizers, sushi and a dessert. I would love to see more dessert items as we were not a fan of the matcha ice cream. Our only complaint was the bathroom. Incredibly cramped in the back and pretty filthy. Other than than a fantastic experience, read more

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We love Toro! Whenever we are in Carmel we have to stop! Our dog loves his sushi too! They have doggie bowls with chicken and rice or salmon and rice. This time we got him some salmon and hamachi nigiri (no wasabi of course) and think he loved that even more! Our favorite is the poke bowls. I had mine with hamachi and tuna today. My husband had the salmon and hamachi. Both we did spicy. Delicious! We also started with the tempura to share. Very generous portion. We love the outside patio with our dog! The service is great even when busy. Highly recommend a reservation as when we first started coming we would walk in and have to wait. But with reservations we can now just sit down! Thanks Toro! read more

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We've been here several times and have consistently enjoyed the food. The service can be hit or miss, but last night it was a hit--likely because we were seated inside and more visible to our server. One of the reasons we keep coming back is that it's a dog-friendly spot, although we didn't bring our pup this time. If there's one area for improvement, it would be the bathroom. It has been consistently messy, and last night there was no hand soap and it was noticeably dirty. read more

I decided to dine here for dinner, and the food was great. The waitress was very friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere and location of my table was very clean and cozy. read more

Definitely an interesting experience.... Came here with two of my friends on a cold rainy night, we wanted some yummy Japanese food. When we walked in to be sat down we were asked by the people behind the counter if we have a reservation. The restaurant was not full and the bar was completely empty but when we stated we did not have a reservation we were told we needed to sit in their second building. It took forever to put in orders and get food because we were casted to the back rooms. Only one other family was sat there with us the entire night too. We ordered the hojicha, the tempura, rice, chirashi sushi and the crispy tuna. The tempura was solid and I would give it a 9/10 especially because they were able to accommodate no shrimp. The chirashi sushi sashimi was not special and the cuts were uneven. The said previous family had ordered some sashimi as well and the father had brought up to the waitress that the meat was super thin and there was barely anything on the plate. She then had to take the plate back to the cooks to have it fixed which I never saw it come back... When we finished eating we passed by the front and surprise! There was only two people eating. Crazy that we were told to sit in the back to not be seen by anyone...at least from what it seems. There really is no other reasoning with an empty house. read more

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Toro is by far one of my new favorite spots in Carmel. This is some of the best sushi I have had + their ramen is incredible. Not to mention, they also offer a dog menu (such a cute touch, especially perfect for Carmel being so dog friendly everywhere - they go above and beyond). Our server was fabulous - super accommodating, friendly and made the experience even more enjoyable! 10/10 love this spot, will be coming back when in Carmel and have already recommended it to a handful of folks. read more

Toro - Ramen is AMAZING here and the hand rolls... wow. Our server was fantastic and had the kitchen custom make one! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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great sushi spot in carmel! super cute interior and pretty good sushi! seating and reservations were easy to make and the staff were very accommodating ! the place is bigger than meets the eye, and has a cute indoor seating area behind the main dining area. rolls were pretty standard, nothing particularly unique, but the fish was fresh and tasted good! hamachi was particularly melty and delicious! dessert was a bit disappointing - the selection was a bit sparse and the matcha crème brûlée didn't have enough flavor or a smooth enough texture. overall, prices were reasonable, food was standard, people were lovely! no major complaints! read more

Toro - Negihama, Shortt's Crunch, RAINBOW ROLL, SEARED CARMEL ROLL - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

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I love this place. The spice tuna crispy rice was the best Ive ever had. They use real crab! The carmel roll was delicious. The maguro nigiri was so so good. The staff was super helpful. The ambiance of this place is pretty unbeatable, very cozy and welcoming. The happy hour prices are also crazy. The fact that they have a doggie menu is absolutely adorable. I need to bring my pup next time we are in the area. Cant wait to come back here next time we are in the area. read more

Toro - Spicy tuna crispy rice - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California

Toro Sushi - Carmel's Hidden Gem for Sushi Lovers Tucked into the charming streets of Carmel, Toro Sushi served us one of the most memorable meals of our trip. We started with Garlic Edamame--steamed perfectly and tossed in a savory garlic glaze that set the tone. Next was the crispy Tempura that was light and delicate, not greasy at all. The star of the evening was the Seared Sesame Ahi Tuna Cobb Salad--a brilliant fusion of freshness and flavor, with buttery tuna layered over greens, avocado, and a sesame dressing we'd bottle if we could. For sushi, we went all in: The California Roll was fresh and classic. The Rainbow Roll was vibrant, each piece topped with melt-in-your-mouth fish. Shortt's Crunch Roll added just the right texture and kick. The Main Squeeze Roll was a surprise favorite--zesty, slightly sweet, and addictive. The staff was warm and attentive without being overbearing. Everything was spotless, from the counters to the restrooms, and the ambiance was both relaxed and refined. You could tell every plate was prepared with care. Toro Sushi isn't just a meal--it's a culinary experience. Five stars, easily. We'll be back. read more

