"I had not been to this restaurant for many years, so I chose it for my birthday dinner. I was the first through the door at 5 pm and taken to a table for two near the sushi bar. Our waiter, Chad, was the only Caucasian on staff (there is a lengthy help wanted sign on the outside of the restaurant), friendly and so glad to be working there. He said he has worked in at least 30 other restaurants and this is the first where there was not constant stress the staff is all friendly, considerate, help each other out, in short an ideal working climate. He was very attentive (we wee also right by the kitchen) and we wanted for nothing. The warm saki was delicious and the large portion took care of us nicely throughout dinner. We chose crispy fried squid for an appetizer and, while less spicy than I might have hoped, it was a favorite. We did not have sushi, preferring tempura, which was tasty, even if the preparation of the dipping sauce was exceptionally low in sodium. The miso soup was also low sodium and I used both the Kikoman sauce and the chili/black sesame condiment. The shrimp tempura featured a large number of very mild shrimp and a stray crab leg thrown in. Vegetable Tempura ran to squashes, not all very flavorful. I missed having something with more resistance, like broccoli or a carrot. The rice was not as sticky as I would have expected and also exceedingly bland. As it was my birthday, we got a scoop of vanilla ice cream, dipped in cake batter and deep fried [sic], drizzled with chocolate sauce topped with a cherry and a single candle. The staff gathered at my table to sing and others in the small room sang along and clapped. It was heart warming as well as belly filling. We left at 7 pm and the place, which had started to fill in the first hour, was packed on a week night. A few orientals, but mostly families of all races out to enjoy a February night. In the last century this was a cherished secret, but now it is a go to place."
