Sushi is a funny thing - it used to be a food that Texas diners would be very squeamish about. In fact, some still are - especially in older people with tastes set in stone (for meat & potatoes only, etc). We even hear excuses that anything uncooked is full of parasites and bacteria (which can be true of any food if you want to get technical)! I remember in my own case, my friend spent a couple of solid hours one evening, begging me to go as I refused, and finally I gave in. We cozied up to the food bar and he started to order nearly everything on the menu - and I was converted that evening to being a sushi fan.
Since that evening several years ago, I have tried sushi all over North Texas. Some of the buffet style places who deal more in volume than quality tend to be a little cheaper and maybe not so fresh. Most Chinese food places now also offer sushi, knowing Texans don't care if it is Japanese or Chinese as long as they like it. But the really good sushi places have two things in common. One, they are sushi only (meaning sushi and sashimi, more often than not, Hibachi too), they are straight line Japanese food. Second, the really good sushi places are a bit on the expensive side. All sushi is pricey - 2 or 3 pieces or a roll the size of a candy bar can run from ten to twenty bucks, and here in Texas, that is an appetizer. But with the high price, the really good stuff is based on one thing - freshness. The buffet style sushi at many restaurants cannot hold a candle to truly fresh sushi.
At Edohana, they take freshness and skilled food preparation and elevate it to an art form. One look at their website shows some samples of this very thing. Even more compelling, they have chefs who create very original treats, and you never know what might be new on the whiteboards behind the chefs preparing your feast.
Because of the prices, we do not often get to eat sushi, but when we have the means or a celebration, we will be there. The peaceful decor is complimented by a wonderful staff - your hostess makes you feel truly welcome, and the chefs are obviously seasoned experts, as well as artists, with creating your meal. A personal note - at the Flower Mound location, the hostess will recognize you after a couple of visits and one evening, during the meal, came to our table and offered a complimentary round of saki, which made the visit even more wonderful.
The one time we had an experience that was less than extraordinary, we decided to get frisky and try the sea urchin. We attributed the off taste to being something different, but after we got home we got pretty ill. Made us stay away from any sushi for a good while. But, I honestly think this was a fluke. I do not know if it was the animal itself or we just happened to get the one thing that was not fresh. I know we won't be ordering sea urchin again.
But if you want the very best sushi in town - skip the chinese food restaurants with sushi on the side, and head over to Edohana. Diabetics, you can enjoy the wonderful sashimi salads (without the rice that causes diabetic problems), and of course all fresh fish is a very heart-healthy food. I see families there as well as dating couples every time we visit. I am really glad we have an Edohana in Flower Mound, and they have other locations around DFW as well.
If you are a sushi fan, you need to check out Edohana. They take wonderful food to the next level and make it an art form. We just wish they were open on Sunday! All sushi places have odd hours of operation for some reason, but it would only make sense here in the suburbs for such a wonderful place to be open for lunch after church, or Sunday dinner. Edohana - you are the best of the best round these parts!
Mark Robbins
Pros: Quiet, Fresh, Changing Menus, Always a Treat
Cons: Not Open Sundays or Lunch on SAT
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