The 'burbs aren't all that bad [yes they are]

I will tell you that one of the disadvantages of living out here in the suburbs is the lack of restaurants. That, and everything is white. And yes, I know we have an Applebee's. And yes, I guess you can count that as a "restaurant," if you're not a wine drinker. Which I am. I'm not a snooty connoisseur, but I do enjoy a nice glass of red wine that hasn’t been poured from a box.

We tried the local Applebee's a few weeks ago. I requested the wine list; they don't have one. The bartender asked if I'm a white or red wine drinker. I told the bartender it depended on what I'd be pairing along with the wine. An "Applebee‘s-Super-Slammer-Nacho-Platter" would pair better with a white, while "Hot-N-Creamy-Spinach-Snackers" would probably pair better with a red. Don’t you think?

Anyway, last week we took a trip to the art museum, and since we were going to be in Milwaukee we’d planned on grabbing lunch at our favorite sushi restaurant: Izumi's. Unfortunately, Izumi's was closed for the day due to an "unforeseen circumstance." Someone had better have lost a finger in that kitchen.

Luckily, we had a back-up plan. Unluckily, we used our back-up plan.

Believe it or not, Milwaukee has more than one sushi restaurant. Although not many more. Us Milwaukeeans still look at sushi as a poorly prepared fish-fry. I mean, when you pay this much for a piece of fish it had better be battered! Right…I mean, am I right?

So...we went to the other sushi restaurant, Nanakusa.

I'm not going to turn this into a restaurant review. Except to say that it sucked. Yes, sadly it did.

First of all, when I eat sushi, I want to see it without the assistance of binoculars or a magnifying glass. I understand that Japanese cuisine tends to be on the lighter side, however I’m still a mid-westerner and like to consume enough food during each meal so that my body responds with a poop.

Secondly, and most importantly, do not take my order without writing it down. Especially when I'm ordering a meal that requires dozens of plates like: Sake, California Rolls, Tamago, Sake Sashimi, Unagi, Spicy Tekka Maki…and I go on and on and on with our order…until Ben asks her if she's getting all this. The look on her face is all: I'm trying to memorize a license plate number here. I'm all…Shush, Ben! She's trying to remember that I ordered the Tekka Maki rolls, or was it the Spicey Tekka Maki rolls?

It really wasn't that bad [yes it was]. And we had relaxing lunch with three kids in a quiet sushi restaurant [no we didn't]. She did remember our order, I think, since my memory is shot. Honestly, I can spend five minutes scrambling around the house looking for the car keys that I'm holding in my hands.

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Comments

Anonymous's picture

I'd have to agree, Nanasucka is the pits. And I hate the atmosphere. If I remember correctly, last time I was there we sat in a hallway, paid $50/person, drank lukewarm mediocre sake, then left hungry 2 hours later. Ugh. NEVER AGAIN! Whole foods is a better experience with their tiny pre-packaged bites of fish. Or Sushi Samba, even better, HEAT makes the drive down to Chicago well worth it! :DWell we're off to Bucca's Safe bet! :D.

Anonymous's picture

No fun having bad sushi... HATE that. I am telling you, that place near the Pick n Save, in Bayside, in the strip mall is really yummy. It isn't as pretty as Nankusa or Izumi's but it is YUMMY!!

Anonymous's picture

Some times, often times, you make me spit out my wine I laugh so hard. Tonight was one of those nights.
It just so happens that we're getting a sushi restaurant in our neighborhood. No idea whether it will be worth eating. Or whether they'll remember your order. But I'm sure it will make you poop. You know, if you ever want to visit DC and get a meal together.

Anonymous's picture

Can I just say I LOVE that your kids eat sushi? Seriously... gives me hope for my little picky eater! And do you know how much her father would LOVE to take her to a sushi restaurant?

Meredith's picture

The secret is to tell the kids they're eating ground up hot dogs! Just kidding, but I don't think our girls know what they're eating.

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