May 04, 2008 after Maker Fair.
After a day at the fairgrounds I really needed some real food, something light and refreshing. Sushi!
Wasabi Ginger was not my first choice, second choice or even my third choice. But #1, 2, and 3 Zagat rated sushi restaurants are closed on Sunday. So we drove around until we found Wasabi & Ginger. This restaurant was on the smaller side despite how it looks from the inside, a little neighborhood kind of place, where many of the locals grad take out. I didn’t really have very high expectations but I was pleasantly surprised about the quality and innovation for the
cut rolls we ordered. I had a Volcano Roll and a Money Train Roll. The Volcano had tuna, unagi and mango, the sweet tangy mango contrasted the more rich flavors of the unagi and tomago. I have had a few rolls that try to incorporate fruit before and many of them have failed miserably, but this one succeeded where the others failed.
Kris ordered the Fantastic Roll. It was a special that was described as having asparagus and spicy tuna in it, but when they brought it out it was nothing like the description. Kris also ordered a Nigiri of Toro. It was old, and not that fresh anymore, but it was buttery all the same.
Price wise Wasabi and Ginger would rate a $$, very reasonable for two people who ate
three rolls, an order of Toro and a beer. The décor was a little lacking in style and newness but it was obviously a nice family operations. The Sushi chiefs were friendly and the service was very prompt.
Taste wise I would rate it an 8; better than expected and better than many that I have had. The Sushi Chiefs were all Japanese men who knew their fish. The rolls were not very traditionally Japanese but their California fusion was much better than many local sushi places I have eaten at here in Sacramento. I thought the chiefs were perhaps a little heavy on the sauce but it was mostly on the plate so you didn’t have to dip it if you didn’t want to.
Overall I would give Wasabi and Ginger an 8 because I liked their food, the service was prompt and I thought the chief was innovative without being intrusive with his California fusion rolls. They are available to do catering, take out and delivery.
2299 Van Ness Ave. at Vallejo
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-345-1368
