By Vicki Paris Goodman
Entertainment Writer
Not to make the obvious play on words, but Awesome Sushi is, well, awesome. The owner, Nina, and sushi chefs are friendly as can be, the atmosphere is at once welcoming and distinctly urban, and the food is of the highest quality. What more can one ask?
Neena and I descended upon the restaurant on a Tuesday night, which even then attracted a goodly crowd. Awesome Sushi has its fans.
Rather than choose one of the window-adjacent tables, we plopped ourselves down at the sushi bar. The better to kibitz with the sushi guys and watch the action.
Get there before 6:30 Monday through Friday (3:30 to 6:30, to be exact), and have loads of fun with the “awesome hours menu.” We did. That menu has bunches of individual sushi pieces for a buck each, including an amazing octopus salad and a really unusual and delicious, bright red seaweed salad. Gobs of special rolls are also available during these hours at half price!
After we had our way with the “awesome hours menu,” Neena ordered the Sushi Platter ($13.95) and I went for the Sashimi Platter ($14.95). Both assortments feature chef’s choices of fish, so they might vary from day to day. It’s good to be surprised, especially when it means I’m getting the best the restaurant has to offer that day. The platters come with miso soup, and a side salad or rice can be added for $1.
We loved our platters, which were fresh as can be and more than ample. My sashimi pieces had little dabs of excellent sauces or condiment, which added to the fish’s fabulous flavor and texture.
Awesome Sushi’s menu features a wide variety of appetizers, including tempura, teriyaki, gyoza and edamame. A number of meal-size salads are also featured, as are many specialty sushi and sashimi plates, rolls and hand rolls. Rice bowls and a nice variety of combination plates are also available.
The $7.95 lunch specials, served every day from 11am to 3:30pm, sound particularly intriguing with two choices of main items plus miso soup. You can add a side salad or side of rice for $1.
I was so happy to note that brown rice is an option.
Awesome Sushi’s motto, as stated on its menu, is, “let’s find out why it’s awesome.” Neena and I certainly did.
Awesome Sushi is located at 2601 Clark Ave. and can be reached at (562) 627-9625. Restaurant hours are Monday through Friday 11am to 10pm; Saturday 11:30am to 10pm; Sunday 11:30am to 9pm. Beer and sake are available.
More Information
myawesomesushi.com
