Sushi Yuzu Reigns Supreme

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Sushi Yuzu's Lemon Roll glistens with freshness and flavor. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

Having eaten sushi at fine, and not-so-fine, restaurants throughout Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and other American cities for the past 25 years, I have tasted the gamut of preparations from the truly excellent to the frighteningly awful.

Sushi Yuzu falls solidly in the absolutely excellent camp, with tender, fresh fish, exciting preparations and friendly chefs and servers. Diners can enjoy omakase or order from an extensive menu of sushi, sashimi, rolls and cooked dishes.

Sushi Yuzu Jumbo Scallop, Muki-Hotate, tastes like the ocean, with a touch of wasabi. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)
Sushi Yuzu Jumbo Scallop, Muki-Hotate, tastes like the ocean, with a touch of wasabi. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

For a small restaurant, Sushi Yuzu seats a good number of people at tables and the bar, however prime times for lunch and dinner can result in a wait. There may be some good reasons for all the patrons.

Perhaps the warm towel to cleanse hands at the beginning of the meal is a signal that something special is about to happen.

The diner may get an inkling when the fragrant miso soups and the hot appetizer of Kani-Shiitake Age, tasty tempura shiitake mushrooms stuffed with crab and scallop, arrive.

But there can be no doubt when the first slabs of fresh sushi are placed on the plate by the chef. Sushi Yuzu is a unique, stylized and top-notch sushi spot.

Sushi Yuzu's popular namesake roll, the Yuzu, is an explosion of textures and tastes. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)
Sushi Yuzu’s popular namesake roll, the Yuzu, is an explosion of textures and tastes. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

From creative and colorful concoctions like the popular Asian, Lemon and Yuzu Rolls, to the more traditional sushi and sashimi, the chefs prepare every plate with precision and an attention to texture, taste, smell and visual impression.

Every bite of fish is fresh, tender and moist. There is basically no need for soy sauce, unless for a surfeit of moisture and bit more salt.

Recently, I tried the Blue Fin Tuna. It was almost like eating a piece of melt-in-your-mouth-tender beef filet, the fish was so meaty and flavorful. Absolutely, a treat.

Sushi Yuzu also has a few vegan items on their menu, along with seasonal Hot Pots and a variety of soups. Their list of hot and cold appetizers is quite long and brings together vegetables, meats and a host of eclectic flavorings, for some exciting plates.

Sushi Yuzu's Blue Fin Tuna is hearty and succulent. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)
Sushi Yuzu’s Blue Fin Tuna is hearty and succulent. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

Earlier in 2014, Sushi Yuzu renovated a restaurant across the street at 10155 Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake, naming it Kabosu. Based on the excellent experiences we continue to have at Sushi Yuzu, we will have to give their sister restaurant a try.

Everyone in the family, young and old, raves about the food every single time we eat at Sushi Yuzu. We think new diners will too. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait to be seated, and reservations may be wise. Parking is limited but can be found within a few blocks of this Toluca Lake favorite.

Restaurant Info: Sushi Yuzu is located at 10118 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91602. 818-763-8355. Sushi Yuzu is open Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and Monday through Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for dinner. They are also open for dinner Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Sushi Yuzu receives: Tops In Town

myBurbank Ratings:
Tops In Town (Outstanding)
On The Marquee (Really Good)
Could Use A Rewrite (Average or Slightly Below)
Don’t Quit Your Day Job (Roadkill)

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