Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

by Jenny Bengen

Café Japengo
Routinely voted by San Diegans as one of the area’s best sushi restaurants, Café Japengo is a hip and trendy locale in the Golden Triangle area. The food is not the only star at this restaurant, the atmosphere is as well. The sushi here is great looking as well as great tasting, and everything from the service to the menu selections are produced with flair and sophistication. Entrees and scrumptious desserts are offered in addition to the sushi, but most everyone comes for the sashimi and the rolls. Café Japengo is more a place to be scene than be heard due to the loud music always playing in the background, but don’t let that scare you away. One bite of the food and you’ll be back to wait in line many more times.

Cuisine Type: Japanese, Sushi, Asian

by Chris Faust

TAKA RESTAURANT
555 5th Avenue (Hillcrest)
San Diego, CA 92103
Taka Sushi, located in the trendy uptown neighborhood of Hillcrest is a fine example of an Americanized Sushi Restaurant. Hillcrest is a small enough village that you can park, walk around and enjoy a creative mix of wine bars, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Occasionally at lunch you may see one or two Japanese parties at Taka, but being in Hillcrest you are more likely to see every other eclectic, arty type that exists in San Diego. You will see the local actors and the local modern and ballet dance crowd. You might even see Elvis. Yes Elvis does like Sushi! Elvis’ favorite dish at Taka is Hamachi Kama, $10.50, which is baked rare pieces of Yellowtail served with a Ponzu sauce or flavored with Teriyaki. Operated by a Japanese family and being quite popular Taka serves a good quality of Sushi, fresh and flavorful. Taka is an “in” spot and hence the prices can be up there. Taka is as much a scene as it is a Sushi bar. Taka Sushi is one of the best “Americanized” Sushi restaurants in town.