EVERETT – The building stood empty for years. Then, about three weeks ago, Cherry Blossom Sushi Bar &Grill opened in the building that was home to the old Shawn O’Donnell’s restaurant.
Once inside, customers from the former restaurant will barely recognize the new place. Festive paper parasols and metal sculptures decorate the walls and small Japanese-style lanterns provide the lighting. There’s lots of natural-colored wood in the sushi bar’s chairs and tables, with plum highlights in the fabric. The change is so dramatic, it pulled my attention away from the menu for a little while.
For those who enjoy sushi, the 24-item sushi list includes familiar choices like the California roll ($5 for two pieces) that’s made with crab, avocado and cucumber, and the different, like the Everett roll that’s a California roll topped with seared salmon ($9 for 6 pieces). The Cherry Blossom Roll is deep-fried and has Alaskan king crab and avocado inside ($12 for 7 pieces). There are fives pieces in the sashimi selections which range from $8 to $11, except for the combinations ($25 and $26).
My friend doesn’t like sushi, but I enjoy it and ordered two of my favorites fresh water eel and tobiko. The pieces were generous, extremely fresh and beautifully presented with Wasabi and white ginger on a platter decorated with cherry blossoms.
While I was relishing my sushi, my friend was sampling an appetizer of tempura soft-shelled crab ($8). For those who don’t like a strong “fishy” smell, this may not be a dish for you. But we liked them and agreed that the soy-vinegar sauce that accompanied the crab would improve anything and everything.
For our main dishes, my friend ordered one of his favorites chicken yakisoba ($7.99), which is Japanese-style chow mein. I selected a bento box with fish from the grill mackerel that comes with miso soup, salad and rice ($8.50). I added an order of edamame, which are boiled and lightly salted soybeans ($3.50).
The yakisoba noodles were richly coated with soy sauce and served with lots of strips of tasty chicken, bell peppers, cabbage and carrots plus plump mushrooms and carrots. It was better than most.
My lunch was one of the best. The mackerel was very fresh and expertly grilled. The rice was fluffy and the exotic fresh greens were dressed with a tasty soy sauce-rice wine dressing. In fact, my lunch was so good I started selecting my next meal the main dish salad of seaweed-cucumber-shrimp in a citrus dressing or the Korean bibimbop.
Fortunately, this was our first visit to Cherry Blossom and like most customers leaving before us, we announced, “We’ll be back.”
Herald restaurant reviewers accept no invitations to review, but readers’ suggestions are always welcome. Reviewers arrive unannounced, and The Herald pays their tabs.
Contact Anna Poole at features@heraldnet.com.
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