So much sushi, so little time

By Brandi Lukas
Too much sushi, not enough belly room. Rider University is surrounded by sushi restaurants, and with so many different serving styles, it is hard to decide which to try first. However, Beijing Tokyo is a good place to start.

A four-minute car ride and all-you-can-eat sushi for $16? Yes, please. This hidden sushi treasure is located across from QuickChek on Princeton Avenue in Lawrenceville and is attached to a floor and tile shop. Some of Beijing Tokyo’s pros include a low price for the all-you-can-eat menu, the quality of the food and the excellent service. The employees cater to the customers very well, and are always on their toes for drink refills and additional orders. Typically, the restaurant is not crowded, so any time of the day or week is a good time to go. When ordering from the all-you-can-eat menu, make sure it is done in small orders because if it is a big order, they may forget to bring out a roll or two. That can be a good thing, though, because one’s eyes are often too big for one’s stomach. Call (609) 396-2811 for more information.

By Brandi Lukas
Sushi Palace is the ultimate all-you-can-eat sushi experience. The artistry, quality and atmosphere of this sushi venue are well worth the money and drive. It is located past downtown Princeton in the Kingston Mall, and can range anywhere from a 20-to-35-minute ride depending on traffic.

The all-you-can-eat menu is $20 per person. This place is usually filled to capacity, especially during the holidays. Sushi Palace does not have an organized system for reservations, so showing up early is the best bet. The most exciting place to sit is at the sushi bar because one can watch his or her food being made. Make sure you know your stomach capacity because the restaurant doesn’t like when the food isn’t finished. They want you to enjoy all of the food you can eat, not all of the food you desire to eat. Call (609) 924-2882 for more information.

By Heather Fiore

Although it’s tucked away in a small slot of Manors Corner Shopping Center in Lawrenceville and won’t necessarily be noticed at first glance, Masa 8 is one of the closest sushi restaurants to Rider and certainly one of the most delicious.

Located on Lawrenceville-Pennington Road, Masa 8 offers a variety of Japanese cuisine and requires students to travel less than five minutes.
Although the restaurant is small, it has an intimate setting. The lights are dimmed at all hours, especially during the evening, and the entrance is very homey and welcoming.

Masa 8 specializes in sushi, which is prepared fresh daily, and offers an array of other options on its menu.

Like most sushi restaurants, Masa 8 offers an expansive selection of lunch specials served from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily, except Sunday. You can choose from a Bento Combo Box, a combination of sushi rolls or a hibachi entree. The Combo Box, which is served with miso soup, salad, shumai, a California roll and your choice of any meat — served teriyaki or tempura style — for only $9.95. For the amount of food that you get in this box, the price is essentially a steal.

While its low-priced lunch specials are any college student’s dream, the regular prices for their entrees and rolls are reasonably priced as well. Its generic rolls, including the famous California and Philly rolls, range from $4.50 to $7. Masa 8’s signature and special rolls are a bit more expensive, ranging from $10 to $14. However, this doesn’t stray far from the norm of other restaurant’s prices.

Overall, Masa 8 is college-friendly and affordable with an extensive menu for everyone to chose from. However, the one inconvenient thing about Masa 8 is that it’s closed Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.masa8sushi.com or call (609) 896-3338.

By Megan Pendagast

Situated inconspicuously with only a small sign to indicate its presence, Jade Island is one of the best-kept secrets in Bordentown, N.J. When pulling into the relatively empty parking lot, you might not know what to expect, but any apprehension evaporates the moment you are seated.

The exterior of the restaurant isn’t flashy and isn’t what an inexperienced diner might anticipate from a Japanese cuisine eatery. Even the naïve sushi eater is guaranteed to be excited to try what Jade Island has to offer as soon as the setup is revealed. The sushi station is situated in plain sight of the small, but intimate, dining area. The chef’s skill and precision set diners at ease.

Despite the small size of the restaurant, the atmosphere is quiet and cozy and serves as the ideal family dining destination.
The staff is solicitous, but not overly so, and your water glass never reaches empty. It could be all too easy to fill up on the complementary fried noodles before the main course arrives.

Don’t fill more stomach space than necessary, because the sushi rolls are generously portioned and simply delicious. The Bordentown roll — sushi with shrimp tempura, avocado, and other delectable delights — is so good on its own that the use of soy sauce is not necessary, and might even take away from its flavor.

Jade Island offers great variety, with so many sushi options that making a decision is a time-consuming process. But, if sushi is not for you, the menu also has more authentic Japanese cuisine to offer.

If you want to take a break from Daly’s food and take-out, Jade Island is a delicious alternate destination with mouth-watering sushi and excellent service. Call (609) 324-7200 for more information.