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Newstead
Citizen
Username: Newstead77
Post Number: 16
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 9:23 am: | 
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We went to the new Japanese restaurant in town - Ariyoshi - and were pleasantly surprised by our experience.
Last night was the restaurant's first night open in the previous Taste of Asia location by the train station.
The interior is well-decorated in Japanese style - wooden wall decorations and booths. They are reusing the TOA's fish aquariums - but have added more colorful fish.
Food - we ordered the sushi and sashimi combo - which includes miso soup and garden salad. Sushi quality was exceptional - with the white tuna and salmon melting in your mouth.
Prices - the sushi and sashimi combo was $22 - about the same as the sushi places in Milburn.
Most dishes were priced lower than $22.
Service - service was very good with constant waiter attention (one of issues with the older TOA).
They seem child friendly - they mentioned that they have booster seats - but no high chairs.
It's great to have a good Japanese restaurant in town - not having to go to Montclair or Milburn for good sushi.
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C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2176
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 9:25 am: |
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Dave, can you move this thread to its own space, please? Thanks.
Cathy |
jamie
Moderator
Username: Jamie
Post Number: 991
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 10:24 am: |
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moved |
mary brenner
Citizen
Username: Marybrenner
Post Number: 39
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 10:28 am: |
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It is owned buy the TOA sister. |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 63
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 10:36 am: |
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Nice to hear ... hopefully the decor and ambience lends itself to a much nicer dining experience than TOA. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 809
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 12:28 pm: |
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Just for the record, SO already had a great Sushi restaurant in Sakana, also on SO Ave. Newstead seems to imply that SO was lacking this already.
Having set the record straight, I am anxious to try the new place. I always want to know what the options are. Do they have any creative sushi? I find that our area has mostly the same sushi options, and I am hoping to find a really creative place similar to what you can get in California. |
Irvington Pirate
Citizen
Username: Irvingtonpirate
Post Number: 41
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 1:15 pm: |
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Is this place just for sushi or is habatchi also available? Thanks!  |
Newstead
Citizen
Username: Newstead77
Post Number: 17
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 1:23 pm: |
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AlleyGater,
I thought about noting Sakana in my post - we are anxious to try it - but we've noticed that they aren't open all weekend (can you confirm this?).
In regards to your question about creative sushi - I saw mostly the same sushi you get at most restaurants in this area - with one exception - it was very fresh.
Irvington - I didn't see habatchi - but then again - I wasn't looking for it - so I might have easily missed it.
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AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 821
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 1:45 pm: |
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I am pretty darned sure that Sakana is open on the weekends. You can call to confirm.
Sakana Sushi
134 South Orange Av.
South Orange
763-3585
What I can confirm myself is that they are open until 10PM and have served us many times even though we slipped in mere moments before they closed. Which I try not to do, cause it's so rude of us. Regardless, they have always been super gracious to us. I am not a fish connoisseur, but I have always found the fish to be very fresh at Sakana. I love that my wife and I can eat here late almost any night. Every other cruddy restaurant in our area closes early. It drive me and my wife crazy. I'm SOOOOOOOOO sick of diner food which is our other late night fall back option. |
I'm Only Sleeping
Citizen
Username: Imonlysleeping
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 1:51 pm: |
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Alley, Carribean Cuisine is open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays (9pm during the week). A better quick meal in the M/SO area you will not find. |
Newstead
Citizen
Username: Newstead77
Post Number: 18
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 1:56 pm: |
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Just called Sakana - and they are closed on Sundays. Unfortunately, we usually like to have a dinner out on Sunday evenings - which is why we have never made it there. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 822
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 1:58 pm: |
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I'm only: WE LOVE LOVE LOVE Carribean Cuisine. Love it!!!! |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 329
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 2:23 pm: |
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Just a comment on Sakana. I know there are a few posters on these boards who love the place, and that's great. More power to them. But if you are looking for an authentic Japanese experience, this is NOT the place. I have eaten there, and ordered take out from there. To call it a "great" sushi place is, IMHO opinion, very misleading. It's a typical NJ sushi joint.
I'm quite anxious to try Ariyoshi but will give them a few weeks before doing so. I'm also very curious as to where they get their fish from, and how often it is delivered. Will certainly ask those questions, and post a review, once I've eaten there. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 823
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 3:09 pm: |
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Yoss: OK, you might be right. It might not be an authentic Japanese experience but I don't really EVER WANT THAT. EVER. NEVER EVER. I went to Japan, I've had an "authentic" Japanese experience. Big whoopdie. I want good food in a pleasant environment with good service. I get that TIME AND TIME AGAIN at Sakana. That's enough for me. As for it being a "typical NJ sushi joint", I wish that were true. By that, I mean that I wish I enjoyed my Japanese food as much at different NJ establishments. I don't, so I continue to go to Sakana. Different strokes for different folks. I'm cool with that. This area is big enough to support more than one good Japanese restaurant. I personally like the competition. We all win in the end. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3759
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 3:13 pm: |
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I never get the whole "it's not authentic" arguement. Can't I like mexican/japanese/chinese food even if it isn't "authentic"? I like what I like! |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2948
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 3:23 pm: |
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After a few recent taste tests, we have decided we prefer Sakana over Samurai in Maplewood (unfortunately, for the convenience) but it's still ok. Doesn't rock our world like some of the places in the city. Too bad we rarely ever get in for dinner. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 331
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 3:40 pm: |
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AlleyG --
From your post you seem adamant that you don't want an authentic experience. That's fine, like you say, different strokes. But can you please explain why you wouldn't want the authentic?
