Date and Time of Visit: Tuesday, November 1st, 12:21 pm (Lunch)
Name of Restaurant: Zushi Japanese Cuisine
Location: 5900 Memorial Drive, Suite 102, Houston, Texas 77007
Website: http://www.zushihouston.com
Phone: (713) 861-5588
Four years ago, Zushi Japanese Cuisine opened their doors under the original ownership of one man. Since then, the restaurant has changed owners...but not the chef.
If you've been eating sushi for a while, you have either (1) heard of Executive Chef Chris Nemoto, (2)eaten at Zushi or (3) heard of Zushi itself. Everyone knows the location - directly at the intersection of Memorial Blvd and Wescott. Zushi Japanese Cuisine is the 'anchor tenant' of the office building with large neon letter glowing during the evening hours. Considering my knowledge of the establishment (and the chef), I decided to pay this restaurant and visit and finally write an honest review.
Now, to ensure that I keep this review as professional as possible, I will be the first one to inform you that I am highly familiar with Zushi. I know the managers (Leon and Gloria). I have attended several meetings with the owners (Gonzalo and Sara). I'm even a Facebook friend with Executive Chef Chris Nemoto. Additionally, the Sushi Club of Houston has hosted a handful of events at Zushi. So if anyone would care to argue that I might have a person bias towards Zushi, I can handle it. But for a review, honesty counts. If I notice a flaw, this is where the founder of the Sushi Club of Houston should announce it. If I don't, I do you (the reader) a disservice as well as Zushi. On the flip side of that coin, if I notice something to their credit, they deserve to have it published here.
So here it goes.....
When I first pulled into Zushi's front parking lot, I was distressed to find only a handful of parking spaces and all were full. Apparently the 'Early Sushi Bird Gets the Worm.' I was hoping to park close to the front door to enjoy a 12 foot stroll inside, because it was lightly raining at the time. But I was out of luck. Driving less than 45 additional feet (down Wescott), Zushi provides three levels of parking. Best of all, it was covered parking. Only a handful of sushi restaurants in Houston can make such a statement. So, parking my car and taking my time, I walked into the establishment dry as a bone and happy about it.
I walked into Zushi from the side entrance and was instantly welcomed when I walked in. The hostess smiled and said, 'Welcome to Zushi. How many in your party?' Simple, polished and friendly. I decided to sit near the sushi bar so I could half a great view of the restaurant as well as the sushi chef, Chris Nemoto. Within one minute, I was handed a menu and brought a glass of water. Although the waiter didn't introduce himself (something I appreciate), his interaction was smooth and cheerful. After a review of the sushi menu and lunch options, I was ready to place my order.
In my experience, every restaurant loves to boast about their outrageous lunch options and I get tired of the hype. According to Zushi's menu, they provide a series of easy-to-understand lunch options at great prices. While their common appetizers (edamame and agedashi tofu) were in line with common prices ($4-$6), I also noticed a Grilled Mackerel lunch for a mere $7 and a Beef Tataki meal for only $11.00. In my opinion, reasonable for any budget. After spending a few moments considering their specials, I ordered the Grilled Atlantic Salmon with a Ginger Glaze ($8.00), an extra portion of sushi rice and four pieces of nigiri sushi - 2 pieces of whole scallop and 2 pieces of tamago.
While waiting for my meal, I decided to take a leisurely stroll around Zushi's dining area and sushi bar to get a great look at the decor, cleanliness and overall atmosphere. For my tastes, it's pleasant. Not over the top or crude. For my eyes, it's the type of place that I can envision three ladies enjoying a few Cosmopolitans after a day at the office or a group of friends sharing a sushi platter at the bar. The restrooms are beautiful - both contemporary and antiseptic clean. Two big thumbs up for the bathrooms, folks.
I have to say, when the meal was placed in front of me, I was a little surprised at the size. It was much more than I bargained for. Then, the sushi arrived. I said to myself, 'I'm not leaving hungry.' The Salmon filet was exactly what I expected - tender, flaky and flavorful. Typically, my experience with salmon filets hasn't good. During a recent trip to Colorado Springs, CO, I visited an old hangout of mine (Musashi Japanese Restaurant) and found a severe disappointment in their 'salmon skills.' But Zushi, for my taste, hit the nail on the head.
I have to admit, at this point in the meal, I was nervous. So far, the meal was great. No complaints. But the sushi....now I get REALLY picky. Pushing my empty salmon dish to the side, I pulled a plate containing all four pieces of nigiri to the front. And, as usual, I began disassembling the sushi. For me, it's the best way to judge the skill of the chef. The scallop was clearly fresh with a slightly chilled surface. The tamago (egg sushi) was room temperature. Both pieces of nigiri were a suitable size (not enormous but certainly not small). Now...it was time for the big test.
Anyone who knows me knows that I judge the sushi based on the quality and care of the sushi rice. In my mind, it's the one continual factor that grades any sushi restaurant, sushi recipe and skill of the chef.
I picked up the beds of rice (nigiri) and worked my way through my standard poking and probing. I must admit, I wasn't disappointed. Although I was slightly unhappy with the temperature of the rice, I was under the impression that the chilled scallop was probably affecting the surface of the rice. That's where the separate portion of sushi rice comes to the rescue. If the additional sample of sushi rice is warm (at lease body temperature) I can be sure that the scallop was the culprit.
To my delight, the rice was room temperature. Even better, every bed of rice began to fall apart in my mouth after the third of fourth chew. Well prepared, suitable temperature and superb in flavor.
Management to the Rescue.
Near the end of my meal I was moving my empty plates around the table and noticed that the surface of the table was slightly rocking back and forth (due to an uneven table leg). Now, truthfully, I don't care. I am not rating the surface of each and every table. But to my surprise, the manager on duty (Leon) had noticed the table rocking as well. Within 20 seconds, he politely excused himself, bent beneath my table and slipped a small coaster under the table leg. I wasn't sure if I was impressed with his level of service or impressed with immediate solution. Either way, I was impressed.
Time to Go, Paying the Bill.
The subtotal of my lunch bill was $18.40. More than acceptable for the volume of food I received. After a 15% gratuity, I rounded the total to an even $21 bucks and thanked them as I began to walk out of the restaurant. Just before leaving Zushi, I spent a few moment reviewing their sake selection as well. Within the realm of Houston, a suitable selection is offered. Nothing overly dramatic, but not scarce.
Overall Opinion
Aside from the lack of parking in the front of the restaurant, it's hard to knock Zushi with a bad note. The value at lunch was excellent. The salmon filet was superb. The sushi itself was a suitable size and the rice received a thumbs up. Extremely clean bathrooms and attentive management. In this area of town (Memorial Blvd. near Washington Ave.), you have a number of sushi options to choose from. If Zushi is one of your hangouts, I have one thing to say. "Great Choice."
All the best,
Carl Rosa
Founder and President, the Sushi Club of Houston
