In the past few years the Leslieville area has done a lot of things right: its refused entry to Walmart, its supported the growth of small, good quality businesses like Dark Horse Espresso Bar and Bonjour Brioche, and it has become a hub for design houses, furniture stores, and independent shops. Queen East is fast becoming the new Queen West.

Leslieville would be perfect, if it wasn't for its White Elephant. Don't pretend you don't know what that is, faithful readers. But worry not, raw-fish-piners, the pragmatically named Sushi Bar has finally opened its doors in the short-lived Soma locale. Don't anticipate too many rare finds here and the controversial blue fin has not made the card either.

In this exposed brick elegant, deep and narrow space, tinged with Japanese touches like floral wallpaper and globular paper lanterns, what you can expect are some fairly priced bento boxes (vegetable tempura with tofu terriyaki $15.95, bulkoki and tempura $17.95), moderately priced sushi/sashimi sets and a grab-bag of tasty standards to boot. The menu does feature all of the popular rolls (dynamite, spider roll, spicy tuna, etc) but it also has a few unique combinations, like the sunflower roll, spicy deep fried shrimp rolled in mango; the crazy california roll, avocado, crab, and cucumber wrapped in fresh salmon; or the green monster: deep fried shrimp, crab, and cucumber topped with avocado. For all the Leslieville health conscious, the rolls are available in brown rice for an extra charge.

Although this new sushi spot is handsome, function definitely outweighs form in this locale. That said, in a young, working class area like Leslieville, it's bound to be a proletariat 'place to be.' – E.H