I love finding new places near my new home, especially when they are as surprisingly superb as Uzumaki :) From their Covid 19 protocols, knowledgeable and professional servers, to their quality fresh fish, everything is on point and should be a paradigm for other restaurants. If you are driving to the restaurant, park for free in the garage on Tilden, otherwise you risk being towed in the private lots across from and next to the restaurant.
They don't take reservations, so sign in on the sheet as soon as you arrive and they will seat you as soon as they have cleaned and prepared your table. Every diner gets an envelope with clean set ups and the envelope itself is to be used to hold you mask as you dine! The outdoor patio tables also have individual trash cans for your use, so after you open your chopsticks and use your wet towel, you may dispose of them in your personal trash receptacle!
They offer set menus if you can't decide what to order ranging from $28 to $100 for a 19 piece premium omakase box, but I wanted to explore their menu a la carte. Their $13.50 salmon skin salad could be a meal in and of itself! Perfectly grilled skin pieces with lots of salmon on them, bonito flakes, house pickled carrots, steamed asparagus, julienned cucumber, micro greens and spring salad all brought together with a miso dressing. If you are getting this as an appetizer, three or 4 people could easily share it!
The waitress explained that they had a seasonal albacore available for an extra dollar, so two orders were $18 and as they were delivered, it was also explained that no sauce was needed as the chef had already prepared them to be eaten as is. They were so good that if you are offered the chance to order this, please do, because another day they only had one piece left, and even though the regular albacore was good, the seasonal was spectacular.
I love halibut and two orders for $16 was a bargain for this quality of fish and preparation.
Seeing the popcorn shrimp at another table was enough to order one for $12 and the lightly battered appetizer portion was so generous that it was also easily enough to share for 3 or 4 people.
One day I went, they had run out of Spanish Mackerel, so the waitress recommended the Shima Aji for $8 per order of 2 pcs) which was very good, but I had to go back for the Spanish Mackerel on another day.
Arriving right when they open was the way I finally got the Spanish Mackerel ($8 per 2 pcs) that alone was worth the trip to Uzumaki! The fresh fish and gorgeous preparation made this my favorite of all the sushi I ate (but Spanish Mackerel is also usually my favorite sushi choice)!
The cut spicy yellowtail roll ($10.50) and the California roll ($9) were both well executed. I asked for the yellowtail without mayo which they did for me.
Unagi ($8 for 2 pcs) was broiled expertly with a delicious sauce that made for a sweet ending for me.
For those who wish to finish their meals with a more traditional dessert, they also offer an excellent green tea ice cream :)
