tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post4923324716308501836..comments2024-03-09T00:56:57.993-08:00Comments on Sherman's Food Adventures: Tojo'sSherman Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07658949865479421864noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-74701522266809380272016-05-06T10:57:32.671-07:002016-05-06T10:57:32.671-07:00Ya my Japanese Friend also tells me too, a lot of ...Ya my Japanese Friend also tells me too, a lot of Japanese do not like him. Also have anyone noticed lately on Vancouver tourism website and on their profile on Zomoto? He or someone is putting in claim that he is the FIRST sushi chef in Canada. The balls of this guy. As for his claim that he invented California roll, it is very hard to believe. First he claim he invented putting the rice on the outside, fine, but that does not make it a California roll. Now he claims that he name it California roll base on visiters from the US. Seriously why did he not name it the Washington roll? I would think there is more visitor from Washington State then from California. It is more pausiable that some guy from California invented the roll using locally grown Avocados. Canadian press should do a little research and question this instead of just blindly printing that he invented the California roll.<br /><br />I dined here before, it was ok. His $20 tempera was just tempura, nothing special.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11169661983017576967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-34874888343409749102010-07-29T10:22:59.714-07:002010-07-29T10:22:59.714-07:00Well, if you read between the lines on this post, ...Well, if you read between the lines on this post, you'll see that I agree with most of you. In terms of "was it worth it?". When you look at what we got, of course not. I'm sure I can get something remotely close at a fraction of the cost somewhere else. But once, again, now that I've been, I can make comparisons.Sherman Chanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07658949865479421864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-79802737991682096612010-07-28T21:06:05.752-07:002010-07-28T21:06:05.752-07:00i was hoping you would cover this place at some po...i was hoping you would cover this place at some point. too rich for my blood but an interesting concept. it looks tasty but $500 tasty? hmm. i'm always curious at how this place can stay open. i mean... there can't be that many people who can afford to eat here, can there?trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09176469834353667484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-79892099806595490622010-07-28T19:45:50.997-07:002010-07-28T19:45:50.997-07:00Okay, so $180-$200 for the food per person, let...Okay, so $180-$200 for the food per person, let's say. It's just I've seen $180-$200 omakase dinners before, and in general, they seem to have "oomph" than what you were served at Tojo's from the pictures and your description. None of the dishes seem particularly creative, brilliant, or innovative. (Hey, maybe it's you! Your writing! Your pictures! LOL -- just kidding.) <br /><br />Admittedly, not in Vancouver though, so maybe Tojo is the only game in town -- hence he can charge whatever he wants. Maybe I expected more from him.eatingclubvancouver_jshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08712647042996857848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-51868661396591541752010-07-28T11:48:51.873-07:002010-07-28T11:48:51.873-07:00I was at Tojo's last week and was severely dis...I was at Tojo's last week and was severely disappointed. We were on the a la carte menu and I thought that the fish was really good quality, but the grade was not top notch. Also, the menu is really small. I'd rather eat at Ajisai and eat some really fresh and good quality fish.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-21876712954182281452010-07-27T16:54:57.455-07:002010-07-27T16:54:57.455-07:00I've haven't yet dined at Tojo's for t...I've haven't yet dined at Tojo's for the same reason, just couldn't justify spending crazy amount of money. I did however get to try some sushi made by Tojo at a sustainable seafood event last year, including that delicious golden roll. Maybe I can scrounge up enough money to do the ala carte menu on my next visit!Phyllishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11964849431612656642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-3819762692154329522010-07-27T16:36:30.336-07:002010-07-27T16:36:30.336-07:00Too funny. Now we're comparing the culinary s...Too funny. Now we're comparing the culinary scenes of New York vs. Vancouver and chefs who have different styles and influences. It's important to remember that each chef is an artist in their own right and just because an artist's 'portfolio' isn't 'showcased' in NY, it doesn't mean their work is 'inferior' than one who is.<br /><br />KimHo, I think you hit it right on the spot when you suggest we should find the 'best' sushi in Vancouver that won't cost an arm or a leg. I think thatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-1951787415191477342010-07-27T10:31:41.596-07:002010-07-27T10:31:41.596-07:00Good to know Lindsay! I'll be sure to check i...Good to know Lindsay! I'll be sure to check it out next time I'm in NYC. Sadly, the last time I went, I was doing the deli thing... LOL...Sherman Chanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07658949865479421864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-70899874305078169892010-07-27T10:26:44.579-07:002010-07-27T10:26:44.579-07:00Morimoto's restaurant in NYC is much better th...Morimoto's restaurant in NYC is much better than Tojo's and cheaper (considering what you get for your money). How hard is it to get fresh seafood if your restaurant is not small operation and "mom&pop"? To charge $500 solely based it's fresh, that's lame. They need more than it's fresh to charge that kind of price. MOrimoto's and Nobu definitely are more upscale with much better decor and ambiance than Tojo's. You also get better service in Morimoto's and Nobu. At Tojo's, waiters don't even speak English well, it's hard to communicate.