Toronto Free Press Restaurant Guide

Mochizuki

Reach for the Moon and Stars

Mochizuki, meaning "Inspire the Moon," is inspired indeed! Designed by part owner Kit Lam, this new Japanese restaurant on Bay St. at Elm, is a picture perfect study of understated elegance.

At the center of this spacious sanctuary is a rotating sushi bar, popular for some time in Japan, but still a relative novelty in North America. As the individual servings of sushi dishes go by on a conveyer belt, customers can simply take what they want and pay by the plate ($3.50 - $7.50), as they sit in comfort around the bar. In the middle of the bar, sushi chef and part owner Alan Chen works his magic to create the most beautiful sushi I have ever seen, all with fresh fish and seafood from their very own aquarium. It was almost too pretty to eat, but when we finally did try it, we soon realized that it tasted as good as it looked.

The outer area of Mochizuki, separated by the sushi bar with glass, is a more traditional dining room; carpeted, with an abundance of plants, this area is meant to symbolize an outdoor Japanese garden, while the sushi bar represents a more modern, indoor Japanese restaurant. The visual effect is stunning, and the indoor/outdoor concept is brilliant.