We were greeted warmly by Aikawa’s director Kim and went on a quick tour of the restaurant before being seated at the sushi bar. The restaurant is simple elegance, designed in browns and creams, many plants, a few hidden nooks and a spacious sushi bar. The Zen feel of Aikawa prepares you for the absolute epicurean experience your about to indulge in. While we perused the menu Kim explained to us that although Aikawa is a recent arrival to the West Island, they are not new to the restaurant industry. Aikawa is one of three very prestigious restaurants, they also own Sho-dan which has been in business for over 7 years with two locations on Blvd. Rene-Levesque and Metcalfe street downtown Montreal.

Their recipe for success seemed simple enough, take a well know sushi chef named Hip Hop, add in the finest training standards in the industry and a proven track record combine together and the result is Aikawa.

Hip Hop, having been the Chef for many years at Sho-dan, brought with him to Aikawa the same high standards that he was well know for in the City. Hip Hop and his colleges through their creativity instill confidence in their patrons to try different types of sushi. Whether you select a house specialty or have them custom design one based on your preferences you’ll be impressed.
.

We agreed that we would sample a variety of sushi dishes and started our adventure with besame mucho. A mixture of salmon and tempura tartar, shrimp and avocado center and wrapped in Soya paper served with a medium spicy sauce. The texture was soft and crunchy at the same time and bursting with flavor.

Next came Heaven with layers commencing with rice lightly fried at the bottom, spicy sauce then tuna and atop was a small roll of smoked salmon with a shiso mint leaf in the middle. Heaven, appropriately named was served warm surrounded by a spicy teriyaki sesame sauce. The combination of flavors released as one and was irresistible.

The Tam Tam was a salmon and tuna tartar with a touch of shiso mint giving it an orange with a tinge of green color and served in a half shell rice cake. Hip Hop suggested that we put a dab of soya sauce on it. Delicious! One of my favorites and highly recommended.

As we eagerly anticipated our next dish Andy our waiter passed by with a sizzling hot plate of teriyaki chicken steaming and fragrant accompanied by lightly grilled vegetables. My dining companion and I couldn’t resist a quick plate to sample, just the right amount of sweetness, my companion was heard to say “Let them eat sushi”.

The Rose Maki was next, a beautiful presentation of shrimp tempura, tuna, asparagus and avocado served in a sweet sauce with a hint of ginger and lemon, without question divine.

In addition to these wonderful sushi selections I highly recommend you try the Jade, Twister, Tuna Flower, The Lover and the Aikawa special.

Dessert was Hip Hop’s Romeo and Juliet a combination of fruit wrapped in soya paper deep fried with green tea ice cream in the center definitely a great choice.

Lunch specials include soup, salad and tea with one main course starting at $11.99. With your choice of teriyaki, tempura, sashimi or combinations dishes. Dinner starts at $15.00 with your choice of a la carte or table d’hote. Aikawa has a diversified wine list that is very reasonably priced, a warm and inviting setting, excellent service and some of the best sushi dishes I have ever tasted - definitely habit forming! See you there!