If you like smaller sushi places on a tight budget but with decent to excellent sushi there are two that come to mind. Toshi, 16th and Main: It's small, with roughly 30 (packed) seats and a small bar for another 8. Expect a lineup virtually any time you go there (they normally don't take reservations) from 5 minutes to 30. The inerior is newly decorated and the atmosphere is a friendly solid homstyle, if somewhat busy. What struck me was the ammount of staff, 3 sushi chefs, 2 (visible) in the kitchen and 3-4 people waiting on the tables. The sortiment is not very distinguished, but everything they have is very good. Make sure to try the agadashi tofu (spicy) almost too crisp at the beginning but perfect after a minutes soaking in the sauce. The houseroll is divine, not the usual supersized lets see how much we can fit in one roll style, more like a spiced up crab roll with a layer of ripe buttery avocado on top. Also give the weekly specials a try, a roll with mango might not be everybodys favorite, but well worth a try. Prices are VERY reasonable and the staff is friendly. Also notable is the ammount of japanese that eat there, always a good sign in my understanding. Shushi Garden, KingsWay oposite of Metrotown (Burnaby) Should you be in the area, give this place a try. Once again a rather small place (some 25 seats) and a constant small lineup is to be expected. It is a perfectly balanced midrange sushi place. Prices are in the 1-4 dollar range for sushi and 8-11 for sashimi, with some of the largest portions of good sushi I've encountered. The spicy tuna combo is the one dish to try there. Not the best sushi place, but so well balanced on price, service, atmosphere, amount and taste that we tend to visit there even if it's a bit out of our way. I hope my initial post will help this thread along on finding the good to excellent midrange sushi places around Vancouver
