Gene's Getting Hooked on Sushi

Top was the Hard Rock Roll with eel, cream cheese, and avocado.  Bottom is the Kissy Kissy roll with salmon, cream cheese, avocado, and crab.

Starting 12 o'clock and going clockwise:  Tuna roll, Spicy crab roll, Rock shrimp tempura roll, California roll.

So when the pot roast thing didn't work out the way I'd planned Sunday night and Corbin and Jennifer called to see if we wanted to go to Umi real quick before the Soprano's finale--we jumped. It was good to see them.  They're talking about getting married sometime in the nearish future and are starting to look at houses, somewhere they can be comfortable and have plenty of room for her daughter and Corbin's two daughters from his marriage to She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.  We're very excited for them. They both deserve love and happiness and a partner they can depend on.

I was a little worried about Gene at Umi because he's not a big sushi eater but I knew he could order Teppan and be fine. He loves the hibachi style seafood.  But he was game and threw in with us on the sushi. They were all game in that they trusted me with the sushi pencil and let me order for everyone. I'm the only one who'd been to Umi before and Auntie Miranda and I have pretty much covered the menu and found our favorites.

I was so proud of Gene. I know that sounds sort of patronizing but I don't mean it that way.  It's just sushi is not his normal food milieu.  Sushi is one of those things that before you eat it, you're either grossed out or intrigued.  Then after you have it a few times it seems almost addictive. Seriously.  Gene was game to try everything, EVERYTHING, except the spicy crab and that's only because he doesn't like hot food.  He decided his favorites were the eel roll, the tuna roll (raw!), the shrimp tempura roll (told him he'd like that one), and the basic California roll.  To be honest, I thought he'd only like the California and Shrimp Tempura rolls but he chowed down on it all including the salmon and tuna rolls knowing there was raw fish in them and the eel roll knowing it was eel.  He said he liked everything, especially with the seafood sauce but not so much with the soy/wasabi mix. Fair enough.

I have got to learn to make this stuff. I really need to have a party, have all the ingredients prepared and let eveyone help roll whatever they're in the mood to eat.

Comments

[Susan P]

Where is Umi's? I know you are busy and everything, but I think you should write for 417 mag. The last restaurant review I read in there was like something I would have read in freshman English class with Pat Owens.(Yes, she was a teacher before a photographer)

[Tanna]

That is just beautiful Glenna!!

[sher]

That is beautiful--if I wasn't so depressed I would want a big plate of it right now.

[Cynthia]

Lovely pics Glenna. Yeeeeeah, Gene tried sushi and enjoyed it. I had sushi only a couple of times but I would like to try it more, with an experienced eater of this fare, such as yourself Glenna. I don't have any friends that are game :( and besides we only have one Japanese restaurant over here. Whenever I have had sushi has been whilst visiting the US.

[Glenna]

Susan--Thanks for the compliment. I'd LOVE to write for 417. Hell, I'd love to write for anyone willing to cut me a check, but food reviews in particular would be an incredibly fun way to earn a living.

Umi's is just off Battlefield on the same street (have no idea what its name is) that Cowden Elementary school is on. It's basically right behind Buffalo Wild Wings (in the same strip mall with FISH) but it faces that other street instead of Battlefield.

It's my favorite. I loved the place downtown on Walnut (can't remember the name) that we went to all the time when I was in respiratory school but then I found Sakura. Then I ditched Sakura for Umi's. I love their food and their interior so much more than any other in town and, funny, that's the reaction of everyone I take there.

Try it out and let me know what you think.

Tanna--Thanks. They really do have both the taste and the presentation down to an art form, plus like I said, I love the interiors too. It's very comfortable and pretty on the inside without being a cliche.

Sher--I wish I could take you there and feed you a big plate along with a big tall caraffe of sake and lift your spirits.

Cynthia--You tell me when and I'll pick you up at the airport, okay?

[Deborah Dowd]

I have been wanting to try my own sushi too! It doesn't look that hard and you don't need that much of the more exotic ingredients. I made a recipe once that was a salad based on the California roll and it was a big hit, all I need is the little mats and I'd be in business!

[Glenna]

Deborah--the salad sounds good! I've done it twice now and it really isn't hard at all. The problem is that with only 2 people at our house eating dinner it's difficult to get any practice. So I'm thinking about having a dinner party where I can make more rolls than just 2 o 3.