It's hard being a budget-conscious sushi lover. A career thrifster, I've become so used to cheap sushi that biting into the real deal is always a pleasant surprise. Magnify that shock by a thousand when that fresh, succulent first bite comes from a $7.50 lunch special. Finally! No more contriving weird anniversaries just to get some fresh fish (Happy 6 months after our first subway ride together, honey...let's go for sushi!) Now that Lola Sushi has hit the Toronto scene, this girl is buying her own sashimi!

A few blocks south of Eglinton on Yonge, Lola Sushi lets you eat like you live in North Toronto without paying like it. Traditionally decorated in deep blue fabrics, antique pieces, and rice paper screens, Lola is tasteful and cozy. Quick, cheerful service adds warmth to the atmosphere: my server gladly answered my questions, queired my preferences and directed me to specials I hadn't noticed on the menu, ultimately leading me to this special: 5 pieces of sushi, a California roll, soup and salad for $7.50.

Salmon, thick and fresh, soft rice, sweet avocado, delicate beet curls on citrusy salad, and a mountain of ginger all vied to be my favourite parts of the meal, but the true beauty at Lola is that everything tastes good, looks good and costs little. This is why I ended up there again only two days after my first Lola lunch. (Happy 1 week after our first Christmas together, darling: dinner's on me!).

Now, love at first bite is one thing, but could Lola keep my affection a second time around? Not only was my second meal as good as my first (oh, the tempura!), but I learned that Lola's "lunch specials" run all day! For some reason, serving superiour sushi at discount prices is not enough for the good people at Lola: they've got to sweeten the deal by maintaining an all-day bento selection. According to the servers, there is no plan to end these day-long lunches, so there will be plenty of delicious discount options the next time you need sushi, and they'll be there again when it comes time for those "day I discovered Lola" anniversaries, too.