Always leaves you wanting more...

Cupcakes are a huge craze these days. With the new shows on Food Network and TLC all solely dedicated to cupcakes, it is hard to resist getting sucked into the evilness that is cupcakes. The sinfully fattening frosting on top of a buttery, rich, decadent piece of cake is absolutely addicting and always leaves you wanting more....

I've never really been into cupcakes, I really don't like pastries at all (I'm a strange one I know)- but after going to Vanilla cupcake this Wednesday with Ryan and Anupama, I have been converted. After a nice lunch/dinner at Pizza Sola on Penn Avenue, we stopped by next door to Vanilla Cupcake to get a nice piece of dessert.

Walking into Vanilla Cupcake, the pastel walls and decor were a bit overwhelming and girly but I was soon distracted by the little morsels of heaven. With cupcake flavors ranging from chocolate fudge to vanilla caramel, it was hard to choose which one to get and honestly, me and Pama were about to get more than 1 (until Ryan unknowingly dragged us away). This time, we all got the Vanilla Caramel cupcake and ate it in our infamous finance class- it was simply heaven.

Ryan devoured it within, i'd say, 2.5 seconds and I found myself really upset when I took my last bite. We sat through our 3 hour class whining about how we wanted another one. Best/worst idea ever? The frosting was creamy and delicious while the actual cake was light and fluffy. I was really impressed by how delicious this cupcake was and how different it is from Dozen cupcakes.

Dozen cupcakes, another cupcake store in Pittsburgh (located in Squirrel Hill) also has great flavors, which I feel is more complex than Vanilla. Dozen is also great, and I got a cupcake there with Eric for my birthday. However, after going to Vanilla, I feel like the simple flavors with the light pound cake is far more superior than the complex, rich and heavy cakes baked by Dozen.

Both cupcake shops were good, but Vanilla was better (that was just for Eric). I can't wait to return to Vanilla for another cupcake- perhaps I can convince Ryan and Pama to go again tomorrow?

I can't wait to go back!

Sunday morning is one of Eric's favorite time of day- because that's when brunch is served! Like I mentioned in my previous post- I'm not a huge breakfast person and so brunch is the perfect meal for me!

This past Sunday, Eric and I decided to go to Coco Cafe with a few of our friends, Stephanie and John (Pringle). Located on Butler Street, Coco Cafe is hard to miss as there is a crowd of people waiting outside this small restaurant while the surrounding neighborhood is bare and empty.

After our (well worth) 45 minute wait, we were finally seated and were very excited! We first started off with some fresh juice (Eric and John got the orange while I got the carrot, apple, lemon) and placed our orders.

I got the Lobster Benedict, Eric got the Peach French Toast, John got the Smoked Salmon omelet and Stephanie got the Challah French Toast. Our food was delicious. My eggs were perfectly poached and I got a good amount of lobster. The dish was not soaked with the hollandaise sauce which I was very grateful for- and the flavors combined wonderfully. John's omelet was also great- as he was kind enough to let me have a bite. The entire omelet took on the flavor of the salmon and was really great.

The french toast was good- but I would say me and John's dishes were better. The Challah French Toast was good but I wish it took on more of a brie flavor- the same with the Peach French Toast.

The food at Coco Cafe is really great and I could definitely tell that they use fresh fruits and ingredients in their dishes. What really was disappointing was their service. The service wasn't awful but they did forget to get me a menu, to put in Steph's smoothie order (she got the smoothie when we were practically done with our meal) and they weren't as attentive as they could be. The staff was nice- they just weren't efficient and organized.

All in all, I really liked Coco Cafe, and I will definitely be returning. The food combinations are very unique and different and I would love to try more things on their menu. The prices are also reasonable (if you're not ordering off the specials menu- or getting their special juices) and I hope that the service does get better. I am very excited to have found a new brunch place and can't wait to go back!

Overwhelmingly welcoming!

So this past weekend I got to reunite with Eric! Eric was nice enough to come down for my birthday and we spent a great weekend together kayaking on the river, spending time with the pup, gambling and of course- enjoying good food!

This weekend, we went to dinner at Lidia's, located in the Strip on Smallman Street. I pass by Lidia's quite often and never thought that it would be as nice as it was! Eric has been there before and he thought it would be a nice place to take me for a casual (but nice) dinner- and boy am I happy he did!

Blending in with the neighboring warehouses, Lidia's from the outside does not look like anything special or unique. In fact, I was a bit skeptical when Eric said he was going to take me there for my birthday. Upon entering, my skepticism quickly disappeared as the warm decor and friendly staff was overwhelmingly welcoming!

