Sushi Zone, October 27, 2007

There are so many things right about this place - it's unpretentious and let's the quality and preparation of the food speak for itself. I had been read multiple reviews about Sushi Zone and was most notably warned that lines start to form outside before the restaurant opens. Molly and I arrived at 4:45pm on Saturday evening and got in line behind the 5 people who were already there. By the time the doors opened at 5:02pm, there were at least 10 people in line eager to get a seat. The restaurant is small and simply, but tastefully, decorated with a background of classic rock playing. I think the sushi chef was singing along to most of the songs. There are two small booths in the window (that can each seat 4) and a sushi counter with 8 or 9 barstools. We were seated at the bar and quickly scanned the specials board and menu. The kitchen is minimal and consists of a small hot plate and toaster oven just to the side of the suhsi counter. There is one man who makes the hot dishes (soup and a couple baked items, etc.), one waitress and one sushi chef.

We placed our order and were glad to be towards the front of the line-up. Since one sushi chef makes everything, you can't be in a huge rush to get your food. We started with a miso soup, sunomono salad w/ octopus, hot tea and a large unfiltered sake. Slowly our food began to arrive. We started with baked sea bass with mango. It isn't something I would normally be drawn to order, but we overheard a woman outside while we were in line talking about it. The sea bass, mango, butter and some creamy topping are all placed in a large mussel shell and baked in the toaster oven until the top is lightly browned. This dish is amazingly delicious and if i didn't think it would eventually clog my arteries, I would want to eat it everyday. We ordered two rolls; a spicy hamachi roll with avocado, jalapeno and lime, and a soft shelled crab w/ avocado roll (spider roll). I have to say that the spicy hamachi roll may be the best roll I've ever had. The hamachi was left in pretty large chunks lightly covered in a spicy mayo, the jalapeno was flavorful but not too spicy, the avocado fatty and sweet and the lime brightened all of the flavors. We also ordered 2 orders of maguro, 1 hamachi & 1 sake. Everything was superb. The fish was fresh and buttery and the sushi chef cut and prepared everything perfectly. Our meal took and hour and a half and there were a steady stream of people coming in and waiting. I will definitely be back, but do fear the lines a little bit. I've also hear that Sushi Time on Market and Noe is great (inside that little mall below the book store) and doesn't have the lines. That will be my next stop....

Sushi Zone is located at 1815 Market St. @ Pearl St. and is open from 5pm - 10pm daily.