I recently returned for dinner at Maïko Sushi on Sources Blvd. in Dollard-des-Ormeaux after a lengthy absence. When my family got up to leave after an outstanding meal, I asked myself, “Why did I wait so long?”
Maïko Sushi began operating in Outremont in 1997, soon opening a much larger locale on the West Island in 2003. Despite the distance from my neighbourhood of Côte Saint-Luc, I saw several people on the night we dined from that area.
The restaurant boasts a beautiful setting, with pretty decorations and seating for 175 people. There is even a movie screen on the back wall, featuring an intro video as well as content related to Japan. At the bar, regulars sit and have dinner. A couple, Richard and Shawna, recognized me from my Instagram profile and called me over to heap praise on bartender Meebu, “as the best in the business.” Right next to this area were some tables where the busy takeout business is managed. On some nights, there are so many orders that they must put the brakes on requests.
A large sushi bar winds around the right side of the establishment. Chef and owner Maïko Tran remains at the helm, albeit with a semi-retired status. Her son Tito and daughters Ximui and Marie-Anne are part of the team as well.
Tony Deng has been the manager for 13 years. He oversees the dining room, checking with customers and even taking some orders. We were fortunate to have Tony handle our table. When we gave the order, he did not mark a thing down and everything we asked for did indeed come as desired.
There were three of us on this night. We started with some drinks and then tried something completely new, the Japanese ravioli soup. It came piping hot, containing mushroom broth and shrimp-filled Japanese dumplings. There was enough for us to share. We took the dumplings out, cut them on a plate and put them back in. They were outstanding.
We started with the Volcano and the Soleil de Maïko. The former featured four fried sweet potato chips, topped with crab meat, imitation crab, spicy mayonnaise, cilantro, green onions, sesame seeds and tobiko, while the latter included four crispy rice cakes spread with goat cheese and topped with a spicy tuna tartare and tobiko.
The Kaki-age has long been one of our favourites here. It is a roll filled with imitation crab, avocado coated with a mix of fried sweet potatoes, onion, green pepper, with a spicy mayo sauce and a teriyaki sauce.
Next came the Toro mousse. This is a Toro tartare in a spicy ponzu sauce with truffled avocado mousse, tobiko, fried phyllo dough and microgreens and served with homemade chips.
The miso-marinated wild black cod was a treat, served with seasonal vegetables.
Finally, the Délices de Maïko was a real treat: fried Alaskan crab roll, rolled in a soy leaf, coated with tuna and avocado slices, served in a creamy truffle oil sauce.
We did save room for dessert, requesting three spoons to savour the chocolate lava cake.
There are a variety of soups, salads and appetizers to choose from as well. They are also known for their superb rib steaks, giant shrimp, lamb, salmon and much more. In the back of the restaurant, there is a private room for small parties or business meetings. Maïko Sushi also has a special luncheon menu.
Maïko Sushi is located at 3339 Boulevard des Sources in Dollard-des-Ormeaux. For reservations, call 514-684-3131. They are open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Thursday and Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. You can call earlier for takeout. Visit their website at maikosushi.ca and follow them on social media, notably on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.