TEMAKI SUSHI - neighbourhood special!

I am not an adventurous sushi eater. I love almost everything I try when I'm dining on sushi, but when I think about cost vs. satisfaction, I always lean towards the rolls! Tamaki sushi is warm, friendly, and consistently delicious!

Name: Temaki Sushi
Location: 2-2156 W. Broadway (almost at the corner of Arbutus)
Phone: 604. 738. 4321 (I've memorized this number...wow)
Payment: Cash, Visa, MC
Price: Up to $30 for 2
Alcohol: YES
Hours of availablity: Closed Sundays. Mon-Sat Lunch: 11:30am - 3:00pm/
Dinner: 5:00pm - 10:00pm. Holidays: 5:00pm - 10:00pm

Talk about a neighbourhood favorite. I am not the first to say that Vancouver has its pick of sushi spots around town. No matter where you are in the city, you can always find some aspect of Japanese cuisine to enjoy. Temaki has been MY spot for years. I have watched them grow from a tiny 4 table hole in the wall, to a knock-down-the-wall spacious restaurant. The owner team consists of a brother (head chef) and sister (operation manager). The other dozen or so individuals who work here never stop moving. They are efficient, polite, and Japanese. There is something immediately authentic about the staff. I think it's the Japanese welcoming statement they give you when you walk in the doors. (I still haven't fiured out what they are saying, but I do enjoy hearing it. I think it goes something like, "Hey you white girl...Welcome back") I always expect them to remember me (because I am here almost once a week), but I think I am part of a HUGE cult following that call Temaki a regular.

What I like to order: It has become my goal to order at least ONE new item every time I go. My most recent visit prompted me to try the Hamachi (Yellow tail tuna) Nigiri at $2.00/each. It was gone before I knew it. But I do remember that I liked it. I am still trying to find the balance between soy sauce and wasabi. I can never get the ratio perfect. I have recently discovered the tuna world. Whether it is tuna tail or tuna belly, I love it. I thought tuna came in one form and one form only, which is what you get inside a classic "tuna" roll. This is not the case. I always found that "type" of tuna too mushy and lacking flavour and texture. If you are willing to spend a little bit more, you too will discover the delightful world of tuna.
Sorry, what I like to order: Without looking at the menu; Chef's roll - $7.95. This roll is larger than most with 8 bite-sized pieces. It is a colourful, crunchy, sweet roll. There are bits of tempura goodness and fresh sweet mango inside and decorated with thinly sliced tuna on top. The final result of this roll relies heavily on the sweetness of the the mango, it truely makes the roll complete! I doubt a traditional Japanese roll consists of mango, but it really works here (think about pinapple on your pizza!!) As a healthy start we usually share the seaweed salad a.k.a Gommae. This is a small mountain of cold, cooked spinach carefully adorned with sweet sesame sauce (tastes like light peanut butter) and crunchy seasame seeds. YUM. Our other roll favourites include the Negitoro (which isn't on the menu, but they will make it for your without any hesitation), chopped scallop roll, spicy salmon roll, and the Kamikaze (cream cheese, avacado, crunchy cucumber, tempura bits, and salty smoked salmon grazing the top of each piece - think bagel and cream cheese without the bagel....)
If I am dining alone, which for the record I'm not very good at. I stare at people and am very self-concious (obviously something I need to work on), then I like to order the Tuna Tetaki Salad. This fresh salad offers you warm lightly seared tuna, sweet miso dressing, and crunchy fresh daicon. It's healthy without thinking you are being healthy. I think this is THE only salad I have ever ordered in a restaurant (also something I need to work on).