Sushi or Chinese? Chinese or sushi? If you and your friends have been caught in such a dilemma during the weekend sick-of-Eickhoff slump, there's no need to compromise. Edo Sushi and Wok on Route 31 in the Pennington Shopping Center can satisfy those craving California rolls as well as those who have a hankering for Hunan pork.
To start, the wonton soup ($1.30) is salty, but still quite good, as is the miso soup ($1.50), which is topped with fresh mushrooms. House specials range from $5.95 to $14.95, but the lunch specials are an even better value. Items range from the standard chicken with broccoli ($4.50) to the salmon sashimi lunch ($9.50) - all are served with rice and a choice of soup.
Two items from the sushi a la carte menu, which are at most $7.50 each, make for an affordable and filling dinner. Patrons at the sushi bar also get a ringside view of the chefs preparing their raw fish.
There are 18 kinds of nigiri sushi, which is two pieces of fish or shellfish on top of flavored rice. The maki sushi can be ordered in the form of six small pieces or one cone-shaped handroll.
Presentation is attractive - the maki sushi comes neatly arranged with a modest side of cucumber salad in a spicy sauce, and even a complimentary wild card piece. One of these, for example, consists of cooked salmon, pepper and avocado.
The eel and cucumber roll and the spicy tuna roll (both $4.50) are recommended, but there's always the California roll ($3.75) for more conservative palates.
The service is friendly and attentive - two grandmotherly women went from table to table several times to make sure customers had everything they needed. The Japanese artwork on the walls and sleek blue and gold light fixtures make for a casual but festive atmosphere that suits a night out with friends as well as dinner with the family.
Lunch runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner is from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, dinner is 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Take-out is also available. Call 609-737-1190.