The menu was filled with delicious options and Eric convinced me to get the almond pesto spaghetti with fried calamari and shrimp while he got the wild boar ravioli. Both dishes were delicious- and large.

I also had a bowl of their soup of the day (summer vegetable) and it was warm and hearty and perfectly seasoned. Eric got their Arugula salad which had crisp pears and we all know how much he likes pears!

The food was great and the portions were big and I really enjoyed spending time there. We saw a couple of people on dates but we also saw families enjoying a nice family dinner! Some were dressed up, and some were dressed casually and so you can enjoy Lidia's for basically any occasion!

What we liked best about Lidia's is their prices! We were quite surprised when we got the bill, and were pleasantly pleased by the quality of food/service we got for the very reasonable price. Lidia's is great for any occasion- casual meal or fancy date. I will definitely be returning when my pasta cravings return (which won't be very long at all) and hope to try more things on their menu (Lobster risotto?).

Call me a glutton

Call me a glutton, but I love chef tasting menus. Although a bit pricey, I feel that for the price and the food you get, the chef tasting menu is the best way to go if you are looking to try an assortment of dishes at a particularly good restaurant.

The most memorable chef tasting menu that me and Eric had together was definitely at nine on nine, located downtown on Penn Avenue. Only two blocks away from where I live, I really should go to nine on nine more often (if I had the money, that is).


Now I say that nine on nine was the most memorable experience I have had for a chef's tasting menu for a few reasons. First, Eric brought me there for Valentine's Day and it is definitely romantic and is a perfect setting for a nice date. Second, this was very close to my surgery date (I had surgery the week after) so again, the pain/pain medication was most definitely memorable :). Third, I was stuffed after the first two courses (again, thank you infection) but the food was so good I couldn't stop eating (through the pain). What a night!

The eclectic menu filled with interesting combinations of flavors and ingredients from different cuisines is overwhelming- but in a good way. Thank goodness Eric got me the chef's tasting menu so I didn't have to choose! A 6 course tasting menu, we got a variety of samplings off of the menu, and to my surprise it was all the dishes that I was eyeing!

Since the menu changes often, our tasting menu we got will be different from what you get!

We started off with a watercress soup topped off with escargot and lemon oil, followed by prime strip steak with baby bok choy, then wild mushroom risotto with lobster and truffles, and ending with some chocolate cake. There were two floating dishes somewhere, but those were obviously the most memorable and the best ones!

Everything was really good, and I wish I wasn't sick so I could have truly enjoyed the experience! Thanks again to my great boyfriend for such a memorable experience!

Nine on nine is a great restaurant located in a great location. Although it is downtown, you don't have to worry too much about parking as there is a parking lot across the street that is very convenient. Check out its Facebook page for more information and updates on their menu!

Why is he so picky?!

So last night, I attempted to make spam musubi because I was craving carbs (surprise surprise). To my surprise, I realized last minute that I ran out of nori! Boo! So this morning I went down to the strip to grab a package of nori at Oriental Market when I passed by Kaya and got a craving for their delicious Paella! Yum!

Kaya, another Big Burrito restaurant prides itself on serving great island cuisine. Located on the Strip on Smallman Street, Kaya is a great place to grab lunch/dinner and drinks!


Like I said, Kaya makes the best Paella. Mixed with spicy sausage and seafood, the paella definitely has a kick and is enough for two meals! I always end up having leftovers, and it's just as good the next day.

Walking around the strip one day, Eric was intrigued by Kaya's lunch menu when he saw that there were conch fritters on the menu- and he knew that we had to go in. Naturally, I got the paella while he got the pulled porked quesadillas and we both shared the conch fritter appetizers.

Reminiscing about the Bahamas and the great conch you can get there, Eric was not pleased with Kaya's fritters. I too, didn't think it was that special as there was barely any conch and just a lot of other stuffing- I got one fritter with no conch in it! Eric claimed that his quesadilla wasn't anything special and he didn't like the spiciness of the dish. My paella, however, was delicious.

We were impressed by the inside decor (and bar) as Kaya from the outside looks plain and can easily blend in with the asian markets next door! Eric was not impressed by all the spice in their dishes!

All in all, we had an OK experience at Kaya. Like I said, the dishes do pack a lot of punch and it isn't for those who don't like that spice. I am pretty sure I will return again with my friends who love the place and can't get enough spicy foods in their system. However, with Eric- it is doubtful- why is he so picky!!?

