Maruwa Sushi (as recommended by kanachan in the sushi thread.)
130-11320 Steveston Highway (Just off the 99 Hwy) at Ironwood Plaza right in front of the Canadian Tire and beside the Tim Hortons and Sleep Country.
Arrival/First Impressions
My lady friend and I showed up and to our surprise, this place was packed to the brim. We walked inside and asked the waitress a table for 3, she said that they were full and they have reservations all night. Basically, we got the impression that they wanted to turn us away. We insisted on staying so the waitress said it would be about a 15 to 20 minute wait and so we did. A few minutes later, Alphamale showed up to join us. After reading a few posts in the sushi thread in regards to Japanese-owned sushi restaurants, if they are packed and they're doing well as a restaurant, they will turn you away so this was expected nor were we taken by surprise. Regardless, we were seated exactly 15 minutes later and brought to our seats in the rear corner.
This restaurant has daily specials such as live uni, oysters and such other interesting seafood. The waitress told us about it but we declined as we were hoping to get a sample of what they have to offer. I myself, ordered a salmon don, california roll, and two pieces of chopped scallop sushi. My lady friend ordered a spicy tuna don and an oshinko roll while Alphamale was set on a combo roll consisting of chopped scallop, California and dynamite roll. We all ordered a plate of salmon sashimi (6 pieces only) to share as a group.
Presentation & Food Quality
Presentation wise, it was nicely done. Nothing fancy but they did what served the purpose. We didn't order anything special so it came out laid out as-is. My salmon don had finely cut pieces of salmon layered on top of one another on a bed of rice. The same goes with my lady friend's spicy tuna don in which the rice had sauce and a raw quail egg on top. The pieces of sushi were not huge and were finer pieces in which they were exactly the right size and portions.
As for the overall taste of the food - it was rather delicious. I don't know what it is but the smaller pieces and fresh seafood made it taste really really good. It wasn't anything extraordinary or mind-blowing or something to turn you into a sushi snob (refer to my sig) but the food just tasted great. None of this chewing on a steak of salmon or tuna nor fighting to shove a roll down your mouth because it's so big. It was pretty good but however, I still do believe that the salmon is farmed but they use the fresh(er) ones and it doesn't taste gross like what you get at Samurai or AYCE joints. I'm no sushi expert so I can't say for sure.
Service
Service was somewhat attentive however, they kept on ignoring Alphamale's request for tea numerous times; I recall 3 times.
For a mom'n'pop shop, I personally don't believe the waitresses were properly trained to serve but I don't care about this too much. The food came out on a reasonable amount of time and of course, we were seated as upon the time they quoted us. The sushi costs a tad bit more than say Sushi Garden or Samurai etc. but the quality is there so it was worth it.
I'd give this place a 8.5 or 9/10. Service could be a little better but again, I don't care that much. Make your reservations ahead of time if you plan to go during dinner time. We went on a Saturday and it died down around 7:30/8pm so I'd say you're safe for the most part. Would I go back? Definitely, but a little out of the way for me.
Good pick, kanachan!