Have you ever had a place that you go because the food gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside? (The good warm fuzzy that is...) Bev's food is like that - like having your mother's home cooking. The soup that they use in their pho is perfect, an understated masterpiece! Throw on some sate and bang! flavors jump out at you in all directions.

Definitely worth a visit!

The name Kakurenbou means Hide and Seek and when you first look at the place you think to yourself - why are there only four chairs? But as you go in you hear the laughter and vibrancy of a much larger venue. The host/ess will escort you into the hidden dining area behind where you will find old Japanese memorabilia and some of the best interior design you have ever seen! The food is not sushi - lets be clear on this. Anyone who does not understand the word Izakaya needs to know this - it means pub. So the menu consists of different appies that are to be shared. Its a great way to try all sorts of different japanese cuisine. Have you ever had sakura sashimi? If you don't know what that is - go there and try it. Also the owner, though classically trained in Ginza, is from Nagoya, a prefecture in Japan that is famous for its chicken - so be sure to try their chicken wings and of course, be sure to pair the meal with a bottle or two of cold sake (and not a Californian one!) or a pitcher of Sapporo beer.

Here's the deal. It's a $10 steak sandwich on Tuesday and it's a real steak! Not the half inch thick dog chew that you find at other places. This is a thick juicy steak - the kind that you can find at an established steak house. There are also other lunch specials that change weekly that are a definite must! Also be sure to ask about their calendar.

Seeing as Koki and Steve have been in the sushi business for over 20 years it is not surprising that the sushi is perfect and that the quality is top tier. What was surprising was their choice of oysters. They bring in THE BEST Kumamoto oysters that I have ever had - yes you may have had them in other oyster bars, but trust me - these are rank above!

So if anyone is looking for a true Japanese experience here it is. Make a reservation for the sushi bar and be prepared for a treat. Talk to the guys over the counter, ask for their recommendations - don't even bother looking at a menu. Ask for something unusual and you shall get it. Traditional Japanese restaurants run a little differently - the servers do not come to you to check up on you - you call for them when you need something. So if your glass is empty, call a waitress that is walking by and she'll get you another. If you're in a tatami room in the back, call out "Sumimasen" which is "excuse me" in Japanese - trust me this is not rude at all.

Lets talk food. Traditional sushi does not consist of dynamite rolls, kamakaze rolls, or dragon rolls. These are north americanized creations. In Japan there are basically four rolls, Kappa (cucumber), Tekka (tuna), Negi Toro (Belly of tuna and green onions) and Futomaki (large roll with egg, gourd and vegetables). So when thinking of sushi, shift your focus away from the roll, and experiment with the different varieties of fish. Sushi Hiro carries the widest variety of fresh fish that i have ever seen in north america. Try some Aji, Kampachi, Kohada, Kinmedai, Awabi, and anything else that you have never heard of - its well worth the experience!

Sushi Hiro is a true traditional Japanese restaurant - the best and only one of its kind in Calgary!

Okay - so this website has to acknowledge that Sushi Kai has a new location on 14th street just north of Globefish.

If anyone has ever had to wait in line at Globefish, you're wasting your time and money. Cross the street and head north!

Sushi Kai is brilliant. Not what I would call a traditional Japanese restaurant but a quality sushi vendor none the less. The food is served fast, the fish is fresh and the value is unbelievable!

For those of you who like Uni and Kanpachi they have weekly specials where you can get two orders for $3.00!

They have an impressive menu with a unique selection of interesting dishes like Takoyaki, shark fin salad, and of course they have the old favorites like tempura and gyoza. They even have Ramen!