Birthday Omakase at Sushi Umi

My mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year, and I very firmly and specifically said, "The omakase dinner at Sushi Umi." And thus, I made reservations for the 8:00PM seating tonight, and my mom and I, along with 12 other people, indulged in a very exclusive, very private, eight-course omakase.

Mushu with crab and ikura

Grilled black cod with fried onions

Amberjack sashimi

Scallop sashimi

Maguro sashimi

Ikura

Top: Red snapper
Bottom: Striped jack

Top: Akami toro
Bottom: Chutoro

Top: Otoro
Bottom: Shrimp with caviar

Top: Torched Japanese sea bream
Bottom: Horse mackerel

Top: Torched barracuda
Bottom: Caramelized tamago

Uni sushi

Fish miso soup

Milk tofu custard with brown sugar syrup

Our omakase menu, from start to finish:

1. Mushu with crab sauce
2. Grilled black cod with fried onions
3. Sashimi: Amberjack, scallop, toro, ikura
4. Nigiri sushi: Red snapper, striped jack, akami toro, chutoro, otoro, shrimp with caviar, torched Japanese sea bream, horse mackerel, torched barracuda, and uni
5. Blow-torched, caramelized tamago
6. Chopped toro hand roll
7. Fish miso soup
8. Milk tofu custard with brown sugar syrup

Omakase literally means, "I leave it up to you," so no matter how many you try, it's always a one-of-a-kind experience. The one at Sushi Umi is beautifully executed with incredible quality and variety of fish — even my mother, who is notoriously critical, commented on how excellent the fish was (especially the uni, which she never previously enjoyed and has now changed her mind). Each piece of nigiri is handmade right in front of you — every slice of fish is meticulously cut, each mound of perfectly vinegared rice is carefully molded, wasabi is freshly made and precisely portioned onto each piece of sushi, and soy sauce is delicately brushed on to the fish — with expert, trained hands of a certified sushi chef so you get the most perfect bite of sushi every time. It's really a beautiful process to behold.

Yes, it's definitely a little awkward to be in such a quiet room with 12 strangers with only the softest notes of a piano melody playing in the background — everyone's looking at each other and listening into each other's conversations — but for some of the best sushi I've eaten outside of Japan, I'd say it was still worth every penny.

Sushi Umi

Liberty Square

3621 Highway 7, Unit 104-105

Markham, ON L3R 0G6

(905) 475-1222