Romantic Dinner at the Sushi Counter: How to Make It Special

Romance at a restaurant does not always require candles and white tablecloths. It can come from shared attention, a slower rhythm, and two people focused on something beautiful together. The sushi counter delivers all three without effort.

Why the Counter Is a Romantic Setting

In a large dining room, attention divides constantly: other tables, passing servers, background music, neighbouring conversations. At the Aji counter, everything pulls you back to the essential. Fourteen seats, no more. The chef is a metre away. Each piece is prepared in full view of both guests and placed directly in front of them, with a word from the chef if they want it.

This arrangement creates a natural conversational frame without forcing interaction. There is no need to talk continuously: the chef's work gives both guests something to observe, exchange on, or sit with quietly. That quality of comfortable silence is rare in a restaurant.

The pacing is equally important. Omakase removes the negotiation of a menu. The chef decides the sequence, piece by piece. You simply arrive, sit together, and receive. That sense of shared surrender to someone else's expertise is, in its own way, quite intimate.

Booking for Two: What to Know

Aji operates on reservations. The 14-seat counter fills quickly, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays. For a romantic dinner, plan to book at least two weeks in advance, and further ahead for dates around Valentine's Day or long weekends.

When booking, mention that this is a romantic dinner or a special occasion. The team can adjust small service details accordingly: preferred seating at the counter, particular attention to the evening's pacing.

Hours at Aji: Mon to Thu 11h - 22h, Fri 11h - 23h, Sat 17h - 23h, Sun 17h - 22h. For a romantic weeknight dinner, the Mon to Thu window tends to be calmer. Saturday evenings carry a livelier energy.

Preparing the Evening

The simplest preparation: bring a bottle you both enjoy. Aji is a BYOB restaurant. A Champagne or Crémant d'Alsace pairs beautifully with edomae cuisine: the acidity and bubbles cleanse the palate between pieces and lift the more delicate fish.

If you prefer still wine, a white Burgundy or a first cru Chablis are classic choices. A dry Alsatian Riesling works equally well. Avoid heavily oaked or tannic wines: they overpower the subtlety of the sushi.

You can ask the chef for a particular focus during the meal, a seasonal ingredient he is excited about that evening, or simply trust him to build the sequence with your preferences in mind. A quick note at booking is enough.

Dress Code and Counter Etiquette

There is no enforced dress code at Aji, but the counter atmosphere naturally calls for a considered appearance. Smart casual is the right register: a well-cut shirt, a simple dress, a light jacket. The one thing to avoid is heavy fragrance. Perfume interferes with the fine aromas of the fish, and the counter is close quarters.

At the counter, you eat at the chef's pace. When a piece is set in front of you, that is the moment to eat it: a nigiri left to wait loses its structural integrity and its temperature balance. Eat each piece within a minute of receiving it.

Phones can stay in your pocket. There is no absolute rule, but the counter invites presence. A discreet photo from time to time is entirely acceptable.

Making It Memorable

Evenings at the counter tend to be remembered through a specific detail: an unexpected piece the chef chose that night, a quiet exchange about where a bluefin came from, a moment of shared silence over a perfect uni nigiri. These things cannot be arranged in advance. They simply happen when you are paying attention.

For an added personal touch, a thoughtful gift for your companion is always welcome. A well-chosen bottle, a book on Japanese cuisine, a concert ticket for later in the season. Aji is not the place for an outside cake or table decorations, but the occasion can absolutely be marked with elegance.

After the meal, consider a walk. The Rosemont neighbourhood around Saint-Zotique Est is pleasant in the evening. A slow stroll after an omakase is a good way to extend what was already a long, unhurried pleasure.