What is the lesson of the day?

I move back to New York in a month! This means 2 things: First, I need to make sure I write as much as I can about my restaurant experiences within this month (although I will be making occasional visits to Pittsburgh to visit Eric) AND I get to see my family and friends that live in NY! woot!

It is quite convenient how I have all of my good friends in New York (or close to it). In addition to my big and a few other Thetas, it seems like most of my brothers will be in New York as well! As I reminisce tonight instead of studying for my Health IT Quiz like I should be, I think about all the great times I've had back in school with everybody- especially when I was on my percocet! (Not that I really remember)

I feel like my pre-surgery woes were not only shared by my caring boyfriend- but also his roommate (and my good friend) Shaman. The three of us truly had some unique times together, and I think the one memorable food experience was when we went to Sun Penang located on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill.


Sun Penang is a Malaysian restaurant- that may be a bit overpriced, but has wonderful, tasty dishes that can satisfy those who are looking for something more flavorful than Thai food! As you know, I love introducing Eric to new and exotic flavors-so you can imagine my excitement when I heard that Shaman also has never had Malaysian!

What stole the show? The Roti Canai. Roti Canai is an appetizer dish that is a thin, crispy indian style pancake that is served with a curry chicken dipping sauce. Going to a lot of Malaysian restaurants back in New York, I can proudly say that this appetizer was just as good here- and Shaman and Eric I can say would agree! After finishing the appetizer and receiving our entrees, both Eric and Shaman requested a separate order for just the dipping sauce so they could drench their entrees with it.

I've brought a few friends to Sun Penang and some don't seem to be TOO impressed, but I definitely like their flavors and cuisine better than Thai. More similar to Burmese cuisine, Malaysian has more spice and stronger flavors that I really enjoy- but I guess you have to be used to it. My usual entrees are the Char Kway Teow (if I'm in the mood for something hearty) or the Hainanese Chicken (if I want something more light)- both are delicious!

If there is one thing you SHOULD NOT get at Sun Penang, it would be their dim sum. I have yet to find a decent place in Pittsburgh that serves good dim sum, and Sun Penang is no exception. Stick with their traditional Malaysian dishes for sure.

What is the lesson of the day? The Roti Canai rocks. Oh, and you can't walk straight on pain medication.

Great for your tummy and your wallet!

Bertha has returned. Who is Bertha you ask? Bertha is my food child- and after dinner at Chaya and some wonderful dessert from Razzy Fresh, she is back.


Today, Risa, Pama and I decided to go down to Squirrel Hill and enjoy some great sushi at Chaya. The meal was great and we were very satisfied- and to top it off we went to Razzy Fresh for some yummy dessert!

Razzy Fresh is a frozen yogurt shop located on Murray Avenue. After going there once, I was hooked and never thought about Pinkberry ever again. Only employing, what it seems like one employee, Razzy Fresh is an ingenious idea where the frozen yogurt and toppings are self serve. Without needing the extra labor, the one employee is at the register waiting to weigh your cup! Priced by how much your serving of fro-yo weighs, you can put as much toppings/yogurt as you want! There are a variety of toppings and flavors and unlike Pinkberry you can mix and match as many flavors of fro-yo and toppings!

The best part of Razzy Fresh is their variety of flavors. Changing everyday, their flavors are all great and I always find myself having a hard time choosing! I usually get their Taro flavor mixed with their Mango- yummy! A lot cheaper than any other frozen yogurt shop I've been to, not only is Razzy Fresh great for your tummy but it's also great on your wallet!

If you're craving something sweet and don't want the extra calories from Coldstone at the corner, stop by Razzy Fresh for a quick treat in this sweltering weather!

Shadygrove actually served food!

Jess is back! So of course, we celebrate the only way we know how- food! This evening we went to Shadygrove to get a quick bite and catch up. Located in Shadyside on Walnut Street, Shadygrove is a frequent visited site at night. Most popular for its bar (and its convenient location right next to William Penn Tavern), it was a surprise to me when I found out that Shadygrove actually served food.

The menu for Shadygrove is pretty simple, consisting of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Nothing too special or spectacular really. Today I got the California BLT with french onion soup on the side while Jess got a portabella burger with fries. The best part of the BLT was that it had avocado in it- but it ended up being guacamole and not actual chunks of avocado (boo). The french onion soup was warm and tasty but was probably not the right choice in this weather! Jess also claimed the portabella burger to be delicious.