<br /><br />I went to Nobu in NYC. It's outstanding. Of course, it's fresh. The dishes I got in Nobu look better than Tojo's skimpy dishes. Not to mention Nobu uses more and better ingredients. There is a reason why Tojo is stuck in Vancouver. If he was any good, some investor would hire him and give him a fancy restaurant to run in NYC.<br /><br />Nobu is also cheaper than Tojo's considering what you get for your money. You get more honest and solid food in Nobu.Lindsaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-88215190977755520782010-07-27T09:58:41.611-07:002010-07-27T09:58:41.611-07:00Kim, for clarification, the $500 included food, sa...Kim, for clarification, the $500 included food, sake, tips and tax. Not sure if that makes a difference because it is still $500! But you are right, it is not really worth it in the normal sense of things. It is definitely a place you go to indulge and really don't care about what you spend.<br /><br />Doug, you are right, the fish was out of this world fresh compared to everywhere else. For those who complain about the food at Tojo's, I would like to differ. It may not meet the expectations when we relate it to the price. However, the bottom line is the food is indeed good and fresh as can be. Is it worth the high price tag? Probably not for the general public. For those who have that money to burn, of course. What we can say is the food is good, and the prices are a reflection of the operating costs and the fact it is "Tojo's". We'd spend way more money eating at Morimoto's restaurant in NYC.<br /><br />Chris, I'm pretty sure this will be the most expensive meal I'll ever have.<br /><br />egirlwonder, the service we got was not like yours. Possibly because we were sitting at the bar? Once again, great food. Just expensive.<br /><br />JS, as mentioned to Kim, the $500 includes everything. But then again, it is still expensive. For that price, I can do the Lumiere tasting menu for less. But then again, each to their own.<br /><br />Trust me, I experienced his arrogance first hand... But then again, he has kinda earned it. Yet, doesn't mean someone should act that way either...Sherman Chanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07658949865479421864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-53005933342811648152010-07-26T12:19:51.039-07:002010-07-26T12:19:51.039-07:00my japanese friend told me her parents and a big p...my japanese friend told me her parents and a big part of the japanese community don't like Tojo because of his arrogance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-14876264381194179132010-07-26T11:56:16.643-07:002010-07-26T11:56:16.643-07:00From the pictures and the descriptions, it didn...From the pictures and the descriptions, it didn't seem like the food was worth $250 per person. The ingredients, high quality they may be, seemed common enough. I guess having Tojo himself serve you counts for $100 per person -- I would have no problem paying $150 per person for the food you got (and that is generous), but $250 seems a bit much.eatingclubvancouver_jshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08712647042996857848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-35503350947246170722010-07-26T08:34:52.437-07:002010-07-26T08:34:52.437-07:00That was definitely in line with what my experienc...That was definitely in line with what my experience was about 6 months ago. Pretty incredible quality seafood, with generally well managed restraint re: letting the seafood shine.<br /><br />I was curious to see if you would have had the same slightly over-the-top service experience we got; we weren't sitting at the bar like you did, but rather at a booth. I found the "kawaii" tone of the waitress and the constantly-bowing waiter kind of ridiculous (mind you I was the only half-asian at a table of very non-asian people). Dare I say it almost cheapened the experience...?egirlwonderhttp://www.parkerpages.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-20831474561264614512010-07-26T05:58:10.190-07:002010-07-26T05:58:10.190-07:00Wow! Thanks for the journey Sherman. What a treat....Wow! Thanks for the journey Sherman. What a treat.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06079593868111830799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-34215214445499152472010-07-26T02:13:36.839-07:002010-07-26T02:13:36.839-07:00HOLY POPSICLES!!! I've heard of Tojo being exp...HOLY POPSICLES!!! I've heard of Tojo being expensive but I did not imagine to be out of this world expensive... <br /><br />The reason why the quality is top notch is because Tojo has nothing frozen. They buy the live fish the same day and butcher it, then keep the fish frozen. Thus, is a top notch piece of expensive fish you'll ever taste.<br /><br /> The concept is the same with any product, for example, if you butcher a live chicken or cow it would taste amazing because the product did not start rotting.<br /><br />The secret in great tasting food is the freshness and exotic ingredients. The only problem with many restaurants because they can't afford the live products and end up buying cheap frozen things...Dougnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524766856706642380.post-59961483866142215232010-07-26T00:15:04.449-07:002010-07-26T00:15:04.449-07:00OK, that explains some things... So, how can we ge...OK, that explains some things... So, how can we get Pomegranate pay another such meal like this? :)<br /><br />At this rate, I do not think I will be going to Tojo's anytime soon. Now, it does not mean I am not up to try something "good" or me being cheap; rather, there is a limit of how much I am willing to spend for what is received in exchange. To put it (not so) simply: law of diminishing returns. One of these day... One of these days...<br /><br />But, back to your meal, similar to what you put, if not even half of the dishes served were extraordinary based on the $$$ paid, I think there is something "missing". So, the quest now is to find the "best" sushi in Vancouver that won't cost you an arm and a leg... Or, if necessary, drive down to Seattle for places like Shiro's? :)KimHohttp://imonlyhereforthefood.com/noreply@blogger.com