If they’d expand, and put in a hibachi flat grill, or two, they could make a killing. Because the food is four stars and that’s pretty great for a small operation. So I look up a place near my hotel for some Sushi or hibachi place. Sakura pops up a few minutes away. So I figure, ok hibachi and sushi, perfect. I find the very easy. I see the sign, I see this small place, that literally reminds me of an old type “Taco Bell” drive thru. My thought, oh no, this might be a bad idea. I go inside, there are booths and a few tables, and a counter that looks like an old “Taco Bell” ordering counter… but there is a sushi bar(?) kinda of, where the sushi chef is doing his work. I sit at a booth, nice lady comes over with menu, and asks me what I’d like to drink. I’m thinking Sapporo beer, but nope, just soft drinks. Order a ginger ale and settle in. The lady is super gracious with many “thank you” and now I’m feeling good because she’s really gracious! I check the menu, very nice variety of rolls and … yes Hibachi! Prepared in the kitchen not at a table. I’m still digging the polite service. She’s back ready to take my order. I order Miso soup, Kani salad, and two different roles. This “Oaklyn” roll sounds really good, and a black dragon roll. Get the soup and the kani salad. Mind you I’ve eating Japanese food since 1970, as a young man who worked at a Japanese company called “Kenwood Electronics” for those who can remember. And I was taken to some of the best places in NYC by my Japanese bosses. Tatami rooms etc. So, the miso soup is great, the Kani salad is a little spicy, as the lady reminded me before I dug in. Gracious! I’m really into the favors and it’s all very good. Then my rolls come out. ( see pics ) The display looks very Japanese, with a modern touch (colorful). Ok, long story short- Outstanding! The rolls were firm, tasty and about eight pieces per roll. I even thought oh no, folk and knife. But I used my chopsticks, as tradition demands. Best darn Sushi I’ve had in a long while. I forgot where I was, and feeling very good that I decided to stay. The time I was there, the phone was ringing with customer orders on a Sunday afternoon. Every few minutes I could hear the nice lady saying hi to her drive thru customers, as if they were all friends. Now I can’t remember what I paid, but it was worth it. I even left the sushi chef a $5 tip in his jar besides the 20% tip on the bill. I left satisfied, and knowing some Japanese, not much. I knew they were not Japanese, so I asked, and yes, Chinese. But it did not matter, the food was excellent. So I bowed, and left them with a nice “shee shee née” in Chinese (thank you)! If you’re in the area, you should stop and try their rolls.
