Nagomi

Nagomi is a wonderful little neighborhood gem tucked among the small shopfronts and apartments that line Shan Kwong Road — blink and you’ll miss it. Inside is a small Japanese restaurant with a few tables, a homey vibe, and excellent sushi.
We were immediately greeted by the friendly waiter, who seemed to be a combo waiter/manager/(maybe owner?) type — it was just him and the chef working on a Saturday early evening. Arriving around 6:30−7 or so, we were seated immediately and only the second table in the restaurant. Although things picked up a bit by the time we left at 8 – 8:30, it was nice to see that you have a good chance at a walk-​in table on a Saturday night.
We ordered the Seaweed Salad with Vinegar (not my thing, but my wife loved it), Salmon and Yellowtail Nigiri, one Spicy Tuna Roll, one Spicy Scallop Roll and two Asahis and prepared to dig in. I was truly surprised at how good the sushi was — not because I expected it to be bad, but because I did not expect it to be that good. The Salmon Nigiri in particular was fresh and sweet, and the Spicy Scallop Roll was nothing short of fabulous. They are served as an inside-​out roll with scallop, crunchy bits, and a nick kick accompanied by spicy mayo on the bottom. Slathering the roll in the spicy mayo and dipping it in soy sauce made for a magnificent mouthful. It was so good that we ordered a second. The Spicy Tuna Roll was also quite good, but the Spicy Scallop Roll was the star for me.
The waiter was friendly, funny and attentive, and really made you feel like you were having a low-​key dinner in his living room. It’s exactly the kind of place that I’m thrilled to have in the neighborhood for when I want to go out for dinner but don’t really feel like making a big production of it. Excellent food, relaxed environment and a good value — I’ll be back, and often.