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!

East - Japanese & Asian Fusion
408 Springfield Ave.
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
908-898-1988

Half price sushi for lunch Mon - Sat, dinner Mon - Wed

Recent Star Ledger review:

http://www.nj.com/food/ledger/index....300.xml&coll=1