BLT with french onion soup

Portabella burger

As for the rest of the menu, the seared ahi tuna was good- I regret that I didn't get that tonight actually. But besdies that- I'd skip the meal and just go for the drinks :)

Shadygrove attracts a diverse group of individuals. Tonight me and Jess were seated next to a very loud table of 6 girls and 1 guy and were barely able to have a conversation with each other. I wouldn't recommend Shadygrove for a date night and expect to get to know anybody in that setting. The server isn't really on her game as she couldn't even keep track of what me and Jess ordered-but you may be able to help the hostess with some algebra (Sundar and Shaman)!

With outside seating available, and reasonable prices, Shadygrove is ideal for a convenient lunch with an old friend. Perhaps sitting outside for lunch would be more peaceful than sitting inside for dinner?

I guess this will do for now.

So as you know, my parents were born and raised in Burma. Although we are Chinese, Burmese cuisine and culture is very much a large part of our daily lives, especially the food. There is something about Burmese food that is indescribable- in fact I like it a lot better than Chinese food. I think that it is very hard to find someone who does not like Burmese cuisine once they've tried it. Even Eric- the all American blonde haired white boy likes it!

So naturally, when I heard that there was a Burmese restaurant in Pittsburgh, I was ecstatic, and couldn't wait to try it. In fact, I called my parents to let them know, and surprisingly the owners of Spice Island Tea House (located on Atwood in Oakland) were family friends!

So I sort of feel bad writing this review. Oops.

Ok, so Spice Island Tea house is not bad, it just isn't my mom's cooking. My friends all love it, but for me it's hard to judge since I am so used to good quality Burmese food. So I apologize for this biased review- but I can't help it!

Upon walking in, the decor gives you the feeling that you just walked into a home in a Burmese village. To a pleasant surprise, their extensive menu had dishes not only from Burmese cuisine but from other South East Asia locations! Their menu is quite long and you will soon find that it is hard to choose from. Although you perhaps should keep in mind that the owners are from Burma.

The first time I went, I got the Gutgyi Gut, Southern Burmese noodles. Covered with their spicy vinaigrette sauce, its flavors were very mild and delicious. My friend got the same and he loved it- I just thought it was (in the words of Eric) eh. When I went back with my family, excited to show them this new restaurant- they too found that the food was not nearly as good as what they would make at home.

HOWEVER, this is not to say that you should not go to Spice Island Tea House. Since my family does not own a restaurant and only a select few can enjoy their cooking- Spice Island Tea House is a must if you want to learn more about Burmese cuisine and sample the different tastes and mixtures of spices that Burmese cuisine most often incorporate. The food has lots of flavor- which goes for all Burmese dishes- so definitely stop by, it is a unique cuisine for sure.

What are traditional Burmese dishes? Try the Mohinga- a staple in Burma- it can be eaten at every meal. It's a noodle soup with a flavorful broth that will warm you up from the inside. My favorite Burmese dish (probably Eric's too) is the Ono Kowsway- chicken noodle soup done burmese style-delicious. Of course, nothing can compare to my mom's cooking- but I guess this will do for now.

I usually don't remember the nights

Watching the Hills marathon I have learned that Heidi and Spencer's favorite Mexican restaurant, Don Antonio's has a special seat reserved for them when they get there! I wish Mad Mex had the same deal- maybe if I got 'Hs for Heidi'?

Ok, enough with the Hills. Another Big Burrito post! Mad Mex is the more casual pick of the big burrito restaurants and has great mexican food- for a great price! The first time I went to Mad Mex, it was during their half price time, and I was amazed by the amount of food you get with the deal.

Half price is something that I have never experienced or even heard of until getting to Pittsburgh, and it is very popular among students. Many restaurants in Oakland and other random locations offer a half price menu where a select part of their menu can be ordered for half the price! What a deal!

Mad Mex located in Oakland right on Atwood, is the staple for half price- especially because you can get half priced Big Azz Margaritas! The food is good and all but the margaritas are the best part. You can order the margaritas in a variety of flavors (and with an extra tequila shot if you are stupid/smart enough) and they are simply delicious, or at least I think they are- funny, I usually don't remember the nights when I DO have a big azz margarita. :)

As for the food, you can get tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas- basically all the normal mexican dishes available at any mexican restaurant. They too, have a good variety for vegetarians and you can always opt out to make your dish vegetarian friendly! My most favorite thing at Mad Mex is most definitely the black bean dip. Warm and baked right out of the oven with a layer of melted cheese on top, the black bean dip is the perfect appetizer and is the ultimate comfort dish when you are getting slightly tipsy from your margarita. A bit spicy, it is not your usual run of the mill bean dip!

