Not an Étoile
A handful of tables outside, perfect for people watching, and a handful inside make up the seating at this tiny Japanese restaurant. The menu is short and simple–hand rolls, sashimi and sushi in pretty standard permutations. We ordered set menus–Set B at ¥85 and set C at ¥75–though there was an inexplicable discrepancy between the menu prices and those written on the board. The food arrived in record time, suggesting it may have been pre-made. It certainly looked and tasted that way. Some of the rolls were unravelled, the fish was less than fresh, slightly smelly and entirely lacking in flavor. Avocado rolls were made from unripe avocado and an overwhelming amount of mayonnaise. Only the miso soup tasted like it should. A house white (¥38) was non-descript and on the rough side. With plenty of other places to eat on Taikang Lu, this place needs to freshen up its act.

–Elyse Singleton