DAILY NEWS

Thursday, March 23, 2000

CUISINE: Japanese
PHONE: (718) 491-0662
PRICE RANGE: Sppetizer, $2.95-4.95;
Main Course, $7.95-$16.95

Daily News ratings, from zero to four stars, are based on the total
dining experience: food quality, atmosphere, service and value.

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COMMENTS:
Although there are a few Japanese eateries along Bay Ridge’s Third Ave. restaurant strip
Bayridge Sushi proves there’salways room for one more.
Recently opened on the north end of the strip at 68 th St., it has simple décor and much of
the menu is not so different from that available at other places.
But the ratio of quality to price make this a definite value.
Among the appetizers, there is a lovely sweet broiled eggplant dish called NASU, with mild
miso and “chef’s special sauce.” which tastes much like ponzu sauce.
Also good are some of the udon soups, especially when winter winds snapback.
One abundant soup that can substitute for entire meal is the nabe yaki udon, with seafood
chicken and a poached egg as well as thick noodles and vegetables.
Among the sushi choices, there are the usual combinations of salty, fishy and crunchy
ingredients.
There is nothing particular to the neighborhood in offerings like the Bayridge maki meal
for rolls including California, spicy tuna salmon and eel.
And it is hard to say what marks the Bayridge roll with what appeared to be yellowtail tuna
as indicative of the area.
But a couple of the rolls without place names were better than one would expect from a
simple ingredients list.
The rainbow roll supersizes a California roll, and addin bits of various fishes to the mix and
the East roll – with shrimp, salmon roe cucumber and fried egg – offered contrasts that
made it fun to bite into and to taste.
For those looking for a deal, there are tasty bento box dinners for $10.95 with shumai
salad, a California roll and a choice for the main dish from a list of teriyaki and tempura
offerings.
Another deal for the hearty eater who finds sushi servings skimpy is the all-you-can-eat
buffet for 18.95. Marathon eaters be warned:
you are charged for what you serve yourself and fail to polish off.
The only desserts available are the varieties of ice cream usually found in Japanese
restaurants – green tea, red bean and ginger.
But for an interesting variation, try the tempura ice cream – a cold ball surrounded by
the hot, light batter.
For drinks, there are Japanese beers – Asahi and Sapporo – and house sake
which can be ordered.hot or cold.

Carolina González
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RESERVATION: YES .
CREDIT CARDS: Major credit cards.
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11:30 am - 11:00 pm; Friday - Saturday, 11:30am - Midnight.
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Yes.
TAKE OUT: Yes.
DELIVERY: Yes; $10 minimum.
PARKING: Street parking.
NEAREST MASS-TRANSIT STOP: R train; Bay Ridge Ave. Station.