1820 29th Ave. South (SOHO), Homewood
802-1440
Upscale Japanese restaurant opened by John Cassimus (founder and owner of Zoe's kitchen) and Charleston Wilson. Diners select from a menu of hot dishes, cold dishes and sushi. Birmingham Magazine, in a 2006 review, says "the ambiance is intimate, upscale -- and adult." Chef Nobuhito Kadoma has 20 years of experience, from Osaka to Aspen. Gayot.com notes that like the "calm, elegant decor punched up with touches of electric green ... the cuisine can deliver a hit of flavor." Food & Wine magazine in 2007 praised its "stellar Japanese dishes like aji (horse mackerel) served first raw, then deep-fried." Our take? Food and service are excellent, but you do pay for it. Skip the sushi rolls and go for the dishes you're not going to find elsewhere. Not into raw food? Try the Kobe beef mini-burgers.
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