Jun
12, 2003 — Before
my recent visit to Moshi Moshi Sushi in Sunset Square, I have to
admit I wasn't very excited about going to a strip mall for
dinner. Too often I find strip-mall eateries bland and
unadventurous, especially when they're part of a large chain.
But sometimes I forget how different and wonderful Bellingham
can be.
Open since November, Moshi Moshi Sushi is a colorful Japanese
restaurant and sushi bar that forms a welcome oasis in the
middle of strip-mall miasma.
From the moment we walked in the door, it didn't fit any
preconceived notion I had
— unfairly
— held.
The vibrant décor mixes calm and class with cool slate
floors and bright mango-colored walls. Deep blue pendant lights
hang above each table, bringing a modern touch to the ancient
tradition of Japanese cuisine.
As is so often the case when we know we're going out for a
restaurant review meal, my husband and I were famished when we
sat down. Everything on the menu looked enticing.
|
Moshi Moshi Sushi |
|
Location:
1155 E. Sunset Drive
Phone: 756-6017
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through
Saturday
Serving: Japanese cuisine in a colorful
setting.
Menu items sampled:
Spicy agedashi $4.25
Gyoza $3.60
California roll $3.95
Yakisoba $7.50
Saba shioyaki $11.80 |
We quickly agreed on two appetizers, then sat back to enjoy
the energetic interior, while trying to ignore the massive
parking lot on the other side of the glass. The only addition
I'd like to see to this near-perfect décor would be a larger
shoji screen to obscure that view.
We began with two appetizers, both served on striking
rectangular ceramic dishes.
The spicy agedashi was new to me, three sizeable squares of
deep-fried tofu served on lettuce leaves and garnished with
small circles of scallion. The slightly crisp tempura batter was
a fitting balance to the soft tofu. The spicy sauce gave a
definite kick, cooled by swigs from our tall glasses of ice
water.
Gyoza is my preferred Japanese appetizer, and Moshi Moshi's,
while perhaps on the small side, ranked among my favorite
versions. Six petite portions were slightly browned on the
edges, plumped with flavorful filling. The accompanying dipping
sauce was served in a charming shell-shaped bowl.
While my husband enjoyed a cup of miso soup and its
punctuation of tofu and scallion, I worked on six springy
California rolls stuffed with imitation crab, avocado and
cucumber. The edges had been carefully rolled in masago, tiny
orange fish eggs that added a wonderful finishing flavor. As
always, I married too much wasabi with soy sauce in the small
rectangular bowl provided for the dipping sauce concoction, and
my eyes watered even as I enjoyed the rolls.
After so much pre-entreé goodness, it's no surprise I had
little room for my yakisoba, a dish of pan-fried noodles mingled
with beef and vegetables amidst a slightly sweet sauce. I
savored a few bitefuls and then shared much of it with my
husband.
All the while, he was working happily on his entreé of saba
shioyaki, a simple yet delicious dish of broiled mackerel with
salt. A bowl of rice accompanied the fish, as well as an
intriguing potato-based side salad that was reminiscent in
texture of American potato salad, sans mayonnaise or mustard. It
was a delightful surprise.
Although we didn't have room, for dessert you can choose from
three flavors of ice cream: mango, ginger or green tea.
Moshi Moshi Sushi is definitely worth a try if you're a
serious sushi connoisseur. Sushi, nigiri, sashimi and maki are
available in dozens of varieties. I've heard wonderful things
about many of its offerings, including the spicy California
roll, a deep-fried version of the more common California roll,
served with a sweet sauce. I'm also yearning to try salmon
nigiri.
Moshi Moshi also offers takeout. I'll be tempted to take it
up on that in the future, but if you're going, be sure to first
sample the vibrant environs and fabulous service as well as the
flavorful food.
