| Author |
Message |
    
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3138
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 9:49 pm: |     |
Ok, once a month we sneak into Sono Japanese restaurant for a quiet dinner. Tonight was planned to be that night.
Well guess what??
14th year in business sale, started tonight thru 10/2. Order whatever you want, 50% off at the cash register. Lines were forming. The two of us ate all the stuff we wanted to try, and ate too much.
$28.59 at the register.
You have to try this.
In Millburn, not on a main road. From Maplewood as you branch off onto Essex Street, just past the diner, park in Muni Parking lot #1, just before the river. Walk down an alley and you will find Sono, between Millburn Avenue and Essex Street.
The food has alway been good, and tonight was just as good despite the fact the place was packed. BYOB with a liquor store 4 stores further down on Essex. Tonight they were out of hot Sake Cold Sake is not that bad!!
Enjoy,
jgberkeley |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 667
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 10:24 pm: | |
I have to wonder how Samurai just down the block has affected their business. My biggest problem with Sono was the amount of time it took for the food to be prepared.
BTW, liked Samurai a few times, but last time was not so great. Maybe we'll have to come full circle and try Sono again! |
magmasystems
Citizen
Username: Magmasystems
Post Number: 138
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 1:17 pm: | |
We have been going to Sono's for years. I would have never thought that Millburn could support two Sushi restaurants. But, Samurai Sushi seems to be going like gangbusters. They have outdoor dining, and the tables outside seem to be always occupied.
I am sure that the owners of Sono's have noticed this. And I am sure that this is what has motivated the 50% sale at Sono's. Especially since I have seen some of Sono's regular customers over at Samurai. Right before Samurai opened up, the lady who owns Sono's gave us free desert. And believe me, it is not in her nature to give away freebies... at least she never did in our previous 14 years of going there.
Sono's has not had good luck over the past few years. They suffered badly at the hands of Hurricane Floyd when the tributary of the Rahway River (which passes right next to Sono's) overflowed the retaining walls. Sono's was closed for several months, if not for a year. Now Samurai opens up on the same block and is pulling away Sono customers. Also, King's and Whole Foods now sell Sushi... I have to admit that sometimes, when I am in the mood for Sushi, I will run over to King's and pick up a few containers (total cost is usually about $20).
Most of these Sushi restaurants get the same fish from the same distributor. You see the same delivery trucks in front of most of the Sushi places. Given that the quality of Samurai and Sonos is roughly equal (in my opnion), it comes down to ambience. And, Millburn residents have a penchant for dining al fresco.
Perhaps Sono's will recoup some of their business in the winter.
Marc
www.millburnweb.com
(The uncensored site for Millburn/Short Hills)
|
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5217
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 9:39 pm: | |
Judging from my recent visits, Sono does not serve the same grade of fish as Samurai. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 670
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 10:47 pm: | |
Dave, please elaborate! I've been waiting to hear your opinion! |
aquaman
Citizen
Username: Aquaman
Post Number: 130
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2003 - 2:44 pm: | |
Attention Sushi Lovers!
Post Hurricane-Blackout Raw Fish Sale!
(Yeeecch! Stick with krill. And don't forget the dental floss.) |
Jonathan Ben-Asher
Citizen
Username: Jonathanba
Post Number: 66
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 11:48 pm: | |
We went there on Sunday night, not knowing about the half price offer. The sushi was, as usual, very good, but the wait for the cooked food was almost an hour. The waitresses were running around looking very pressured and harried. But, because I would impale myself for half price sushi (and having a huge appetite), we will go back again.
Which brings me to -- has there been any change in Sakana since they opened again? We were only there once (when they first opened last winter), and thought the sushi was wonderful.
yours,
Salmon Skin
--- Jonathan Ben-Asher |
Mike Hampton
Citizen
Username: Somo
Post Number: 6
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 12:49 am: | |
I don't know Marc... I thought Sono was about the worst sushi I've ever had. When I mentioned to friends in Millburn that I'd been there, they looked at me like I said I'd just licked garbage from the floor. ;)
I tried it a second time and also found the sushi to be pretty vile. Like took a few bites and started thinking food poisoning vile.
Samurai is good- not great- but certainly a very good local option, which is why I think it's doing so much better- it feels newer/fresher/hipper than Sono too, atmosphere-wise. Though it is awfully small. Take-out is painfully slow too.
Best bet is Monster in Summit though. It's up to the standards of its Manhattan restaurants. And the place looks sweet too. |
magmasystems
Citizen
Username: Magmasystems
Post Number: 152
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 7:19 am: | |
I thought Sono was about the worst sushi I've ever had.
I have found that, over the years, the quality varies. I have had some horrible sushi there, and some excellent sushi. Depends on what day of the week it is and whether or not you are eating this past weekend's leftovers....
Maybe Samurai will give Sono's a big swift kick in the butt, and Sono's will get there act together. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 20
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 8:35 am: | |
Sale on sushi = scary.
If you've had horrible sushi at a place DON'T GO BACK. At least not for the sushi. You shouldn't mess with sushi. Places that serve bad raw fish have a problem. Maybe their supplier is not good. Maybe their storage and preparation is bad. Maybe the chef is not qualified. Or maybe all of the above.
I've read a number of posts on this board about Monster in Summit. I have not tried it, but I've had Monster in the city. And it was not good.
Here's a suggestion based on my experience. If you really like and want sushi, get it in the city. Plan a monthly trip to a good sushi place and splurge. One recommendation: Sushi Yasuda (43rd bet. 2nd and 3rd) is excellent. The eel there is unlike any you'll find, even at the most famous sushi resturants in the city. It's Fed Exed in from Japan. Not frozen. Very very good.
