Saturday, March 22, 2008

Restaurant Review: Flirt Sushi

I had come across Flirt Sushi when reading (201) magazine, which had a Best of Bergen County roundup. They reviewed the best restaurants in Bergen, and I had expected Sushi Sakura Bana or Ho Ho Kus Sushi Cafe to top the list. Sakura Bana was the runner up to Flirt Sushi. I was intrigued, given that I've long considered Sakura Bana to be the best sushi in New Jersey, followed closely by the Sushi Cafe and Kumo in Ridgewood.

Well, we went to the Allendale location there this evening and was pleasantly surprised. This isn't your ordinary sushi. You wont find a typical sushi or sashimi platter. Instead, you'll find a fusion of different rolls with a unique presentation. And flirty names.

For example, I had the "Latin Lover" which is fatty tuna, yellowtail, avocado, and mango in a roll (choice of white rice or brown rice). The large roll, eight pieces in total, was a hearty meal in its own right. Mrs. Lawhawk had ample choices among the vegetarian sushi options - there aren't any of the typical teriyaki or tempura dishes that you'll find in other Japanese restaurants. Flirt is about putting on good sushi in unusual combinations.

She had a sweet potato roll, tempura asparagus roll, and a avocado roll.

For dessert, we had the Won Ton Love, which is four fried wantons filled with chocolate ganache and then placed around mounds of whipped cream.

All the dishes were expertly prepared and very fresh.

The decor is modern, and we got into the restaurant just in time as several groups had to wait immediately after we were seated. Noise levels were acceptable and the service was quite good.

As an accompaniment, we drank a 2005 Lieb Cellars Reserve Chardonnay that we purchased last weekend. Quite good balance, with apple and pear and buttery overtones. That it doesn't have the high alcohol content that many of the California wines have become known for, is a huge bonus.

Flirt also has outposts in Suffern, New York and Hillsdale, NJ.

UPDATE:
Fixed links and typo.

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