Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.
One Saturday while Jim and I were doing our usual “Randall Road errands,” we noticed a storefront named Rice Fusion Sushi. Not having a clue as to what it was, we decided to investigate. We saw a menu in the window, and being the trained professionals that we are, but mostly because it was lunch time, we just had to give it a try. It’s a rotten job, but someone has to do it!
When you walk into the vestibule, the first thing you see is a glass partition with Japanese cork art; it’s a beautiful landscape scene. As you walk past the bar toward the dining room, you can’t help but be impressed by their upscale décor.
From the hardwood floors to the ambient lighting by the windows to the softly lit-up pillars near the sushi bar (which seats four people), the owner went all out. This is not what you’d expect from an unassuming strip mall storefront.
Both of us ordered the “lunch box” (Bento Box, my new Japanese word) for $10.95, which consisted of individual compartments for your choice of one of: three appetizers, four entrees, four sushi rolls, and white rice. For a $2 upcharge, you could substitute fried rice. Lunch included Miso soup and a salad with ginger dressing. That’s a lot of food for the Yen, don’t you think?
Nancy had to be difficult and “have it her way.” She asked for two salads since she is not a fan of Miso soup. She selected two Gyozo (potstickers) as her appetizer and the California roll. Now the fun begins…instead of the teriyaki shrimp, she wanted tempura shrimp and vegetables.
Normally the tempura vegetables consist of one piece each of sweet potato, broccoli floret, and asparagus spear. Of course that didn’t make my wifey happy, so she ordered all broccoli florets since that is her favorite veggie.
To our surprise, the waitress didn’t tell her to go into the kitchen and prepare it herself (which a waitress has told her in the past). Instead, she smiled and said, “no problem.”
Jim ordered the Gyoza, the California roll, and the teriyaki beef, which came with snap peas, asparagus, and broccoli. Jim threw caution to the wind and forked out the extra $2 for the fried rice – way to walk on the wild side, Jim!
This restaurant by any other name would still be a hidden gem. The service, food, ambiance, and décor are all top notch. Don’t be swayed by the name; they also offer such things as noodle dishes, Hibachi plates, fried rice entrees, and more traditional Asian fare.
I do have one question. Why don’t Japanese restaurants ever give you a knife with your fork and chopsticks? It would be so much easier and less messy.
FYI: Check out the special board – on our day they had several types of sushi for 50 percent off.
The total bill for our delicious lunchtime outing was – hit the gong please, Jim – $32.76 with two iced teas as our beverage of choice.
He said/she said:
Jim’s take: My teriyaki steak was excellent. The California roll was one of the best I ever had, and as a matter of fact, I ate Nancy’s also. The fried rice was awesome, but I do feel the upcharge should have been only $1. I tasted Nancy’s shrimp tempura, and it was unbelievable!
Nancy’s take: My whole “lunch box” was delicious, even better than delicious–it was fantastic. I love their fried rice; it’s worth the upcharge contrary to what cheapskate Jim believes. They have the best tempura batter I’ve ever eaten. Love the Gyoza’s, hate the California rolls – I feel seaweed should stay in the sea!
The Miso soup was probably good, but I’m convinced that “Miso” is Japanese for dishwater. I’m not a big fan of ginger, but this dressing is awesome. Jim’s teriyaki steak was really good, but you know me, I love my seafood.
Rice Fusion Sushi
25223 N. County Line Road
In Algonquin Commons
Algonquin 60102
(847)658-5233
www.riceasian.com
Directions: Algonquin Commons
diagonally NW from Mimi’s Cafe.
Approximate Travel Time: 15 minutes
