Sushi can be an expensive treat, but even if you are on a fairly modest budget you can eat to your heart’s content at Toro Sushi, Teppanyaki and Seafood, a new restaurant in Mount Pleasant.
You’ll find Toro in the same corner at King’s Court occupied in the past by Cape Town Fish Market, a landmark restaurant at a time when that area did not have many eating out options.
Today, of course, there are several, including Raak 2, Otak Otak, Divino (it’s moved from Richmond Hill), Fish Finder and more.
Toro has kept the original layout of CTFM with the bar area and teppanyaki tables at the back, and sushi conveyor belt in the centre, but has freshened it up with colourful red lanterns and a glass mobile over a large fish tank.
One of the big attractions is undoubtedly its R169 sushi buffet, which is available every day.
A sushi-loving friend reckons seven portions from the buffet would add up to the total expense.However, if you factor in more luxurious items like sashimi and salmon roses then you are way ahead before then – and who doesn’t love to beat the bank at the casino?Although diners are restricted to one order of sashimi, the choices are generous when compared to other restaurants in Port Elizabeth (salmon roses, for example, are sometimes excluded on sushi buffets).
You can help yourself to any of the colourful little plates trundling round on the conveyor belt or order from the buffet menu, which includes California and maki rolls, fashion sandwiches, nigiri sushi, a few specialities and several “hot” options.However, if you are not a sushi fan there is still plenty to enjoy.On another visit for a special birthday meal we had the Cajun-spiced seared tuna steak, grilled with lemon and spring onion teriyaki sauce from the Toro Teppanyaki menu, and it was delicious.The meat and potatoes brigade are not Toro’s target market, of course, but there are a few steak choices, pork loin ribs, stuffed chicken breast and the ever-popular surf and turf.Our friends’ kiddos also have enjoyed the fish fingers and there are other kiddy-pleasers such as chicken strips, cheesy chips, and ice-cream and chocolate sauce.There is also a small playroom for children, with windows where parents can peer in to check up on the littlies now and then.
On this visit, our starter of grilled Falkland calamari tubes (R58) was generous while a main of 300g rump steak with pepper sauce was a surprisingly low R85 – on special admittedly.However, I would not recommend steak at Toro. When in Rome, they say, and my sushi platter (R129) was gorgeous.It is never cheap to eat out in style, and restaurants certainly do sometimes gouge their customers, but Toro’s wine list is pleasantly affordable. Our bottle of Protea sauvignon blanc was R104, for example, its crisp dry flavour a great mate for sushi while cocktails start at R40 and shooters R22.Waitress Ara was friendly and efficient, and although one couple told us of tardy service this was our third visit to Toro and we’ve had great service each time.Now I’m looking forward to trying the teppanyaki table, where you watch the chef chop and cook your dish on the sizzling grill in front of you.Toro is open from 11am to 10pm seven days a week. Bookings are on 041-368-1666 or contact info@torosushi.co.za  
This review visit was unannounced, anonymous and the meal paid for in full.