One of the best sushi places in Calgary!. Ambiance/Atmosphere: 9/10
This is an understated, quaint family run business that features an intimate, cozy setting. The restaurant is small with only a few tables but offers that comfortable, family-style dining feel and is a great place to relax and enjoy a meal with your company.
I've been going to this place consistently since September and have gotten to know the owner/chef, Mike, quite well. I can appreciate the effort he puts into this restaurant and the attention to detail he gives to each of his dishes.
Food (quality, portions, presentation): 10/10
By far, the best sushi in Calgary, hands down. What sets El's apart from other Japanese restaurants in the city is that the menu features 70 different maki sushi rolls. Each roll is creative and unique and the presentation is very nice.
I usually order the Oasis roll, which is crab meat, asparagus, and tamago (Japanese sweet omelette) wrapped with a cucumber slice. For $12, this roll is one of my favourites: it is refreshing and light (the cucumber gives it that refreshing kick compared to typical sushi) and there is no filler (NO rice in the roll whatsoever; 100% fresh meat and ingredients). Other honourable mentions include:
• Kamikaze - spicy tuna, prawn tempura, asparagus ($13)
• Blue Dragon - unagi with avocado ($13)
• W-Spicy - spicy tuna and spicy salmon ($10)
• Las Vegas - deep fried cream cheese, prawn tempura, crab meat, asparagus ($16)
• Superstar - deep fried spider roll (soft shell crab, avocado, tobiko, cucumber) with scallop on top ($19)
• Rock 'n Roll - crab meat and avocado with fresh water eel on top ($13)
• El's - deep fried scallop, sweet prawn, crab meat ($15)
In addition to the rolls, the rest of the menu selection is awesome. They have all the typical dishes you would expect to find at a Japanese restaurant: agedashi tofu ($6), edamame (soybeans) ($5), gyoza (Japanese dumplings) ($8-10), takoyaki (deep fried octopus balls) ($8), Japanese-style salads ($8-16), tempura ($7-25), sashimi ($13-30), and udon and soba noodles ($7-19). Another personal favourite is the green tea tempura ice cream ($7). It's made with a cereal/bread crumb tempura-style shell, which I think is better than Towa's, as the outer shell is crispy and crunchier.
I have tried most of the items on the menu and have never been disappointed with anything. The portions are a great bang for your buck. There is very little filler in the rolls (generous ratio of fish to rice), the ingredients are fresh and the dishes are made to order.
Service: 8.5/10
The service was warm, friendly, polite, prompt, and accurate. The servers were prompt at bringing the food out. The rolls were explained/announced when they are placed in front of you. The plates were cleared away quickly when done. Questions were cheerfully answered and splitting the bill was easy.
We were checked on regularly. I gave service a 8.5 because when the restaurant gets busy, the servers are quite busy and do not check on you as regularly to refill your tea, get you the bill, etc.
Pricing: 10/10
The pricing is cheaper than most Japanese restaurants in Calgary and when you factor in the portion sizes, it is a bang for your buck. I'd say a typical meal at El's will run you $20 - $25 per person and you leave with a satisfied full stomach.
Overall: 9/10
Highly recommended. I've brought a lot of my friends and family here and everyone loves this place. El's Japanese Fusion is out of those hidden gems, hole-in-the-wall, family run restaurants that's awesome! The large selection of unique rolls combined with the quality of the food will keep you coming back.
Definitely give this restaurant a try. You won't regret it. El's also does takeout, which is a good option given the small number of seats in the restaurant.
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