Mark T.
Yelp
I base this review on the Monday AYCE Sushi menu. They do not advertise it, nor do they provide a paper menu. Only by checking the website would you know it exists.
AYCE is typically suitable for folks who eat sushi like a vacuum cleaner, yet this is not an excuse for lackluster pieces of substandard quality. The Salmon Mango, while not phenomenal, is one of the rolls we ordered again. While fine the first time, the following iterations had some unwelcome funk. Not the kind that gets you sick, but that indicates the fish isn't fresh. Yikes.
The rest of the rolls were uninteresting. I would have loved to provide my usual exhaustive, meticulous review if there was something to write about. While to be fair, some, like the Salmon Mango and Hamachi Tartare, were topped with fish, inside each was a minute amount. The exception is the Spicy Tuna, yet the filling is ground tuna mixed with tempura and alleged spice.
The service left something to be desired. At the start of the night, 5pm, the restaurant was almost dead. Yet, the service was surprisingly inattentive, and we had to wait longer than I had expected. This did get better towards the end of the meal, and the sushi came out fast. Still, the initial experience left an unpleasant first impression.
It comes down to a question of value. At a rate of $49/pp, I expect both a higher caliber of food and service. The name, the vibe, the big doors, and the handles... it is a façade. Something is seriously wrong when I can get much better sushi at Market Basket.
Finally, some minor details that, while don't make or break a restaurant, matter nonetheless. The wonton chips were light, crisp, and not overly greasy, yet lacked even a flake of salt. Also, we were initially provided one tiny 'plate' with wasabi and ginger. Less than you'd get in a takeaway container for one portion, and this was for three people getting AYCE. We could ask for more, but it speaks to execution and attention to detail.
While I haven't tried their other offerings, nor am I a partier, this experience left me without any desire for making a return visit.