Blu Fin Offers Delectable Sushi Favorites (Lunch Review)
by February 11, 2008 12:00 am 72 views
3.5 forks
Cuisine: Japanese
Noise level: Low
Ambiance: Modern & Blue
Price Range: $9-$16
Time: 45 minutes
Open Since: October 2007
For years now, ocean experts have intoned grave warnings about the threat of over-fishing, and the possibility of a seafood-free future. A recent New York Times story warned of extraordinary mercury levels in the tuna at several Big Apple sushi spots.
Despite all that, a couple of sushi fans from the Business Journal recently decided to try the waters at Blu Fin. Carpe Diem, right?
We ordered the Sashimi Bento special ($12), which came with five pieces of fish, four pieces of tuna roll, miso soup, vegetable tempura and a piece of shrimp tempura.
The chef’s selection included red snapper, tuna, white tuna, salmon and yellow tail. All were excellent, especially the white tuna and the salmon.
If you’ve never had salmon sushi before, you need to get on board the flavor train. It is rich, buttery and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, probably because of the high fat content.
The white tuna was also incredible, and tasted quite different from other cuts of the fish.
Our reviewer had never had occasion to try this piece of sushi, and said he preferred it even to toro – or fatty tuna – a tasty, but very expensive cut from the underbelly of the fish.
The vegetable tempura was about as close to perfection as we’ve had. It was light and crispy, wasn’t too heavily breaded and the vegetables still had some crunch.
On the other hand, the shrimp tempura, which for some reason had a coconut batter, looked and tasted like something from Long John Silver’s. Which isn’t to say it was terrible. Rather, it was like having a side of McDonald’s fries with your bacon-wrapped filet mignon and ’97 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Sesame Crusted Mahi Mahi ($15) was so-so. The fish was a little dry, although flavorful, one diner said. The soy shiso ginger butter sauce that accompanied the dish was good, but didn’t quite redeem the dryness of the fish.
On the other hand, the red snapper sushi ($4) was divine, he said. The sushi was fresh, flavorful and tender. He said he would go back to Blu Fin for the atmosphere and the sushi.
Blue Fin’s décor is, well, blue. Service was adequate and the restaurant would be a good choice for a quiet lunch with a relatively small party.