Kaz Sushi

Some restaurants you like for a while, but they fall out of the regular rotation.  I used to love Kaz Sushi Bistro in early 2003.  The Asian short ribs in the bento box were meltingly tender and flavorful, and the sushi combinations were inventive.  But then price point and atmosphere seemed so much livier and relaxed at Sushi Taro so I stopped going to Kaz.  Fast forward a few years past Sushi Taro's major renovation, concept change and price increase.  It's birthday time for my sushi-loving friend and we needed a good place to celebrate.  Sushi Ko in Glover Park is just inconveniently located, especially on bitterly cold winter evenings.   Since we were going after work, I made a reservation at Kaz. http://www.kazsushi.com/  

 Age-dashi Tofu ($5).  Good but I like

the dashi to be hotter.

 Coriander-Crusted Calamari Salad with a Ginger Dressing ($8).

Assortment of sushi. 

Yellowtail-scallion maki ($6.50), salmon-jalapeno maki ($5.25), spicy tuna maki ($5.25) and ume-shiso maki ($4).

Tuna tapenade nigiri ($6) and seared Albacore tuna w/ chili-daikon nigiri ($6). 

Kaz uses koshikari rice, which is cooked and seasoned well, and the portion size of both rice and fish is done correctly.  Definitely the best sushi I've had in awhile.

***

The evening started out nicely.  We ordered some hot sake and caught up.  Everything on the menu sounded good to me, and we decided to share appetizers and sushi, which is one of my favorite ways to eat with friends.  Then a loud, inebriated couple sat down nearby.  It was like a car wreck in progress. You know you shouldn't look, but you're compelled to see what happens next.  A regular customer came in, gave the waitress a hug and put his fedora on her.  The gentleman next to us seemed to have a nice time surreptiously watching us watch the drunken antics across the room.  It was almost like dinner theatre.  If only there had been a mute button.