Mad Mex is a great place to stop by when you are looking for some great mexican food- although everyone else also seems to think so- so be prepared for a loooooong wait. If you are looking for a nice bar to stop by after work, some discounted food and drinks and a fun night of dangerous encounters down in the streets, Mad Mex is the place to be!

Best midnight snack

Wow. I really don't take advantage of living downtown- at all. Downtown is filled with restaurants and they are all minutes away from where I live! Most of the time, Eric is nice enough to take me out for fancy dates to these places.. OR we both are just hungry and thought we'd go to a nice steak house for our midnight cravings haha...

Ok, so usually Capital Grille is a great place to go with your significant other or family for a nice dinner. Eric and I were hungry one night and since everything in Pittsburgh closes at 10pm, it was hard to find something opened at 11pm. We drove around and found that Capital Grille-although the kitchen was closed- was willing to seat us (and had valet parking). So there we were!


Located on Fifth Avenue right in the heart of downtown, I've been to Capital Grille on several occasions and even went to a few outside of Pittsburgh! A nice chain steakhouse (oxymoron?) Capital Grille is perfect for an intimate date and has so many yummy things on the menu! Although Eric is a huge steak enthusiast, I personally am not a big steak fan- but I was still able to stuff myself with delicious items! I also took my dad here for his birthday- also a huge steak fan and he loved it!

First off, lets start with the appetizer. The Pan Fried Calamari is delicious. As an asian, I eat fried calamari very often- I eat it all the time when I am in New York. I got this with my parents and they too were pleased with this dish. Tossed with hot cherry peppers, the calamari definitely had a tangy and spicy kick that is not for the spice adverse! Being very comfortable with high heat, I found the calamari very spicy as did my (burmese) parents. According to my parents, the spicier the food the better, so they loved it.

As for our main entrees/side dishes the parmesean truffle fries were by far the best side dish ever. Everytime I've been to the Capital Grille, this is the one thing that I never fail to order. If you are a big truffle fan, you will absolutely love this side dish- the aroma of the truffle oil on the fries is the most wonderful thing you can ever experience, seriously. The lobster mac and cheese is creamy and rich but id nothing to out of the ordinary and didn't have a lot of lobster.

Usually, you can find steakhouses that also have good seafood in addition to their steaks but I think Capital Grille lacks in that area. The lobster is good but the steaks are better (obviously). The lobster seemed to be very overpriced for what you get, the cedar planked salmon lacked flavor and was overcooked. The steaks that I got on a few occasions were a lot better than any of the seafood entree. Eric/my dad enjoyed the steaks but they did say that they have had better. Basically- its the side dishes and appetizers that won me over- the main entrees were lackluster.

Capital Grille is great if you are a huge wine enthusiast as their wine room is as big as the restaurant and their wine list is longer than their actual menu. I personally didn't try the wine- but that is something I would definitely do when/if I return.

If I did go to Capital Grille again, I think I'd stick with the appetizers (definitely the truffle fries) and side dishes to be honest and stuff myself on various dishes rather than on an expensive entree.

Better than any ketchup!

So I thought I'd take advantage of going to Udipi this weekend with Pama and a few other friends. Eric is still in California and so I knew that going to get some South Indian Cuisine this weekend would be the perfect time. Pama has been raving about Udipi all semester and we promised that we'd go with each other one day- well today was the day! Udipi is a small little restaurant that serves great South Indian food and is located near the Sri Venkateswara Temple. This is my first time eating South Indian food- as I am used to the more available, well known North Indian cuisine, and I loved it!

First arriving to the restaurant I was a bit surprised/confused about the location. Located right off the Old William Penn highway (literally), Udipi from the outside looks like a large abandoned trailer home. However, stepping inside, the place is bustling with activity. You KNOW that Udipi has to be good as the place was FILLED with people.

Not familiar with the type of foods, Pama was nice enough to order for me. As an appetizer we got fried idli. Idli is made from rice and lentils- the idli batter was fried and was simply delicious! Sort of like a french fry, it was paired with mint and tamarind chutney which is WAY better than any ketchup (Yes, even Heinz). The mint chutney is refreshing while the tamarind is sweet and tangy. What a great appetizer!

