So I finally hit up Wassabi.  I had been meaning to go forever; I think it opened up sometime early this summer or spring, give or take a month.  It's in the same center as T.G.I. Fridays at the end of the strip.  I had heard some pretty good things from friends and I love Japanese food, so before the Journey/Def Leppard concert at the Save Mart Center last Wednesday (which was freakin' amazing!) me and my friend Jackie headed over there for some sushi. As we walked up to the front doors I saw that their sign actually said in large letters "Wassabi" and underneath that "To Die For....."  I liked the confidence.

As we entered, the first thing I noticed was the size and the decor.  It is not super big, just one large room and the  decor is awesome with lots of bold red, black, and gray with splashes of yellow all in a contemporary style.  The restaurant is very well laid out and the lighting is great - it creates a very warm inviting environment, though the design has a very cool metropolitan feel.  We showed up around 6:30 and were immediately seated. 

Jackie who had been here several times before immediately ordered the OMG (I'll explain later).  Since I was new I needed time to peruse the extensive menu, which I would describe as Japanese cuisine with a California kick, so I just ordered some Edamame, which are boiled and salted soybeans which are always a safe bet.  

They had a bunch of great appetizers like asparagus tips wrapped in beef and deep-fried soft shell crab served with ponzu sauce, and lots of traditional entrées, and sushi.  But what I got a kick out of was the long list of their Wassabi Special Rolls (over fifty of them!).  They had names like Fore play, Climax, Crazy Monkey, Pimp Daddy, and Harley Davidson.  I wasn't sure how I was going to pick.

I had been to another restaurant a few months ago where I ordered a roll, that had fried yams with steamed crab and shrimp that was lightly salted and rolled into a traditional roll.  I asked our server if they could do something like that and she said sure.  I liked that they were flexible like that. 

While we waited for our dinner, I ordered hot sake and my friend ordered a plum sake.  The plum sake was served chilled and was sweet and very mild for a sake. While we enjoyed our sake I was diggin' on the music which was a variety of classic and indy rock and even a little new age thrown in the mix. Along with the design of the restaurant and the lighting, the music created a good atmosphere, and it wasn't so loud you couldn't enjoy your conversation.

We didn't have to wait too long for Jackie's OMG; if you haven't guessed yet, the OMG stands for Oh My God.  I think they didn't want to swear or something.  And it was appropriately named because that is what you say after you take your first bite. At least I did. It's a deep fried California roll topped with spicy scallops, crabmeat, tuna, tobiko, green onions, Wassabi special sauce, and macadamia nuts.  The presentation was beautiful and like most rolls something to be shared.  You can order it as your entrée, but it is almost impossible to finish. It came out with the Edamame which were great, it tasted like they used a sea salt instead of traditional salt.

Shortly after the OMG and Edamame came out, I got my special order roll.  It was wonderful with whole prawns flash fried and sticking out the top of the roll.  It was sweet and crunchy and delicious.

We tried our best, but we didn't get close to finishing our meal.  Once we had finished, our server came to clear our table and inquire if we would like desert.  We declined and we received our bill right after that.  That is one thing that I consider a part of good service.  Have you ever noticed that a lot of times you will go to restaurant, have a great meal and great service through out - then once you are done you wait an eternity to get your bill?  I like it when the server is adept enough to know when you are ready to leave.

I have to say, that I was completely satisfied with the whole dining experience.  I went back to Wassabi for dinner again this week, and my experience was as good as it was the last time.  I highly recommend this establishment.

Wassabi is located at 1085 E Herndon Ave. #110 off of First in the South East corner of 1st & Herndon.  It is open Monday through Saturday for Lunch and Dinner though they close between 2:30 pm and 5 pm and they are closed for lunch on Sunday but open up at 5 pm for dinner. For more information call (559) 435-5423.