A Seriously Shocking
Sushi Surprise
in North Ranch
 

“Sayka Sushi” ...
     OMG!

Those that have been readers for the last 8 years know that choosing the truly satisfying and most authentic Sushi Bars for our elite readers is, perhaps our most passionate, but toughest endeavor.

Of course, we are always very serious about the best values in fine Italian, Chinese, Thai, French, Mexican, Steak and Contemporary stuff. But, they haven’t opened all over the place to now match Domino’s and all those other mass production pizza joints, as have the now ubiquitous Sushi Bars. They are now almost even. But producing authentic Sushi and subtle Japanese food. requires rare skills and  training. Thus selecting the best from the small collection of that first group is an easy task, compared to sifting through those dozens of questionable sushi bars that now seem to pop up in any vacant retail space. .

You see, in the last 7 years, almost every person that sort of looks Asian and even some that don't  seemed to think that starting a Sushi Bar was the easy way to financial heaven. With the recent (and deserved) closings there may still be at least 20 (mostly suspect) Sushi Bars in the Conejo and more than 50 (also mostly suspect) in Ventura County. That makes it  now a very close numbers race between Domino’s style eateries and sadly, all these supposed  Sushi Bars.

The problem, however. is that creating authentic and truly satisfying sushi and other delicate Japanese cuisine takes a lot more than owning a fairly sharp knife (?) opening  a box of frozen pizza dough and getting  it in a rickety auto. Sushi is another very serious ball game.  It takes very arduous skills that require many years of training …in Japan.... learning about the  fish.  Three sushi bars in Los Angeles now easily command $150- $350 per person tabs......... without sake. Pizza skills produce a less than $10 tab per person... delivered....warm.. ...sometimes. 

Thus, we hurried back the next day post lunch time to interview Kenji and Hiromiko. The story that then logically unfolded explained it all. Kenji lived and was trained in Japan. At about 30 he came to this country and spent some time in assorted Japanese kitchens.

He wound up at Katsuya, now the hottest name in Sushi in California with fancy high décor designer locations in Beverly Hills and  Brentwood having started in the  “Dreaded” Valley.  Prices are to match. As Robert DeNiro bankrolled Nobu, there is similar  entertainment  money behind Katsuya to attract the tight black leather pants crowd.

But there was also a  contemporary master sushi chef of the original Nobu style at Katsuya. And Kenji spent numerous years there, arduously  learning  combinations of authentic sushi, sashimi,  hand and cut rolls and innovative delicate cooked cuisine enhanced by a presentation that is an art form.

Thus, Sayka does cover all bases; there are Tempuras, all the Yakis, salads, light touch multi specialties that change on the wall board and value priced  lunches and entrees. 

A typical Sushi lunch plate includes Miso soup with a California Roll or spicy tuna roll.... and 5 pieces of sushi or 7 pieces of Sashimi for $9.50.  The most expensive dish from the Broiler is  the King Alexander entree which includes sautéed king crab, lobster and scallops with garlic ponzu. It is $15. Almost better than a clunker rebate with no paper work

The room is basic understated Sushi Bar style with the two wall s covered by clearly stated specialty boards.  The sushi bar is relatively small and  therefore there can be an occasional wait   Service is very  efficient. and very amiable

Sayka Sushi 1125 Lindero Canyon (Pavilion Shopping Center) 818-707-8188 Most Credit Cards - Reservations Optional - Easy Parking.  Lunch: Tue-Fri    Dinner: Tue-Sun.

Other Fine Dining Values In The Conejo Right Now

While the Chairmen of The Federal Reserve and The New York Stock Exchange and the Secretary of the Treasury tell us that prosperity is “just around the corner”, many of us with perhaps more practical economic training remain very skeptical, especially based upon the declines in business reported in The Conejo.  Those continuing unemployment rates and foreclosures cannot be ignored.

And  these problems have been especially relevant in the fine-dining category of the “Hospitality” industry. Most reports indicate drops in revenue from 20%-40%. Within the wide world of business, there are thinker-fighters and there are weepers. Think about it. The Pitifully Weeping Auto Industry.  But the Restaurateurs of the Conejo are responding in the same way as the fine restaurants in New York where competition for the dining dollar is fierce. See above article.

Thus….we did an extensive survey of the entire area to locate the thinker-fighters. In only one case did we find a local restaurant that was still doing every table busy business. We won’t reveal their name but you should be able to figure it out by default.  As with Allesio, Dakota, Joannafina, Sushiko, Suki,  etc. there are a number of other hyped or   overrated absentee-managed dining spots in T.O, .Westlake and Agoura  that are in the suspect category. Sadly, the venerable  Mandevila  now joins the list.

Rumor also has it that notorious hair dresser John of Italy is attempting to dip his comb and scissors act back into the dining  biz with the takeover of the Mandevilla location.   Based upon his previous record, one wonders ....Why????  Oh yeah....maybe because he does have an "Italian" Attitude.

But here is our list of locally owned on-site fighter-thinkers, along with their special-value offers that deserve your attention and your patronage. If you have additional suggestions please let us know and we will add them to our  list. A true reality show........  also without Paula Abdul.

Now At Both Locations

Riviera in Calabasas - Ritrovo in North Ranch - Casual Summer Promotions

Tomasso Barletta, Ventura County's famed true and most serious celebrity chef- owner announces The Menu Turistico for his two very popular  above Italian  casual dining restaurants.

For $29.95 you get an Amuse Bouche, Appetizer,  Entree and Dessert. at Dinner. The two above are closed for Lunch.   The premier Tuscany, however  remains open. for lunch and dinner. . 

Sushi Yusho- Newbury Park- Now All You Can Eat Sushi !!                         Lunch $26.95-Dinner $32.95 UnbelievableValue Plus See Below                     

Universally recognized as far and away the oldest, best and truly authentic Japanese  restaurant in all of Ventura County, Sushi Yusho  also offers 20% off on luncheon items  Monday and Tuesday only as well as a special  $9.95 luncheon all week.

Traditional Cooked Japanese meals are now discounted daily 10% (Tempura is wonderful!) and All Individual Sushi is now  discounted 5% daily. Their Uni  (Sea Urchin) equals the freshest and the best any where. Owners are all Japanese with over 40 years of traditon. Uni the real test of a sushi bar is superb. Do not settle for less. Avoid Non-Japanese pseudo sushi bars.

The  restaurant is closed on Sundays.

Bellavino Wine Bar and Restaurant - Westlake

Brewski in Camarillo:

All day every Tuesday, 1/2 lb Snake River Kobe Beef Hamburgers for $7. That’s just a buck or so more than those supposedly aphrodisiacal Carl’s Jr.  sex toy products which represent adolescent, “lickingly bad”  taste at every opportunity. Ugh!!!! If you haven’t tasted a Snake River burger before, you may never go back to an ordinary one no matter what the price.

Onyx - Hampton’s at The Four Seasons:

Some thing special is going on here every night except Friday and Saturday. as they fight to get some one inside the building and keep the valet parkers busy.  That is $5 when validated.