I was pleasantly surprised and genuinely happy a week ago when I got an e-mail from Thomas, formerly with the famed Yusan Sushi in El Cerrito, CA that is no longer in business, about the grand opening of his own sushi place in El Cerrito. Unfortunately I was in NYC last week and did not have a chance to go, so tonight I went with Monte and Irene. I didn’t take any photos of the restaurant because I was too busy eating. Note to self: must figure out camera setting for indoor food photo-taking.
It was a pleasant evening — Thomas seemed more chatty without the ever talkative Kaz (who is going to be working at the restaurant too! yay!) I was quite upset when Yusan closed — it felt like a huge part of my past year in CA was being wiped away — out of my control, against my will (story of my life lately). But now my beloved sushi chefs will still be there…I have to say I still like the old space better (even with the carpet that grossed me out too)
Food was good as ever — fresh fish and beautiful selection — we ordered uni, amaebi, ika, grilled scallop, grilled hamachi, spicy tuna hand roll, tamago, and Thomas generously offered to let us try some of his gigantic futomaki as well as agadeshi tofu from the back kitchen. I am new at this food blog gig and forgot to take photos until halfway through. I highly recommend it. Just don’t go there and eat all the uni. save some for me (by the way, they have “uni don” on the menu…offered seasonally, I guess depending on if the restaurant receives enough uni).
uni
half-eaten ika
tamago
amaebi
fried amaebi heads
futomaki
I learned that a traditional futomaki has to have 9 ingredients (not counting the basic elements of any roll, namely the rice, sesame and nori)…we spent a lot of time dissecting ours. See photo above, can you name all 9 secret ingredients? (Damn, I watch too much Iron Chef).
Unlike Yusan Sushi which was only open for dinner and closed Sun-Mon, Taki sushi is opened for lunch everyday (I believe Thomas said except Sunday), but don’t quote me on it, and is open everyday for dinner. The sushi bar is not open for lunch though; they do a simpler bento-style menu with more cooked items.
Taki Sushi is located at 10889 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530.
Life, Food 