Algebra --
You are free to like what you want. But the point is, most of the time, the authentic is much better. Authentic restaurants present the food as it is intended in the native land, not some Americanized version. Why is that so hard to understand?
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I'm Only Sleeping
Citizen
Username: Imonlysleeping
Post Number: 13
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:07 pm: |
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Authentic Japanese sushi is much smaller than most American sushi and they don't really eat rolls. Personally, I like my sushi a little bigger and I like rolls. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3761
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:18 pm: |
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I like the rolls too. I don't like sushi. I like teriaki chicken and tempura (but only sweet potato tempura). I like the green salad and I always ask for a fork. Sometimes authentic IS better, certainly. But that is not a rule! I don't get why that's so hard to understand. We all have different taste -- call mine American Fusion cuisine? |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 332
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:21 pm: |
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Sleeping --
What's interesting is that many sushi places in Japan have started serving much larger pieces. I was shocked to see the size of the fish on my last visit. Could be a bit of Americana making its way into Japanese cuisine, or people wanting to get more for their money in the tough Japanese economy.
But in any case, you're right. Traditional Japanese sushi features small pieces of fish so that it can be eaten in one mouthful.
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SO Refugee
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 726
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:23 pm: |
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Go to Tulsa and try to get an "authentic" bagel.
Go to Duluth, MN and try to get "authentic" creole.
Go to Nyack, NY and look for "authentic" soul food.
People would argue that Sylvia's in Harlem isn't "authentic" soul food because it is foreign to their experience with it in say, the deep south; however, though I've never eaten at Sylvia's, I hear the food is pretty damn good. The atmosphere of a restaurant plays little part in the "taste" of the food. It may alter the experience, but, really, are you expecting to feel like you're in Japan eating sushi in SO? I've been in foreign countries where the ambiance was local and the food sucked. Isn't that the most important factor in a restaurant?
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Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 333
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:23 pm: |
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Algebra -- Ever try pumpkin tempura? |
I'm Only Sleeping
Citizen
Username: Imonlysleeping
Post Number: 14
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:23 pm: |
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I don't think there's much of a relationship between authenticity and quality. There are good authentic restaurants and bad ones. There are good 'inauthentic' restaurants and bad ones. Is Nobu less good because of its heavy Peruvian influence? Not hardly. Judging a restaurant on its authenticity seems like a waste of time and a good way to miss out on a lot of good food. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3762
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:28 pm: |
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Sounds good. I never had tempura until a few years ago. I love pumpkin. I just called hubby and requested japanese for dinner after reading all this. Anyone know if there's a good japanese place in Livingston? |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 334
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:31 pm: |
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Refugee --
Who's talking about ambiance? I for one don't care about ambiance. I care how the food is prepared and how it tastes. I've eaten sushi all over the world, and you know what? The best I've ever had was in NYC, with a place in Tokyo coming in a close second. And some of the worst I've had was in Osaka.
With sushi the skill of the chef and the source of the fish (as well as the day of the week you eat there) are critical. Ambiance doesn't mean jack. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 829
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:40 pm: |
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Yoss: I too like rolls. I also like creativity in my food. And when I go to California and there they are making extremely interesting parings of ingredients in their sushi and rolls, I think to myself DAMN THIS IS GOOD and WHO NEEDS AUTHENTIC. I am also NOT a fan of pomp and circumstance, which in restaurants is usually just a stupid way to make the place seem elitist so they can charge more money for the food. Do authentic Japanese places do that...? Yeah, sometimes. Does that answer it for you? |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 335
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 4:48 pm: |
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AllyG --
Not sure if that answers it for me, but really, to each his own. I will say, though, that there's certainly plenty of room for creativity in what I would call authentic or traditional sushi. |
SO Refugee
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 730
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 5:03 pm: |
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My bad!
I haven't had "authentic" southern barbecue since I left the south; but, have learned to enjoy the Portuguese version. Everyone has their own tastes, but, sometimes, I feel the restaurants feel they will appeal to a broader audience if they "americanize" the food, e.g. when Chinese restaurants make their food less spicy and add heavy sauces than they would for themselves. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 832
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 5:40 pm: |
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Well once you start throwing in macadamia nuts, coconut, jalapenos and lots of other strange ingredients then the sushi is NOT authentic or traditional. |
I'm Only Sleeping
Citizen
Username: Imonlysleeping
Post Number: 15
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 5:52 pm: |
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I'm not sure how much most people (myself included) would enjoy truly authentic Chinese food. Their favorite texture seems to be slimy, and they particularly enjoy delicacies like chicken feet, rooster combs and beef tendon. I'm not against trying those things (I have), but when it comes down to it I'd really rather have a very high-quality Americanized version of Chinese food than the real deal.
This isn't true of all cuisines, obviously. The 'authentic' Thai food served at the Queens restaurant Sripraphai is vastly better (and pretty different from) any other Thai food I've had.
There's a really interesting story in the new Gourmet about three of China's top chef's on their first trip to the U.S. having a meal at the French Laundry (which is considered by many to be the country's best restaurant). They basically hated everything they had, finding much of it downright inedible. |
Kyle Trama
Citizen
Username: Kyletrama
Post Number: 17
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 10:43 pm: |
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I'll check that place out. I love Japanese food and the culture. |
Suzanne Ng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 422
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 10:58 pm: |
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Alg -
A bit late now, but how about Zen in the Pathmark Shopping Center at Livingston Circle? |
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