Comments and ratings from Brian Mandell

The World-Wide Sushi Restaurant Reference
Comments and ratings from Brian Mandell

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Brian Mandell has contributed information about 5 restaurants: Shinano, Sushi Taro, Genji, Otani, Shuhei.

About Shinano (Cleveland, Ohio, USA)
Last visited January 2001.

Variety of sushi: Usual selection.
Freshness of sushi: Very fresh.
Presentation of sushi: Average.
Generosity of sushi portions: Somewhat larger than usual.

Promptness of service: Prompt.
Courtesy of service: Courteous.
Accuracy of service: Accurate.
Cleanliness - dining and visible kitchen areas: Clean.
Cleanliness - restrooms: Clean.
Quality of nonsushi food: Good.

``Most traditional sushi bar in Cleveland. Have traditional cooked food (shabu shabu at times and sukiyaki). Sushi bar friendly, fish eating, non-yuppy crowd. Above average selection.''

About Sushi Taro (D.C., USA, North America)
Last visited December 2000.

Variety of sushi: Broad range of uncommon items.
Freshness of sushi: Very fresh.
Presentation of sushi: Somewhat nicer than average.
Generosity of sushi portions: Large portions.

Promptness of service: Prompt.
Courtesy of service: Very courteous.
Accuracy of service: Always accurate.
Cleanliness - dining and visible kitchen areas: Clean.
Cleanliness - restrooms: Clean.
Quality of nonsushi food: Very good.

``Excellent fish. At times has the feel of a crowded traditional Japanese sushi bar. Cooked food includes traditionals like shabu shabu and sukiyaki. Selection and freshness excellent; usually have toro. Will take reservations. My favorite in D.C.''

About Genji (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)
Last visited January 2001.

Variety of sushi: Broad range of uncommon items.
Freshness of sushi: Very fresh.
Presentation of sushi: Exceptional attention to presentation.
Generosity of sushi portions: Large portions.

Promptness of service: Notably attentive.
Courtesy of service: Very courteous.
Accuracy of service: Always accurate.
Cleanliness - dining and visible kitchen areas: Cleaner than usual.
Quality of nonsushi food: Very good.

``I travel extensively, eating sushi wherever I travel. This is my favorite restaurant in the country. Superb collections of high end fish - attention to detail. Creative rolls if you desire. JJ is a master sushi chef; very unassuming. I have never had even average fish here. It is more expensive than usual - but if you appreciate quality and diversity in fish offerings (i.e. fish from around the world, not just what the local distributor has) you won't mind paying for it. West Philadelphia Genji is good - but not with the selection that is offered downtown.''

About Otani (Cleveland, Ohio, USA)
Last visited December 2000.

Variety of sushi: Somewhat broader than average.
Freshness of sushi: Fresh.
Presentation of sushi: Average.
Generosity of sushi portions: Average.

Promptness of service: Prompt.
Courtesy of service: Very courteous.
Accuracy of service: Accurate.
Cleanliness - dining and visible kitchen areas: Clean.
Cleanliness - restrooms: Clean.
Quality of nonsushi food: Good.

``Better than average overall bar. Busy bar that doesn't take reservations, so the fish turns over quickly and is almost always very fresh. Their popular chef, Eddie, left about a year ago to be the chef at Eugene's on Miles Road, but the quality of the fish has not suffered. ''

About Shuhei (Cleveland, Ohio, USA)
Last visited January 2001.

Variety of sushi: Limited selection.
Freshness of sushi: Fresh.
Presentation of sushi: Average.

Promptness of service: Slow.
Courtesy of service: Courteous.
Accuracy of service: Accurate.
Cleanliness - dining and visible kitchen areas: Clean.
Cleanliness - restrooms: Clean.
Quality of nonsushi food: Very good.

``Average sushi bar. No effort to regularly serve unusual fish, or even high end fish (moderate or high grade toro). Many fish are presliced; unagi served cool or warmish. Crowded at the bar, but they will take reservations.''

Disclaimer. Make sure you have read the full disclaimer located in the overview to this restaurant guide. Basically: I cannot vouch for the accuracy of any information on this page; remember that the comments are no more than the opinions of strangers; before you venture out to explore the places listed here, it would be a good idea to make sure they are still open, and to verify their exact locations.