Aikawa | 55 Brunswick Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec
| 514.684.4333 | www.aikawa.ca
We started going to Sho-Dan, Aikawa's predecessor, over a decade ago - back when it was still considered a new restaurant (as opposed to today, when it is consistently ranked as one of Montreal’s best and is home to one of the city’s top executive lunch crowds). From day one we were blown away, not only by the food - which was innovative and unique, long before everyone started serving up creative sushi with yummy sauces - but also by the gracious service staff (still led by uber-manager Romeo - one of the city’s best hosts). We only made it in once or twice a year, notably on our anniversary, and every time we walked through the door we were treated like regulars who spent hundreds of dollars there weekly - they just know how to treat their customers well, and go out of their way to make every meal perfect.
When we moved to the West Island in search of affordable real estate, we frequently travelled back “into town” for Sho-dan takeout because we needed our fix. When Aikawa opened just off Sources, we thought we had died and gone to heaven. To be honest, it isn’t a true replacement - more like a less polished younger sibling, because the service generally feels sloppy compared to Romeo’s military-worthy precision and the sushi, while fresh and delcious, doesn't have the same clean flavours which Sho-Dan consistently offers up. BUT, Aikawa is a very fair substitution when we can’t fathom battling Montreal’s construction nightmare in search of raw fish, and it is one of the West Island’s best meals, hands down.
Try: any of the sashimi – the quality of their fish is excellent; the specials (our favorites: Lips, Aikawa Tuna, Tuna Flower, Secret Garden).
Notes: my favorite sushi in West-end Montreal; sister restaurant to downtown's Sho-Dan; casual chic; great for a family meal if your kids are well behaved. This is not cheap grub, and if you have an appetite a meal will set you back at least $100 for two, before drinks, BUT it’s worth the money and your meal always includes the crisp house salad and traditional miso soup. For the best meal experience, sit at the bar.
