Austin Sushi News #20 July, 2002 Welcome to Austin Sushi News, a friendly by-product of the sushi website for Austin, Texas, www.austinsushi.com Once every month or so, we bring you the latest scoop on sushi bars and related matters in Austin, Texas. You can UNsubscribe at any time by sending email to austin-maki-unsubscribe@austinsushi.com. Subscribe by going to www.austinsushi.com and clicking on the mailing list icon. If you have any problems, please send email to webmaster@austinsushi.com CONTENTS: 1. Japanese Food Comes to '04 2. New Downtown Noodles 3. Japanese Steakhouse Fever? 4. Private Sushi Chef Services =============================================== 1. Japanese Food Comes to '04 It was only a matter of time before some Asian flava hit the Soco strip in South Austin, 78704. Zen Japanese Food Fast is adding their second location by remodeling the old City Tile Company building just 2 doors down from the Continental Club. It's a pretty sweet business model -- take the high margins on sushi bar fare and serve it in a "fast" food setting == $$$$. Opening late August. Zen Japanese Food Fast 1305 S. Congress No phone yet Zen Japanese Food Fast 2900 W. Anderson Lane #250 phone: (512) 451-4811 =============================================== 2. New Downtown Noodles Though I dug the ham sub served by surly musicians who had been up late drinking Shiner Bock, that kind of authentic Austin ambiance simply didn't match the new swanky tile exterior that Kenichi had carved out at the corner of 5th and Colorado. Thus, "Noodle-ism, A Noodle & Tea House" was borne on July 10th, replacing the old Delaware Subs location next to Kenichi. The good news: cold soba noodles in dipping sauce. The bad news: $6 for packaged spaghetti-style soba noodles, dipping sauce, and a bowl of miso. Still, it tasted good and was served on a nice bento box setup. We give them the hi-five for a pleasantly designed interior (dig that swinging metal shelf!) and a menu that's all over the map -- fettucine, cannelloni, rice noodles, udon, soba, ramen, and seafood bisque. Oh yeah, no sushi, but there's some raw-ish tuna and salmon in their salads. Noodle-ism 107 W. 5th Street phone: (512) 275-9988 www.noodle-ism.com =============================================== 3. Japanese Steakhouse Fever? As you may recall from last month's edition of Austin Sushi News, a Kobe Japanese Steakhouse will open in late August at 183 and Anderson Mill Road. Meanwhile, we just discovered that Kyoto II is remodeling half of their sushi bar to create a Japanese Steakhouse as well. And it will open in late August. Coincidence, or the tip of another boom? Kyoto II 4815 W. Braker Lane #580 Phone: (512) 346-5800 =============================================== 4. Private Sushi Chef Services To all those folks who haven't been affected by the high tech bubble burst: eat me!!!!! Ok, I meant: eat sushi!!!! Nat Sawatphadungkij (no relation to Apu Nahasapeemapetilon) is still slinging his freelance sushi for your bar mitzvahs, weddings, private soirees, and gay salons. By day, he's a professional sushi chef. By night, he can prepare professional quality sushi in your kitchen. I recently attended a sushi party he was hired to cater and the sushi was excellent -- three kinds of rolls, lots of nigiri and sashimi, all professionally prepared and served on large wooden boats to the oohs and ahs of the assembled crowd. Surprisingly affordable, but not cheap. Nat in the Kitchen sushinat@yahoo.com Phone: (512) 797-6897 ===============================================