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Came here for dinner for our last night in Carmel and it hit the spot. We had a large, rich lunch so wanted something light and fairly healthy for dinner. Ordered the Hawaiian Poke bowl which allows you to pick your fish out of tuna, salmon, yellow tail and octopus. The portion is GENEROUS! However beware if you are allergic or do not like onions as there is ample raw chopped white onion with the fish mix. It also comes with seaweed salad, cucumber salad and a half fresh sliced avocado. All fresh, well seasoned and delicious. it is served over a bed of rice. Also ordered the salmon tartar over crispy rice. This is really good as well. Comes out piping hot so slow down before taking the first bite of the crispy, crunchy rice. The salmon tartar is refreshing. Ordered the edamame which is nicely salted and a great way to start the meal. Ordered the hamachi (yellowtail) nigiri - generous slices and very yummy! Lastly ordered the Maine Squeeze roll which is generous with the lobster tempura, spicy tuna (it does pack a punch) and other complementary toppings. It does get crowded fast and its probably best to make reservations even on a Tuesday evening! read more

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Date of Visit: 9/22/2024 We visited the Toro Sushi in Carmel-by-the-Sea last Sunday after our camping trip in Ventana Campground in Big Sur. We stopped by Carmel for dinner before going to the Refuge Spa. Toro Sushi was a cozy tiny restaurant with indoor fireplace seatings and outdoor patio seatings. We chose to sit inside, and sat next to the fireplace. Blackberry Therapy $14 I got the cocktail that was made with sparkling sake and blackberry and lime juice. It was sweet and sour and very refreshing. Hitachino Seasonal Draft Beer $10 Husband got the yuzu draft beer and it was a good pair with sushi and nigiri too. Miso Soup $3 We ordered the miso soup to start. Agedashi Tofu $14 And got the deep fried tofu for appetizer. Shortt's Crunch $19 This one is a specialty creation from the chef. Thi one is made with hamachi and green onion salad, avocado, and cucumber, and is topped with salmon, crispy salmon skin and Unagi sauce. The taste was much better than the appearance. Nigiri Sushi Combination Plate $30 Husband got the 7 pcs chef's choice Nigiri and Tekka Maki plate. This one was a big portion but the chef's choices were all regular ones such as salmon, shrimp, regular tuna, etc. read more

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Solid Japanese spot. We liked the appetizers better than the sashimi/ Nigiri. Must Get: Seaweed salad. Just the right balance of flavors Phenomenal wine and sake list for such a small place. SOLID: Hamachi Kama: tender and huge portion. A bit undercooked/rose near the bones Hamachi carpaccio: the dish is not mixed for you like in other places (more a medley of hamachi sashimi , seaweed salad, caviar etc) but the hamachi sashimi is very fresh Agadadhi tofu: not the traditional preparation. Small cubed fried tofu with sweet and salty sauce underneath. Good to eat this fast before it soaks all the sauce and gets too salty SKIP: Sashimi/Nigiri: wasn't the freshest fish that we tasted. We got tai, scallop. Especially the albacore fresh catch of the day slightly seared. It tastes fishy. Green tea ice cream - ok but not homemade. ---- We ordered the food and all of the dishes came within 10 minutes vs being coursed out. So be explicit about asking them about coursing out the dishes so you can have them fresh. read more

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I came with my husband and son and daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons. I'm the only one who does not like raw fish - to my delight there are many DELICIOUS menu items that I was able to enjoy! Our party enjoyed all the standard and specialty sushi items: Garlic Edamame, Seared Sesame Ahi Tuna Cobb Salad, California Roll, Rainbow Roll, Tuna Sashimi, Shortt's Crunch Roll, and the star of the show them was The Main Squeeze Roll. Gyoza, Shrimp Tempura, and Chicken Katzu mmmmmmm!!! The waitress was very helpful with me to point out the items i would enjoy. Everything was clean and fresh and delicious. Five stars, easily. I won't be afraid the next time they get a hankering for sushi - we'll be back! read more

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We spent the day in Carmel, and we decided on going to Toro for dinner after a stroll at the beach. Luckily, we were able to be seated immediately in a sea of reservations, and we had a cute table outside while it was a bit misty - the scenery was beautiful. The service was great, and everyone was so kind! We ordered the Shortt's Crunch Roll, the Chef's Choice Sashimi, and the Nigiri Sushi Combination Plate. The nigiri was incredible, and you can Really taste the quality of the fish - quality that you can't find in Vegas for the same price. The sashimi was also amazing, the fish was so smooth, and we really savored those cuts. The Shortt's Crunch Roll is something that we will dream about because who thought to make a salmon roll with hamachi with crispy salmon skin crumbles on top? GENIUS. Absolute game changer, and I am devastated that I can't get this delicacy anywhere else. Would LOVE to come back again. read more

Toro - top: Chef's Choice Sashimi bottom: Nigiri Sushi right: Shortt's Crunch - Sushi Bars Near Me - Carmel, California