RESTAURANT REVIEW by Raymond S. Boniare
February 24, 2011
Suruki's Sushi & Teriyaki Grill
Gateway Plaza, 145 Plaza Drive, #201, Vallejo, CA
Suruki's is a friendly and quaint Japanese restaurant where locals and residents from nearby towns, such as Benicia, American Canyon, and even Fairfield (20-25 minutes away!) travel to have authentic Japanese cuisine, sushi and eastern inspired fusion soups. This is truly a restaurant for relaxation and enjoyment. The ambiance can best be described as "hearty and friendly." I was impressed with the succulent fresh sashimi (raw fish), yes indeed, but the portionsoverly generous as well.
What I like about Japanese restaurants is the fine food preparation and delivery. Outside the French, the Japanese food presentation is most appetizing I believe. But Japanese food always seems most appropriate for a joyous occasion.
Yes, indeed, dining at Suruki's Sushi & Teriyaki Grill harkens to an experience one would more likely find in New York or San Francisco. That's why this Japanese eatery is a rare and important part of the Vallejo dining experience. The food here is comparable to some of the best Japanese cuisine you'll find anywhere and the pricing, like the restaurant, not so imposing. This is a casual California style Japanese restaurant. "It's hip, but not pretentious."
The same goes for many of the exotic and fulfilling sushi creations. Just take a look at these sushi offerings:
Doug Special ... 7.50
(Shrimp Tempura, Nagi, Avocado & topped w / Suruki's Special Sauce)
Ship Wreck ... 7.95
(Shrimp Tempura, Unagi, topped w / Ahi, Salmon & Drizzled in Special Sauces)
Lion King ... 7.50
(California Roll, topped with Salmon and Baked with Special Sauce
Connie ... 7.95
(Shrimp Tempura, Avocado, Cucumber, Topped w / Unagi & Drizzled in a Special Sauce)
Snap Crackle Pop ... 7.50
(Shrimp Tempura, Imitation Crab, Covered in Rice Crispies & Drizzled with a Special Sweet Sauce)
If sushi "isn't your cup of tea" not to worry. Restaurant owner-chef Sonny understands "man cannot live on Sushi alone" so he offers some choice steak cuts, hot chicken dishes and cooked salmon dinner plates, all served with hot Miso soup, rice, and Japanese salad, that are worthy of mention here:
Chicken Teriyaki (Chicken w/Teriyaki Home Made Sauce)
Beef Teriyaki (Angus Rib Eye Beef w/Tempera Sauce)
Ton Katsu (Deep Fried Pork Cutlet)
Tempura (Three Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura)
Saba Shioyak (Grilled & Salted Mackerel)
Salmon (Grilled & Salted Salmon)
Kalbi Beef (Sparerib Marinated with Garlic Soy Sauce)
Korean Beef (Angus Ribeye Beef w/Stir Fry Vegetables)
Hungry yet? Well, maybe you are ready for the "Benito Box Special." You create your own lunch by selecting two or three entree items from among Chicken or Beef Teriyaki, Tempura Ala Carte, Ebi Tempura, Salmon, Kabli or Korean Beef, Gyoza, Edamame, Croquette, Spicy Chicken Wings, Karaage, Sunomono, Tuna Poki, Hiyayakko, Seaweed Salad, Calamari Tempura, Fried Rice Shrimp, BBQ Pork, Chicken, or Ton Katsu.
A lot goes into distinguishing between a good and truly great restaurant. Ultimately, it has to measure up to quality, venue, value, selection, ambiance and service. Suruki's Sushi & Teriyaki Grill seems to have it all so it's not surprising many Vallejoans have adopted Suruki's as their "best choice for Japanese food. The staff makes sure your every culinary desire is fulfilled. They are quick to fill your tea cup and take away empty plates without being noticed. You will notice, though, their graceful and polite demeanor. They enjoy their work and it shows. Everyone seems to have a good time here. You will, too.
"... rare and important part of the Vallejo dining experience. The food here is comparable to some of the best Japanese cuisine you'll find anywhere."
"It's hip, but not pretentious."
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