Lunch Review: Matsuri Sushi

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There are three foods that just can't be found in the supermarket...Wait, scratch that. There are three foods that shouldn't be found in the supermarket, because they will rarely come close to what you will find in an authentic Japanese or Korean restaurant: sushi, miso soup and kimchee.

Find your way to the new little piazza at Nature's Way, and behind the clock tower of the San Marco plaza you'll discover Matsuri Sushi, a Japanese restaurant that opened this summer, and steps out the the Bento box by offering a variety of Korean dishes. 

Not since the little Korean market and restaurant I discovered in New Jersey (via a Korean meditation master who wanted to introduce me to dried silver fish because he said it'd be good for my brain), have I had the opportunity to enjoy the Asian cuisine, and it was my driving motivation for deciding on lunch at Matsuri's.

The Feel: The restaurant has subdued colors of New Mexico red rock and earthy browns, with comfortable booth or table seating, or among the pub chair lineup at the chic sushi bar. Minimalistic in nature, everything about the decor is simplistic and not without purpose.

The Food: While visably disappointed that they were out of kimchee that day (since it was a side served with every Korean dish on the menu), I cracked a bad joke and settled on the miso soup and beef Bui Go Gi (grilled sirloin strips marinated in a bulgogi sauce).  My colleague and friend ordered the mixed Bento Box, both of our dishes on lunch special for $12.95 and $13.95 respectively, including a side of rice and soup or salad. 

The waiter brought us cups of their exceptional Jasmine Green Tea ($2.70), which was not harsh and bitter like some green teas, and not too weak and sweet like many Jasmine teas.  The perfect definition of yin and yang.  The miso soup (normally $3 when not offered as part of the lunch special), had just the right touch of wakeme (seaweed), negi (scallions), shitake mushroom, and tofu cubes in a dashi stock.

The Bui Go Gi had a good solid flavor, the marinade a nice blend of soy, sesame oil, rice wine and a bean paste, and the white rice was...well, with exception of perhaps Basmati, most white rices seem pretty standard.  The Bento box came with four pieces of tuna sushi and salmon sashimi, with wasabi and ginger sides.  Sneaking a bit of salmon, and the spoiled kid in me almost wished I'd ordered the Bento as well.  The Salmon draped rice was already flavorful, and the dipping sauce was a delicate sweet syrup that cut out the saltiness of the salmon, but gave definition to the otherwise bland rice.

Other menu items include hot and cold appetizers, tempura entrees, broiled dinners, sushi, sashimi, makimono rolls, Korean cuising, and combination dinner boxes.

The Dress Code: Most patrons were there on business lunches, so business casual or casual chic is recommended.  You're safe with sundresses or jeans and a dress shirt, but that's about as casual as I'd recommend.

The Damage:  While not the least expensive lunch specials around, Matsuri's offers the best price for the cuisine served, and moderate in comparison to many restaurants in the posh Lakewood Ranch area.  The average lunch is $15 per person. Dinner will cost you about $25, unless you opt for the more regal entrees like the Lobster Nippon & Filet Mignon Teriyaki ($32.95).  Add in a banana tempura, or Asuki Ice Cream, and you'll tac on another $4.50-$6.75 to the tab. 

Insider Tips:  Fresh ginger helps remove bacteria from the body, aid in digestion, and boost the immune system.  Therefore, when eating sushi, finishing with a piece of ginger will reduce the risk of becoming ill from raw foods.  Also, if you're a soy sauce lover, don't sit at the sushi bar and pour soy sauce over your makimono roll, as you may offend a more traditional Itamea-san (Sushi Chef).

Matsuri Sushi Japanese Restaurant is located at 8209 Nature's Way #111. Bradenton, FL 34202.  Phone: 941-361-1171. Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., Saturday, 4 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

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