It’s hard to believe that sushi was not as common in the American diet as it is now.
Spurred on by the scene of Molly Ringwald eating the Japanese staple in the 1985 classic movie “The Breakfast Club,” I sought out sushi in my natal Atlanta. There weren’t many places back then, but I found one, and I was promptly confused.
But during the past almost 40 years now, I’ve learned to navigate sushi menus, like many folks, and come to love it along the way.
I’m pretty picky about sushi, at least nothing from a convenience store, please. I’ve certainly got my favorite Japanese restaurants in the region, and Sakura (which means cherry blossom in Japanese) is one of them.
THE EAT: GREENBRIER ROLL, $11.95
Sakura offers both sushi and sashimi, both a la carte and in dinners.
What’s the difference? While seafood is the main ingredient, sushi is traditionally rolled in nori – or a seaweed wrap – and contains vinegared rice, usually around the outside. It’s then cut into bite-sized pieces. Not all sushi contains seafood. Sashimi is thinly sliced seafood, or raw meat, offered as-is.
Of the sushi at Sakura, classic, special, and vegetable rolls are on the bill of fare.
From the special sushi, I picked the Greenbrier Roll. Tucked inside the nori, or seaweed, and blanket of sushi rice, is a good portion of spicy snapper and deep fried salmon. Atop the roll is avocado and spicy crab.
This was a beautiful combination of tastes and textures. The snapper was tender, and the salmon crispy. Both also had distinct seafood flavor profiles, which highly complimented each other. Also complimentary was the spicy crab, bringing its own seafood flavors, and a bit of heat to the party. Rich, creamy avocado was the icing on the cake, literally.
From the vegetable sushi, I selected the Sweet Potato Tempura Roll. This was absolutely delicious, with cuts of the sweet potato lightly dredged and fried in tempura – a thin, highly flavored batter – until tender and crispy. It’s then rolled like a traditional sushi roll and served with a drizzle of a dark soy sauce on top.
It’s very simple, but it’s very tasty. In my sushi adventures, I’ve not seen this roll offered before, but I will be on the lookout for it from now on.
We started the meal with a warming bowl of miso soup, perfect for the day we visited, which had a chill in the air. The broth was flavorful with lots of umami from the miso, a paste from soybeans and other ingredients that is stirred soup. Bits of diced tofu were found throughout.
THE DRINK: HANA AWAKA SPARKLING SAKE
Served perfectly chilled and shows off with a slight effervesce, Hana Awaka Sparkling Flower is a lovely, fruity sake – or rice wine. The offering, from Ozeki, is very approachable, and a nice sake drink for folks who may not like sake otherwise.
Sakura Japanese Restaurant is at 1437 Sams Drive, Chesapeake. Call 757-410-4577 or visit www.SakuraChesapeake.com
THANKSGIVING DINNER OUT AND ABOUT
Many restaurants close on major holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, but others open for folks who may not have other plans.
Throughout the years, I’ve made big Thanksgiving dinners for family and friends, and I have attended suppers at others houses. But sometimes, especially when the party is small or folks are traveling from some distance, it’s nice to have a holiday meal out.
Here’s some Chesapeake and other regional restaurants open on Thanksgiving that have been favorites of mine at varying times throughout the year. This by no means is a complete list of restaurants serving that day, just some recommendations. If one of your favorites isn’t listed, reach out to them to see if they are open on the holiday or not.
Many restaurants offer special Thanksgiving day menus in addition to, or in place of, their regular bill of fare.
Be sure to make reservations as early as you can so you won’t be disappointed, and by all means, if you have to cancel, do so as soon as possible so the restaurant can offer your table to someone else.
Also keep in mind that one thing to be thankful for are our locally owned restaurants and the staff that helps us enjoy our meals out. Keep the staff in mind when dining out during the holidays when deciding how to tip.
CHESAPEAKE
Black Pelican
Seafood
1625 Ring Road, Chesapeake
Call 757-424-3171 or visit www.BlackPelicanGreenbrier.com
The Butcher’s Son
Steakhouse
500 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake
Call 757-410-5466 or visit www.ButcherSon.com
NORFOLK
Todd Jurich’s Bistro
New American cuisine
150 W Main St., Norfolk
Call 757-622-3210 or visit www.ToddJurichsBistro.com
VIRGINIA BEACH
Swan Terrace
American cuisine
Inside founders Inn and Spa, 5641 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach
Call 757-366-5777 or visit www.FoundersInn.com
WORTH THE DRIVE
Smithfield Station
American cuisine
415 S. Church St., Smithfield
Call 757-357-7700 or visit www.SmtihfieldStation.com
Patrick Evans-Hylton, PatrickEvansHylton@gmail.com