sushi/sashimi/etc...

Here goes what is likely a long post with most everything linked to sushi in the Philly area.

The most recent "Best of Philly" listed August Moon in Norristown and Sagami's in NJ as the best places for sushi.  I've never been to Sagami's (more on that later), but we did go to August Moon for the first time last Sunday evening. We sat at the sushi bar, where one chef was working that night (I think on busier nights they have more).  My fiancee and I shared their special sushi/sashimi platter, which was a decent size.  We both felt the variety and quality was excellent.  The plate included some bonito, chu toro, and king crab, which to me are not so typical for your "off the menu" order.  Everthing seemed fresh, and the pieces were of good size (not small, but not gigantic either). Overall we were quite pleased and will definitely go back.  The price was reasonable, IMO, at $37 for the platter.  Other things I could see about August Moon that might be of interest:  it calls itself a Korean and Japanese restaurant.  The sushi bar sits about 12 people I think.  The rest of the place is fairly large, but I hesitate to estimate how many it holds.  Parking is easy with a lot right next door.

Living near the Main Line, we were really happy to 'discover' August Moon.  Our experience (remember, OUR experience!) with sushi on or near the Main Line has been disappointing.  We haven't been to all of them, but many.  Sometimes they have been "good" by our scale, but rarely if ever are they "very good" or "excellent".  We need a few more data points on August Moon, but right now it goes into the "very good" category.

We were a bit suspicious of the rating by Philadelphia Magazine because they had, I think for the last few years, rated Hikaru as the best place (besides Sagami's) in Philly for sushi.  Well, I realize this isn't necessarily fair, but we went to Hikaru's in Manayunk about 2 years ago and had what was some of the worst sushi we've ever experienced.  Maybe we caught them on a bad night (it was early evening on a busy Saturday night), or perhaps the critic(s) from Philadelphia Magazine only went to the one downtown and found it to be very good.  Anyway, our meal at the Manayunk one was so disappointing that we are very hesitant to try any of Hikaru's other locations.

I'm also curious as to how people in this NG judge the quality of a place that serves sushi and related stuff.  I am assuming that freshness, size, and variety is important, but what else?  Do most of you order just what is on the usual menu?  Or do you sit at the sushi bar and let the chef serve what he(she) wants to, which frequently can be things not listed on the menu?  How many of you sit at the sushi bar (which I've found is the easiest way to find out what is available that may not be on the menu)?  We like to sit at the bar and have the chef suggest what is the best that day, and depending on the restaurant, you can get some real interesting stuff (like the baby octupus we had at a place downtown a couple of months ago).

Now, onto this supposedly unbelieveable place called Sagami's!   Do they have a sushi bar?  If so, can you request to sit there when you call for a reservation?  How extensive is the listings on the menu?  Are there many things not on the menu they will serve if you ask?  Or can you ask the chef to serve what he likes that day and get who knows what?  Are there certain chefs there that you like better than others?  What are your favorites at Sagami's?

Whew.  That's enough.

Cheers,
JWB
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