I remember when someone first suggested sushi bars as a Top Ten subject, someone else asked for directions on the proper way to eat sushi. I can certainly do a post on that, but there's so much info on the net it seems somewhat redundant.
I think a more interesting question is should we be eating sushi the way the Japanese in Japan would? It's the same question as Is it important to eat Thai food with a spoon? that we discussed here earlier. ...
All this talk of Panda Gourmet and Sushi Hana has me thinking about sushi.
Tim Zagat of the Zagat Survey has pointed out that Chinese cuisine in the U.S. has stalled while Japanese cuisine continues to do very well. Japanese restaurants are now among the top rated in many cities. (That's certainly true in the Baltimore/Washington guide.) He thinks it's about quality ingredients and "imaginative, healthful preparations."
Also, after a week in Tennessee seafood is mighty appealing. All I've had in that line recently is fried catfish.
Anyway, today's Top Ten Tuesday is favorite sushi bars. I'm a careful sushi eater -- I love it, but ever since a friend almost died a few years ago after dinner at a highly respected New York City sushi restaurant, I'm more cautious.
That doesn't stop me, but I don't eat sushi as often as I used to, so some of these I haven't been to as recently as I would like. Feel free to update or correct me, or post your own favorites below.
Remember, I only have 10 slots here to fill, so if you have a favorite that isn't on the list, please tell us which one you would eliminate to make it fit. ...
Your restaurant critic, always on the lookout for food news for you, is hard at work once again, even though it's the weekend.
The other day when I was buying gas at a Royal Farms store, I discovered that it sold sushi for $3.99. This was so unbelievable that I decided to go back yesterday morning with my camera to take a photo of it as proof.
Of course, when I went back the space where the sushi should have been was empty. ...
I hate to send you to another paper, so please come back after you read this article from the New York Times today on dangerous levels of mercury found in tuna sushi from NYC restaurants.
More fuel for my love/hate relationship with raw fish.
The National Fisheries Institute has sent out an outraged press release saying: ...
I got this e-mail this morning from Will in Annapolis:
...do you know of any Sushi/Asian restaurants in Baltimore that serve brown rice sushi on a regular basis? My girlfriend and I both love sushi but she's a little more of the nutritional mindset and we haven't found any in Annapolis. I appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Not only do I not know of any that make brown rice sushi on a regular basis, I don't know any sushi places that do it at all. Obviously, it's not traditional. The best I could do was this recipe from Epicurious.com. But if you can help Will out, please post below.
(Photo courtesy of Epicurious.com)
I'm used to the concept of rock 'n' roll sushi from spending so much time on the West Coast, but it will be interesting to see if Baltimore is ready for it.
The folks at Ra Sushi think so. Sometime next year, probably as early as February, the Arizona-based chain will be opening a branch at 701 S. Eden St.
If you're into the Zen of sushi, this high-energy concept isn't for you. I asked their marketing people to send me a couple of photos from other locations, just to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Slip a rock CD into your computer and turn the volume up full blast to get the full effect while you look at the photos.
(Photos courtesy of Ra Sushi)
*Hold one piece of sushi sideways with the fish side towards you by either using your fingers or chopsticks.
*Dip the fish side into the soy sauce. Avoid dipping the rice in the sauce.
*Place the whole piece of sushi in your mouth and enjoy!
These are tips for beginners from sushi master Nobu Matsuhisa. Here's the whole interview on the New Asian Cuisine Web site.
While I was checking Joss Cafe & Sushi Bar in the 2007 Zagat guide for my last post, it struck me once again how odd it is that the two restaurants in the guide tied for top-rated food are Joss in Annapolis and Sushi Sono in Columbia. I would think Charleston, Prime Rib and Tio Pepe would be right in there with them, given that this is Baltimore.
I know that the category is "top rating for food," not most popular; so...
(Amy Davis/Sun Photographer)
I'm hearing that the empty Kawasaki space at 413 N. Charles is going to be reopened by Joss Cafe & Sushi Bar, the popular Annapolis restaurant. By popular I mean it was one of the two restaurants top rated for food in this year's Zagat guide for the whole Baltimore/Annapolis area.
I went by the spot yesterday afternoon, and it still looks totally deserted. The transfer-of-ownership Liquor Board notice is posted on the door. When I got home, I called Joss to ask what the plans were and spoke to a Tong Boun, who said she was an owner, but, "I am not in the position to give out that information."
She said she would have general manager Heather call me. When I asked when Heather would call, Boun said Heather would be on vacation this week and she would call me next week. When I asked if someone else could call sooner, she said maybe another general manager could. Obviously nothing is going to happen very fast, including my finding out anything.
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