AKIYAMA - New Sushi Bar & Grill

Brand new place opened up recently in North Boulder so of course I had to check it out. I can't comment on the service since I opted for take-out, but I did find it interesting that the hostess had a lovely British accent.

Their prices are a little high for this neck of the woods - Sushi a la carte is one piece per order with Ebi, Salmon, Yellowtail, Tako or Tombo @ $2.25; Kani @ $2.00; Kaibashira and Ikura @ $2.75... I can't imagine paying $5.00 for 2 pieces of Unagi. Call me cheap. I can take it.

I didn't see Sunomono Salad on the menus so I asked. The waiter that was helping me asked the Sushi Chef, but described it as the full seafood type - shrimp, octapus and crab. The Chef suggested a price of $8.95. Is it just me or is that a big OUCH! ??? They get major points for 1) Asking if it's available 2) Offering to make it up for me. That's customer service and a very promising sign.

As I was leaving a couple was walking in and I thought "OH! I can do an On The Street Interview!" The couple had been there the weekend before and were back because they felt it was good. I asked their opinion about the prices and they said the prices were similar to other sushi bars. (hmm)

This is what I ordered (and it's what I actually received - the waiter had stapled my bag closed before giving it to me so I was unable to check that everything was in there):

Kani Salad!!! I had a recent inquiry into the recipe for Kani Salad - it seems in New York this is quite popular. I had to guess on the recipe based on what I was told, but when I saw this on the menu I had to try it. I also had to email my questioning visitor and correct my recipe error! If you don't know about it, Kani Salad is a simple appetizer that's really easy to make and gives you a mouthful of slightly spicy crab with every bite. The recipe isn't exact, but use your taste to guide you: Shredded Imitation Crab, add small slices of cucumber, then mix with Kewpie Mayo, but go light to begin with! The flavor of crab is delicate so you don't want to over power it! Add a couple of drops of Srircha Hot Chili Sauce to start and adjust to taste. Mix in a little (start with one teaspoon) of Masago (little crunchy orange roe). Make sure the masago is fresh!

Ok, where was I....? Oh yes, I liked the Kani Salad. I haven't had so much crab in a while and crab is one of my favorites.

I also ordered a California Roll for my kids, Oshinko, Tamago, Alaska Salmon w/ Avocado, and Spicy Tuna Roll.

California Roll was a little heavy with the avocado.
I wasn't overly impressed with the Alaska Salmon Roll, but I'm not sure what was wrong with it. Maybe too much avocado again, but I can't be sure.
The Spicy Tuna was good, although I like alot of heat and I would request it hotter next time. (It's really hard to mess up a spicy anything roll...)
The Oshinko consisted of Burdock and Daikon only (oh there was a grated beet garnish that was very dry). The Daikon had an odd taste, or it was a brand I have not tried. Either way I didn't like it.

If you've read my website you'll know that traditionally in Japan the first time you visit a new restaurant, you ask for a tamago sample - it is an art to make it well, therefore, it is a testament to the quality of the food served. Well, I wasn't impressed with the tamago - it was crispy on the outside and not quite cooked all the way on the inside. Can they make it better than me??? Oh yeah! It's really hard to do and it's easy to mess it up.

In summary, I will return to Akiyama to check out different foods and the service. Stay tuned....

Akiyama - 6525 Gunpark Drive, #330 (over by the UPS Store) Gunbarrel/North Boulder 303/530-0499