Zipango - Worcester, MA

Once again, I got a craving for Sushi and we ended up at Zipango--my very first time. It was about 9:30 at night when we called to see how long of a wait it was for a party of 6. The hostess replied over the phone, "One second."

"One second?" I said jokingly. "Really?"

"No, I meant just WAIT one second," she replied, playing along. I was glad she was in a good mood. :) Anyway, she said it would be ten minutes and we just happened to be ten minutes away, so off we went.

The Ambiance

When we arrived, we were seated almost immediately near the window. I must mention that on that particular night it was very cold out and the windows seats are quite drafty.

But there was a very warm feeling inside. The red painted walls, the Japanese-decor bamboo facades hanging from the ceiling along with the tasteful old standards piped in over the sound system made for a very comforting atmosphere. It felt trendy, yet relaxed.

The Service and Cleanliness

The service was so good--. It was almost like a superb actor that dissappears into a role and, is so good, that they don't get noticed or recognized for their acheivment. Our waitress gave us our space and was also attentive and pleasant.

The table was very clean, as would be expected from such an establishment and the silverware was without spot.

The Food

GREAT. SUSHI. AND FISH.

The tiger eye (I think that's the only one I ever get) that I ordered was the best I ever had. The spicy srirachi-flavored sauce on top was just as it should be, spicy and thick. There was a little more tempura on it than usual, but I loved that. I love the crunchiness.

I also tasted a piece of my friend's tuna steak and it was even better. The lemon-wasabi sauce combined with the texture of the perfectly-grilled tuna and the flavor of the seaweed salad practically blew our minds. My friend Jake said that he would happy if that's all he ever ate.

I also sampled the Philly Roll and one other roll covered in some sort of rowe. Each was its own experience, as sushi should be. Zipango is top-notch sushi.

One of us also order their warm saki and, well, let's just say she really enjoyed it. ;)

The Fantom Four's trip to Zipango was not premeditated, but it was certainly a delightful find. I will return their again and again for sushi with all of my friends and I hope you will too!

Here's the scorecard:

// Menu Selection: 9.0
// Taste: 9.8
// Presentation: 8.9
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 8.8
// Service: 9.7

Zorba's - Southbridge, MA

We were taking a break from a big moving project . We were dog tired and WICKED hungry, as we say here in New England. Our friend, whom we were moving, decided to treat us all to Zorba's, a favorite stop for people in the Southbridge area.

It was a Friday night and we were a party of ten, so we expected to wait. We waited pretty much an hour to sit down. I wasn't too happy about it, but at least that tells you that the place has a good reputation.

The Ambiance

We finally got in and were seated. Inside, it's very chattery and the large wood rafters and wood decor makes for a comfortable atmosphere. There is a full bar and the music selection is 80s-90s pop music.

The Service

It was a large group and I was really busy eating most of the time and still getting over the 1 hour wait, so I didn't really notice the service much. But I don't really have any complaints.

The Food

I have to point out that, as I am writing this, I am digesting 4 pieces of the best takeout pizza I have ever eaten (along with my Corona) and it came from Zorba's. Tonight we got some takeout and the actual visit to the restaurant was several weeks ago. I had a piece of their chicken sausage pizza. I don't know the name, but even the waitresses can't pronounce it. The vegetarian pizza is equally as good with a breaded-and-fried eggplant--SLURP! And even the plain cheese pizza is nothing short of extraordinary.

Anyway, I digress. Back to the visit.

I had some of the calamari that was ordered for the table and it was good, but nothing special. For my entree, I order a gyro because I am a fan. I was dissapointed because the beef/lamb did not seem to me to be freshly shaved from a big, skewered, rotating piece as is the tradition. The meat appeared to be just pre-frozen strips of the meat that was grilled and greasy.

My recommendation for Zorba's is: get the pizza. The pizza is the best pizza you will ever have. I could take or leave everything else. But let me conclude on the positive: Awesome. Pizza.

// Menu Selection: 9.3
// Taste: 8.2
// Presentation: 7.1
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 7.3
// Service: 8.4