Fried Idli

For our entrees, Pama got the vegetarian uttapam while I got dosa filled with potatoes. Uttapam is a a rice pancake that has a starchy consistency and is cooked with different vegetables. You can think of it as an Indian frittata. Dosa is a flat crepe-like pancake that is filled with different stuffings. Both dishes came with a coconut chutney and sambar- a vegetable stew.

The dishes were bursting with new and exotic flavors. I was surprised at how much I liked the food and how different south indian cuisine can be from north indian. Not too heavy or creamy, the food was wonderfully flavored with subtle hints of spices.

Dosa



Uttapam

I really enjoyed going to Udipi, and I'm so happy that Pama took me here. If you are looking for good service- this is not the place to do so. You essentially are sacrificing good service (any service actually) for the authentic cuisine. I definitely enjoyed the food and really am happy to experience a new type of cuisine! Thanks Pama!

Who says you can't have flavor without being healthy!

As I sit here eating my Thai left overs from Green Mango, I am inspired to write a post about this great Thai restaurant! My boss loves Thai food and she told me that this was her favorite place- and I can see why!

What most impressed me about Green Mango (and what I liked best) is that their food leaves you feeling good- no, great! Usually when I get Thai food, I leave feeling full and sickly and bad about myself because I just ate 5000 calories. The greasy feeling is never appealing, and is the worst feeling after a meal. However, with Green Mango this is quite the opposite. You get great dishes, full of flavor with the healthy options and varieties. Who says you can't have flavor without being healthy!

Green Mango has two different locations, one located on South Braddock Avenue and the other on William Penn Highway. We (my mother and I) went to the South Braddock Avenue location and we almost missed it! Blending in with the surrounding buildings and restaurants, from the outside, Green Mango doesn't look very distinguishable. However, after stepping in, you feel like you have just walked into a restaurant in Thailand, where the Emperor and Empress are proudly displayed on their wall- as all places in Thailand do.

The dishes at Green Mango are surprisingly filling yet doesn't leave you with that greasy, guilty feeling- which is great. Full of flavor, the Pad See Eu and curries were a must on their menu. Of course, I also got a Thai Iced Tea- it was a bit sweeter than normal- but still very delicious!

Thai Iced Tea- of course!

Spring Rolls appetizer

Yellow Curry with Chicken

Green Mango is great for vegetarians. Their vegetables are fresh and crisp and the vegetarian option is available for all dishes. I also hear that the Tofu with Basil and King Tofu (although I didn't personally try it) is a wonderful and tasty vegetarian option as well. If you are looking for some great Thai food, definitely stop by Green Mango for some healthy, flavorful food- you won't regret it!

Samples were delicious at least...?

So as you know, I'm a huge sushi fan. HUGE. And like I said before in my post about Chaya, me and Eric love going to different sushi places and trying them out.

Well, first let me say that this is not going to be a happy review. I'm sorry but me and Eric did NOT like our Andy's sushi from Wholey's in the Strip. So we know people swear by it and love Andy- and yes we can see why. He's awesome and gave us free samples while we waited to order and the samples were surprisingly very good. BUT, the sushi that we ordered was nearly inedible.

Andy's is a small sushi take out place that is located inside Wholey's. My friend Josh loves it here and he loves that Andy found such a unique place to get the freshest fish in Pittsburgh! It's usually just Andy there, pounding out rolls and rolls of sushi at such a quick pace- its quite incredible! The line is usually really long and there is quite a wait as its only Andy manning the area.

So we wait in line, and got samples of Toro and other fish which were all delicious. We were excited about the prices and the freshness of the fish and couldn't wait to order our mounds of sushi. As always, Eric got his soft shell crab roll while I got various types of rolls and nigiri. We went upstairs, ready to enjoy our plentiful sushi and to our surprise- the sushi was NOT good.

The fish smelled, well, fishy and dirty while the toro that we ordered was rubbery! I couldn't bite through it! Perhaps it was the way it was cut and Andy was too busy to realize that he cut it the wrong way but it honestly was the worst toro I've had. I dont remember what rolls I got- but I just remember every single one being so fishy smelling and tough that after two pieces I had to throw my 20+ dollars worth of sushi away. Eric did the same.

Perhaps this is an isolated incident (although I did go back again and had a similar- though not as awful experience) but I highly doubt that I will be going back and wasting my money again. Maybe I will and will have to retract this post- hopefully, but not anytime soon.

Maybe everyone out there has had a different experience, but I did not enjoy it. Sorry Josh!