New Orleans may not be known for its Japanese cuisine, but the city offers a variety of restaurants where New Orleanians can satisfy their sushi cravings. Takumi is the newest of the Japanese restaurants to hit the city. Located at 2800 Magazine Street in the building that formerly housed Table One (and right next door to Sake Cafe), Takumi claims to be "New Style Japanese Cuisine." And after a brief glance at the menu, and a bite of the warm French bread that the waitress brought with the drinks, it is quite clear that it is not your traditional Japanese restaurant.

 

The starter section of the menu lists the classic Miso Soup and Edamame, but I was quickly distracted by crazier concoctions like Spicy Miso Gumbo and Savory Foie Gras Flan. I decided on the Yellowtail Carpaccio. Italian in origin, Carpaccio, generally consists of thin shavings of raw beef drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice. This melt-in-your-mouth version replaced the beef with fresh yellowtail topped with very thin orange slices and drizzled with a citrus sauce. The flavor was fresh and left me excited for the rolls that were yet to come.

 

The menu boasts an extensive list of sushi and sashimi as well as several hot entrees, but I was more interested in trying some of the less common combinations they were rolling in soy paper. (None of their rolls come with the traditional seaweed wrap.) The rolls first struck me as being a bit expensive. Regular rolls started at $6 and special rolls hovered around the $15 mark. When the four rolls I ordered arrived, I quickly realized that I had enough food to feed four people. Each roll was cut in eight plump pieces and it definitely appeared as though I was getting my money's worth.

 

I skimmed over the common rolls that I knew I could order at my typical sushi joints and tried some of the house creations. I sampled the Uptown Roll – yellowtail, snow crab, avocado, and eel sauce – and the very spicy (and personal favorite) Washington Avenue Roll – snow crab, spicy tuna, seared tuna, avocado, and tempura batter. I especially enjoyed the extra burst of flavor in the Rainbow Roll that was achieved by replacing the snow crab that generally fills the roll with spicy tuna. Finally, I ordered the Tropical Roll. This roll began with a crunchy roll – snow crab, asparagus, green onion, and tempura batter – was topped with pieces of salmon and avocado, and smothered in a mango sauce. Each piece was sweet and tangy. The combination fulfilled any desire I may have had to order dessert had I not filled myself with fish.

 

The fish tasted fresh. The large portions made up for the high prices. And the flavor combinations were unique. Takumi may not be the best choice for the diner looking for traditional Japanese cuisine, or anyone who would be more than mildly confused by the French bread. But if you're ready for variety in your rolls, or a new take on Japanese flavors, Takumi is worth a spot in your sushi spot rotation.

 

Takumi

2800 Magazine Street

New Orleans

504-265-0421