There's nothing wrong with going to the Japanese places around our towns. But order something other than sushi and save up for the real deal in NYC.
(The noise you just heard was me stepping off my soapbox.) |
Mike Hampton
Citizen
Username: Somo
Post Number: 9
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 11:24 am: | |
Thanks for the tip Yossarian. I will have to check out Yasuda.
To return the favor, a really great sushi experience right here in the Garden State is to go to the Japanese supermarket on River Road in Edgewater. Both the actual restaurant there and the booths in the food court. Lots of pointing and guessing, but also lots of fun. |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5347
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 11:36 am: | |
The Sake Club
211 East 43rd Street
Suite B1
New York ,NY 10017
There's no sign. It's in the basement. It's spacious. Huge list of sakes (please don't ask them to heat them up; that's only for bad sake) and great sushi. Where Japanese expats and diplomats eat. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 24
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 11:40 am: | |
We go there about once a month. Used to be called Yaohan, now it's Mitsuwa Marketplace. The food court there is great. Easy. Casual. The kids get a kick out of it too.
The supermarket part is great for things you won't find anywhere else: Japanese Beer (specifically Orion, from Okinawa); soba noodles (very easy to make at home); great sake selection, tasty Japanese pastries. There's also a drug store there where we get these amazing eye drops (I know, strange thing to shop for). They're called Rhoto Zi. They pack a menthol-like wallop, but your eyes feel soooo fresh afterwards.
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Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 25
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 11:45 am: | |
Dave --
I think that's Sakagura you're talking about. What a great place. It's known for "Japanese Tapas." Lots of interesting small dishes you won't find anywhere else (except Japan, that is). And the sake selection is great (but portions are pitifully small!)
After you trudge through the corporate lobby and find your way to the restaurant, it's really like being transported to Japan. Very cool indeed. |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5349
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 12:18 pm: | |
That's the place. I really like their
Gyokai no Marine
Marinated slices of Octopus, Squid, and Prawn |
parkah
Citizen
Username: Parkah
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 8:02 pm: | |
i'm very partial to the lobster store in chelsea market. it's the fish market that supplies sushi grade fish to most of the better sushi restaurants in the city.
you can get sushi made to order as you pick out a nice tuna steak to throw on the bbq for dinner. can't get any sushi fresher. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 299
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 8:13 pm: | |
There is a SUPER Japanese grocery store in Fort Lee. A friend of the family (Japanese) drove down from Boston with friends in order to shop there and then cook at our house. It’s even listed in their travel guides. They sell all of the stuff for a make your own sushi night. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 27
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 - 8:35 am: | |
Brett --
That's the place described above -- Mitsuwa Marketplace. Whenever we go there we get tuna, mince it with scallion and a little wasabi, and serve over sushi rice. Delicious home made sushi dinner you'd find in a restaurant under the name tekka-don, although in a restaurant they probably won't mince it (unless they really know what they're doing and you ask then to do it).
What did your friend from Boston make? Sounds like it must have been good. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 304
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 - 8:41 am: | |
I didn't accually attend the dinner. I was just surprised that this place was listed in thier travel book as the best place on the east coast to get "authentic" food.
your dish sounds great. I have to find time to make the drive up there now. |
Phil
Citizen
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 708
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 - 10:18 pm: | |
Having tried many options to get fine quality sushi in NJ we finally tried Ajian on Rte 22 in Watchung. The recommendation came from here and we have been back many times since. Excellent food and excellent service.
Directions:
Go West on Springfield Ave, becomes Meisel Ave, to get to Rte 22.
Get on Rte 22 West for exactly 5 miles.
It's on the right just past the Mobil station on the right. Look for the orange lanterns.
Yes, I know, it's not where you'd expect to find good sushi (next door to Target and Home Deephole), but trust me, it's worth the 10 mile drive.
|
AZ
Citizen
Username: Azaltsman
Post Number: 207
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 5:56 pm: | |
Best sushi in the area - Monster Sushi on Springfield Ave in Summit. Hands down THE best!
In NYC - Yama on Carmine Street or Nobu in TriBeca (need at least 2 weeks in advance) |
Dawn Botti
Citizen
Username: Slushpuppy
Post Number: 12
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, November 6, 2003 - 2:24 pm: | |
I found the posts on this thread so surprising ! My husband and I are huge sushi fans and have been to a lot of sushi restaurants in both NJ and NYC. We recently moved from Jersey City where we had our "regular" Komegashi (and Komegashi II in Newport Center) --
First 2 times we tried Samarai (b/c they deliver to our house) we were really pleased -- then we tried it a couple more times and were very disappointed (tough seaweed and bland fish).... so two weeks ago we tried SONO. I hadn't heard anything about the place and so we did not know what to expect.
But the food was OUTSTANDING !! As good as anything I have ever had...especially their special appetizers !! We were mystified as to why the place was empty....now I guess I know....
But maybe they are making a point to be more service oriented and make their food better. The staff was so friendly and seemed sincerely proud of their food. In fact, they even explained to us that they do NOT get their fish from the same place as the other sushi restaurants in town.
We ended up chatting for a long time with the Mangager and the owner.... by the end of the night we were a little tipsyon sake and on a first name basis with everyone !
I hope the quality and service stay consistant...but so far we have been nothing but pleased with SONO. |
soresident
Citizen
Username: Soresident
Post Number: 90
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 7:40 pm: | |
Nouveau Sushi,635 Bloomfield Avenue , Montclair http://nj.com/dining/reviews_ledger.ssf?14832?14832
Taro
32 Church Street , Montclair (listed as Japanese, Korean,uncategorized) - Its interesting, upscale with Asian influences. Very pretty. |
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