Lunch at Hinode's

Today I had lunch with my dad and we dined at Hinode's located next to Carroll Creek canal in downtown Frederick.

It was too hot to sit outside under the umbrellas, as the temperature was rising to the high 90's, possibly hitting 100!

Hinode's has a nice selection of Japanese foods including sushi, sashimi, tempura and teriyaki dishes, and even lunch boxes.

We started with the Gataguri shrimp, which is wrapped in noodles, deep fried, and served with a sweet and spicy sauce,
and pan-fried beef gyoza.

Both were delicious, although the portions were small.

I had the sashimi lunch box, which consisted of a bowl of miso soup, California roll (although I asked for fish roe to be included), shrimp and vegetable tempura), rice, and three types of sashimi (tuna, white tuna, and flounder).


Dad ordered the pork Katsu, which is lightly battered and fried, and is served with a thick sauce; along with a side salad (not pictured).


For dessert we shared the creme brulee, which was one of the best I've had in a while (very creamy and light).


I thought the sashimi pieces should have been thinly sliced, rather than served in thick chunks; and the tuna wasn't of the best quality. Also, were served our main entrees when we were still trying to enjoy the appetizers. Overall, lunch was tasty and filling.

Sushi Lunch at Ziki's, a Japanese Steak House

I recently had lunch with my dad at Ziki Japanese Steak House, located on the second floor of the Annapolis Town Center, Annapolis, MD. There's a second location in Gaithersburg, MD (a lot closer to where I live).

The place was empty with the exception of 5 other diners. With its contemporary look, dark woods, hibachi tables, tables of various sizes, and sushi bar, I found the place welcoming - along with a cheerful Ira-shai!

I always enjoy sitting at the sushi bar so I can chat with the sushi chef and watch his magic. It takes years of schooling to master the art of sushi making.

Sushi is food that many people are afraid to try. "What, eat raw fish? No way!" Fortunately for me, having lived in many countries, including the Orient, I enjoy a wide variety of foods and I can dive into sushi anytime. Not all sushi is raw fish. A beginner can start with cooked shrimp, crab meat, vegetable rolls, even a sweet egg sushi.

I recently discovered white tuna, a wonderful mild-flavored fish, and I'll always ask if it's on the menu. It's my absolute favorite! It's almost buttery in taste and practically melts in your mouth. It's incredible. When dipping in the soy sauce, I only use a hint, as I do not want to miss out on the flavor of the fish.

For our lunch, we ordered the deluxe sushi and sashimi combo, which consisted of 16 pieces of sashimi and 8 pieces of sushi. Beautifully presented, thick slices of white tuna sat inside a martini glass with seaweed floating down the sides. Surrounding the glass was tuna, salmon, red snapper, and yellow tail.



The menu also has a very nice assortment of special rolls. We ordered the Queen Roll: Avocado and cucumber inside topped with spicy tuna (minced), and flying fish roe.



With every bite dad and I were in heaven. The chef kept a close eye on us as we sampled each piece making sure we were satisfied.

Behind the sushi bar is a display of Japanese dolls and bamboo boats for sushi.

I didn't look at their full menu but reviewing their web site, they do have a nice assortment of foods to choose from.

What I loved about this combination plate was the types of fish used. I've been to other Japanese restaurants where they seem to use a lesser quality fish or a cheaper type (such as imitation crab or cooked shrimp). The portions at Ziki's were ample and we walked out very satisfied.

Ziki Japanese Steak House
1908 Town Center, Blvd.
410-224-6598
http://www.zikijapanesesteakhouse.com/

Mon – Fri: 11am-10:30 pm
Sat: 11am-11pm
Sun: noon-10pm

Second location:
10009 Fields Rd.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

PS: How could I have forgotten the delicious fried cheesecake that we ate for dessert! Our waitress recommended it to us. Coated with a light batter and deep-fried, the very center was still cold but the cheesecake towards the outside was warm and soft. A rich ending to a wonderful lunch.