Wind Sushi is very good. I go most times I visit my folks up in Keswick. Always been a fan.
The essential info:
- The lunch menu and dinner menu are almost identical. From about 65 items to choose from for lunch, it goes up to about 70 for dinner. Those 5 (or so) extra choices are nothing special. In short: It is NOT worth the large price increase for the extra items on the dinner menu -- you're paying for the time of day, rather than an expanded selection. Going around Noon or 1pm is perfect. Even if you can't due to work/school, still worth it to go lunchtime on the weekend for a minimal $2 more.
- Seating for about 25 overall. It has never been too full, and the service is quick and friendly (they accommodate larger parties, but call ahead if so)
- Many different payment options, and no errors with our bill (although it's hard to mess up "all you can eat") and they have no issue with paying together or separately
- At times they may forget to give you an item, especially if you write a lot of things down. This isn't the end of the world -- just remind them :)
Prices:
I uploaded an updated image of the pricing as of September 2016.
Edit: as of now (Summer 2018), I believe it is $13.99 for weekday lunch, per person. Still affordable.
Now to review some of the food:
- Their miso soup is good, although about the same as you can get most anywhere else
- I like their spring rolls. They are nice and flaky with a good taste and texture
- The general tso's chicken is tasty, juicy, and the sauce has just the right blend of flavour and spice
- I really like the beef and chicken teriyaki -- it has a nice taste and pairs well with some of the other dishes. The portion is super tiny, but you can simply order as many as you want
- All of their tempura is awesome. We've gotten shrimp, eggplant, pumpkin, broccoli, and sweet potato and enjoyed it all. Comes with plenty of tempura sauce
- The chicken pad thai is pretty good. It's not mind blowing, but we like it
- Their "dynamite roll" maki is real nice... it is shrimp tempura + avocado + cucumber + mayo + tobiko, and it's a great mix! We will get it again, maybe getting the "spicy" version of it next time
- As for the "odder" sushi: I totally love the mango roll maki. It comes with some mango and avocado, and this delicious mango glaze on top, almost like a mix of a savoury dish with a dessert. We also tried the mango banana maki this most recent visit. It didn't have that mango glaze on top, but it was really good! A nice mix of mango and banana flavour!
- We usually order several of the "bean curd sushi". It is great. As he described, the tofu itself is really sweet... like a sweet bread basically! I'm a fan
- I really like their "sweet potato hand roll". It's big and full of flavour
- For dessert, I make sure to always get a deep fried banana. It's awesome. The chocolate drizzle is yummy. Their ice cream though is bland
I actually don't eat fish myself (I know, it's therefore odd for me to go to a sushi place) but I do eat crab/shrimp, and I appreciate that the menu has so many options that even a non-fish eater like me has a lot to choose from.
For those who love fish: others with me have gotten various tuna, salmon, and mackerel items and they said most of it was very good, although the mackerel was described as 'too strong'.
Conclusion:
The main reason I don't give it 5 stars is because I think their dinner prices are too inflated for what is effectively the same menu. Another reason is that some of the items aren't anything special (it doesn't taste "gourmet quality", even if its tasty) but I think a 4/5 is a very favourable rating!
Either way, we will keep returning for lunch. One of Keswick's best ethnic restaurants and I hope it sticks around. read more