01/25/2007 - Izumi is a new Japanese restaurant, located where Ernie's Roadhouse used to be. This time, my daughter Alisyn accompanied me for lunch. As you enter Izumi, the main dining room is on the left and the sushi bar is on the right, down a few steps. We requested to be seated in the smaller back room, which has a terrific view of a waterfall. Yes, a waterfall! The fast running brook that flows in the back drops about 15 feet to form a majestic waterfall in plain sight of the diners. This room has only ten tables and fills up fast. Be sure to request the waterfall room or call ahead to reserve it.
We requested the complimentary green tea, then both selected the Sushi Special ($9.95), which comes with a choice of salad or soup. Ali ordered the salad and I requested the miso soup. I also ordered vegetable Yasai Gyoza ($4.25) as an appetizer. These are the Japanese version of the multi-ethnic, stuffed dumplings that are ubiquitous to virtually every ethnic cuisine. We are fortunate that in this area, we have so many different ethnic restaurants that offer their particular style of stuffed dumplings.
At Izumi, the gyoza are steamed rather than pan fried. They are probably healthier than the pan fried, but lack that nice, browned, "potsticker" crust that I like so much. These were very white and filled with a small amount of indeterminate vegetables. Ali's salad was made with iceberg lettuce and had a dressing that had tasty overtones of ginger and peanuts. My miso soup was a good prelude to my sushi. I would have enjoyed more seaweed and tofu in with the broth.
At lunch, the sushi special comes with five pieces of fish with a California Roll. This was exactly what Alisyn wanted. I ordered a Tuna Roll ($1 extra) with my order. The California Roll was very colorful with orange flying fish roe on the outside, imitation crab, avocado and cucumber on the inside. My tuna roll had a slice of fresh, raw tuna and Japanese "sticky rice", wrapped in nori seaweed. It was sliced into six bite-sized pieces, as was Alisyn's California roll. Both sushi orders had rectangular pieces of salmon, shrimp, yellowtail tuna and white fish all atop their individual sticky rice patties. These were all very fresh and delicious. With tax and tip, the bill for two was $26.25. At dinner, the sushi entree includes seven pieces of fish with soup and salad for $13.95.
Alisyn only had one hour for lunch. The food was served in time for us to enjoy it without feeling rushed. The waitresses were courteous and spoke English very well. Sushi is a great way to enjoy the healthful aspects of fish without adding any cooking fats or calories. At Izumi, the fish is fresh and the prices are affordable. Izumi also offers hibachi at lunch and dinner. The hibachi is prepared in the kitchen and then brought to your table, rather than at the traditional communal hibachi table.
Izumi is open daily for lunch and dinner. Buon appetito and "arrigato" from Albert.
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