Feng - Asian Bistro - 70 Worcester Providence Tpke, Millbury, MA

Checked out a relatively new place today for lunch! I wasn't even sure if they had sushi since it said asian bistro. I walked into the really large restaurant and didn't seen any waitstaff so I looked around and proceed toward the sushi bar in the rear of the restaurant.  There were a few of the sushi chefs that smile and said hello as I took my chair. It took quite a while before anyone came over to me, when they did they poured me a glass of water and started to walk away , I quickly asked for a menu.

Now I was confused, I had grabbed a takeout menu on the way in to see their sushi listings and there was a whole section of Nigiri sushi (a la carte) for the choosing, however when the waiter finally brought me the menu it had lunch specials and other offerings but NO Nigiri, only Maki and Specialty rolls. That is a little confusing. After a few more minutes another waiter came over to ask if I knew what I would like wherein I asked where the a la carte offerings were. "Oh those are in the dinner menu", he said. I'm not sure why they would only include that in the dinner menu and not the lunch but ok.

He FINALLY brought the dinner menu and pointed out that they had Toro today. Nice!  Their special rolls seemed a little bit pricey, I mean minimum of $12 to $15 for a specialty roll, and nothing piqued my interest.

Here is an example: Feng Chef Roll (Salmon, Yellowtail, Tuna, Masago, Radish Sprouts, Asparagus, Avocado, Spicy Mayo and BBQ Eel Sauce) - $15

I picked a few normal rolls off their special which was 2 rolls (maki) and a miso soup for $9. Well that's not bad I thought.  However, the Nigiri is a different story, I didn't realize that it was per piece, not per 2 pieces like most sushi places I've been to. Now that isn't bad until you look at what you pay for what you get. I took a tobiko (flying fish roe) $3, an anago (sea eel) $5, and toro (tuna belly) $10! That means a normal nigiro order of two would have cost me $10 for anago!  The tuna belly was listed as MP (market price). I didn't ask although I probably should have!  I've had toro before for maybe $14 for two and that is what I was expecting.

Anyway on to the food.... 

 I ordered a tuna maki, yellow tail maki and the above 3 pieces of nigiri. The rolls were quickly made and you could tell, the rolls weren't staying together very well and there was something about the nori (seaweed) that I can't put my finger on but it seemed rather chewy. I've never noticed that with any other rolls at any other restaurants I've been too.

Notice the roll opening

The fish itself tasted very fresh however!  I saved the 3 nigiri for last, the anago was delectable with a great eel sauce, the tobiko, sweet and popped in my mouth, and the toro was exquisite, such a fresh , clean taste for the palate, I wanted more. Glad I didn't though for the price!!!

The decor inside the restaurant is tastefully done, very modern, very clean. There was some background music playing which wasn't too loud and relaxed you as you ate, the waitstaff seemed overly friendly and came back a few times to ask how everything was, although there was still noone at the front door when I left as well.

There is a whole other eating area as well plus Hibachi. I don't have any information about that but the lunch crowd was filling there for their show.

Overall I liked the food, the selection wasn't terrible, although 3 things I asked for on the menu they didn't have. The price is what gets me! 

 

Ten Prime Steak and Sushi - 55 Pine St. Providence, RI

A new review tonight! I decided to check out this place with a friend.

We headed off to Providence early Friday night we had no hassle getting there. It was actually quite easy to find the place using a GPS and we scored parking at a meter just around the corner from the restaurant. The restaurant actually offers free valet service and there are numerous lots around the area as well with low rates.

As we entered the restaurant we were promptly greeted by a very friendly hostess within seconds. We asked to sit at the sushi bar and she directed us to our seats. The atmosphere is setup in a modern, night club style feel, with a huge bar dominating the left side of the restaurant. Tucked in the back was a small sushi bar adorned by a very nice saltwater aquarium, and a few more tables beyond that in the back. The decor was interesting enough, busts (naked) of men, women, and the like were prominent in places as well.

The hostess gave us a large drink menu, REALLY large drink menu;  there were wines galore listed in there.  The sushi menu a single page , large board, with several sushi options on it.  The selection on the menu for sushi was limited, however within that limited selection were great choices of fish.

There was no Maki listed on the menu, but there were signature Nigiri dishes, and Designer rolls (designer maki), but not the typical yellowtail roll, or salmon roll.

I got a few pieces of nigiri sushi consisting of Hamachi (yellowtail), Tobiko (flying fish roe), and Suzuki (sea bass). The hamachi was amazing! biting into a piece of this was like heaven, my friend had seconds on that after we were done with our meals!  The tobiko was disappointing in the presentation.  The rolls were round, rather than oblong (gunkan)-submarine style and poorly wrapped, as well as,not being completely filled. Biting into them gave you a mouth full of nori (seaweed) first, which was rather dry. The sea bass was good, a very fresh tasting fish and not tough like I've had at other places.

From the speciality nigiri I chose the Scottish Salmon which consisted of rice topped with salmon, onions, green apple, and lime. I could definitely taste the buttery salmon and the hints of the apple and onion as I bit into this; a very refreshing taste.

Lastly I ordered the Grilled Sushi Sandwich. It was basically made with rice on both sides, topped with spicy eel sauce, filled with tuna and other things which now I can't remember, cut into triangle shaped bite size pieces.  Their menu online does not list the newest items they have on their menu. This was a unique way of presenting sushi and I enjoyed the flavors of it. The roll was a bit too pricey though for what was given : $16.99 for a roll?

 

Top L-R: Tobiko, Scottish Salmon, Hamachi, Suzuki

 
A few tdisappointments were presentation. There was no thought into putting this on the tray, it seemed that they squeezed a little sauce there and there, but really just placed it on your tray in some way to make it fit without any artistry at all.   I also noticed was that some of the fish that was in the countertop cooler was presliced. I think that is something that should never be done in most circumstances. The best freshest fish comes from a chef taking his knife to the fish and cutting it to order. Now,  it could be due to the fact that there was also another chef that came to fill in behind the counter who in no way seemed skilled at cutting the fish. I don't know how else to put this, he was an American. He didn't seem to have any formal training with sushi as he was "chopping" the fish that he cut and not handling the knife a way a true trained chef does. Cutting slowly , carefully, at the right angle is important: it impacts the way the fish feels in your mouth as you bite into it.

With that said, I do think everything on my plate tasted amazing. I did have a piece of a specialty roll from my friends plate. We both agreed we didn't like it. This was the Prime Roll. It consisted lobster, asparagus, inside a rice roll topped with a tuna carpacchio and a dry rubbed spice, all on top of a some kirin oil drizzled on the plate. The first thing that came to my mind when I tasted it was : It's really dry!  It just didn't sit well with me and I wouldn't order it again.

Overall I think the place is a great restaurant, but I feel that it is really almost a steak restaurant that decided to try something different and have sushi as well. I liked the taste of my fish and the freshness. I have no complaints about the service, it was fast and friendly. I do think that it isn't a Japanese feel to it at all thought, it feels like a night club with a dominating bar and a small sushi area. I am reviewing places to eat sushi so I must say for what they offer on their menu it is unique, but I feel that it would appeal more to sushi afficionados then the mainstream sushi eaters. With that said, I did enjoy myself immensely, I think if I go back however I'd be more tempted to try some of that kobe or wagyu beef and get my sushi at a real Japanese restaurant.


My search continues for the ultimate sushiya (sushi restaurant)