It’sDiningTime!
San Francisco/Bay Area restaurant reviews by Chris NorrisArchive for Japanese
Kobe
Kobe
June 2008
Hmmmm. At one time, Kobe was considered a pretty happening Japanese restaurant. However, the years have gone by, and while much else in the world has changed, I don’t think Kobe has made a serious effort to upgrade their menu, their staff, or their facility. Kobe is located in what used to be Mervyn’s Center on El Camino in Santa Clara. But, since it appears that all of the original buildings housing department stores in this strip mall are slated for demolition in the near future, perhaps Kobe’s days are numbered as well. Personally, the only reason I’d go back to Kobe would be to hear the inside scoop about what’s going on in South Bay high technology companies. There are so many conversations in progress at this restaurant during weekday lunches that you could write an entire technology blog while ingesting your daily recommended allowance of maguro and hamachi!
Izakaya Restaurant, San Jose
Izakaya Restaurant, San Jose
Feb 2008
Hmmmmm. Izakaya is a little sushi place nestled between two other restaurants on First Street near downtown San Jose. Izakaya is actually crammed into the corner of a building shared with Genji and has about 8 tables and quite good sushi. While I don’t have recent experience at Izakaya’s neighbors, House of Genji, a Teppan style Japanese steak house, or Cathay Chinese Restaurant, they have both been good lunch choices in past years. And, Menara Moroccan Restaurant is just across the street on Gish. Lots of choices on this corner, but Izakaya’s not a bad choice when the need for sushi hits you suddenly.
Sushi Boat, Santa Clara, CA
Sushi Boat, Santa Clara, CA
November 2007
Hmmmmm. You are in the mall. You are in the mall and you are hungry. You are in the mall and you are hungry and the thought of fast food makes you queasy. You might be looking for a Sushi Boat! While the variety of sushi is limited and some dishes can taste bland, the fish at least tastes fresh, the price is right, and you can be in and out in 20 minutes or less! And c’mon, it IS kind of cool to choose your food off of little boats floating by your spot at the counter! But, here’s the secret: Don’t order off the boats. Ask the Chef to make you whatever you want and they will gladly serve you some custom Sushi! In the mall!
Okada, Wynn, Las Vegas, NV
Okada, Wynn, Las Vegas, NV
December 2007
Way Good. Okada is a Japanese restaurant at the Wynn Hotel, serving incredible food, including sushi and sashimi along with a wide selection of hot dishes and soups. The saki list is a mile long and since I’m not even close to being an expert, I folded and just ordered what the waiter suggested. The ceviche, sashimi, lobster miso soup, and paper wrapped sea bass were all wonderful. In fact, I’ve gone to considerable effort to replicate the sea bass at home. Here’s what I do: Marinate the fish (sea bass or salmon) in soy sauce, rice wine and miso paste for about 30 minutes. Then, wrap the fish in parchment paper with a sliver of lemon and a few cilantro leaves. Place in a 350F oven for 10 minutes and be prepared for a little Okada fish heaven at your own table!
Sushi on the Run in Los Gatos, CA
June 2007
Woo Hoo! Sushi on the Run is literally a “hole in the wall” on Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos. I probably walked by it dozens of times until Laura, whose law office is in Los Gatos, discovered it. The place will seat ten, maybe twelve, people at a counter and everyone else really does need to take the sushi to go, since there just isn’t room for any standing around. In addition to the usual selection of nigiri and sashimi, Sushi on the Run has a wide and unique selection of custom maki (rolls). After trying a few of the custom rolls, you will fall in love with the place, and the nigiri and sashimi can hold their own against some of the best Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area. I can specifically recommend the Waz Roll made from saba (mackerel) and ginger, the Rikki’s Rolls Royce which includes unagi (eel), hamachi (yellowtail) and peanut sauce, and the Mello Yellow which true to its name, includes hamachi (yellowtail) and macadamia nuts! The Sushi Chef can be a bit taciturn, but the fish he serves will brush that away and keep you coming back!
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Kamakura in Los Gatos, CA
2 April 2007
S’OK. A competent japanese restaurant. The fish (sushi and sashimi) is fresh – we’ve tried the Hamachi, maguro, ebi, salmon, saba, and some rolls, all of which were good. There is a large selection of custom designed rolls – worth a lunch stop just to try a few of the rolls. One we especially enjoyed came wrapped in cucumber rather than seaweed! On the down side, the edamame was mushy and the miso truly unremarkable. If you like sashimi, order the Hamachi and Maguro platter – it rocks!
