Art wrote:
> I've lived in Berkeley Heights for a number of years, and this
> location has been some sort of Asian restaurant.. YEARS ago, it was
> "The Great Wall" Chinese restaurant.. at which I had dim sum for the
> first time (I was probably 12 at the time).
>
> Anyway, more recent incarnations were a Japanese/Thai restaurant..
> when that folded, it was a Chinese buffet that was quite good at
> first, then steadily went downhill (and was probably open for a total
> of six months). Then renovations began, and for quite a while, the new
> "EAST" sign was hung, but the restaurant remained dark.
>
> So imagine my surprise when I finally saw this place open this past
> Thursday.. I intended to see if I could stop by and pick up a menu,
> but I didn't bother when I saw the large signs in the window,
> proclaiming "Half price sushi" during lunchtime.
>
> Had to return home to sell some furniture, but called the restaurant
> to see what time they served lunch until.. 3:30.. plenty of time.
>
> So, I arrived at close to 2 pm. I sat by myself, alone, at the sushi
> bar. Before I even ordered, the sushi chef gave me a freebie.. a
> Japanese soup spoon loaded with small chunks of tuna and white tuna
> sashimi, in a citrusy ponzu sauce. Delectable, and off to a good
> start! I tried to engage in conversation.. but we didn't get very
> far.. so I just let him do his thing.
>
> I ordered a la carte from the half price menu, since that was the best
> deal going. What I ordered with impressions:
>
> Nigiris:
>
> Mackerel - Haven't had great saba since I left Boston. Everything down
> here tastes pickled. This wasn't great, either.
>
> Spanish mackerel - on the tough side. Wouldn't order again.
>
> Salmon - very good
>
> White tuna - very good, but hard to go wrong with this. One of my top
> 5.
>
> Hamachi - not the best I've had. Not the worst, either. Didn't have
> much flavor, actually.
>
> Ikura - generous portions of firm, bouncy eggs. Lots of flavor without
> going overboard on the salt.
>
> Rolls:
>
> Spider - decent, but the inclusion of lettuce was a little off-
> putting.
>
> Crunchy spicy salmon - really, really good. My favorite item, I
> believe.
>
> Spicy tuna - one of the better versions I've had.
>
> I drank green tea with my meal. The above was $50 worth of sushi.. but
> of course at half price was $25.00. I asked the manager how long this
> special would run.. he said he didn't know.. maybe indefinitely.
>
> They had uni.. but of course, it wasn't half price. They also had
> natto.. that wasn't half price either.. but at $3.00, I'm going to try
> one when I go back next week!

Hey Art,
Glad to hear from you. Good to hear you're able to get some sushi.
We were at Sushi Island back on the 16th and had some great sushi,
including sawara, iwashi, and uni to good we had to have seconds.
Our bill for 3 1/2 of us was $145.. And my son is only 5. Ouch.

Lately we've been getting takeout from Kyotoya, which is right off
Montvale Ave in Stoneham. Its close, cheap, and ok sushi. They also
suffer from pre-packaged ovber marinated saba. But the uni is good.

--
Dan