An Adventure in Fine Sushi

With a central location on Holmes Avenue since October of last year, you have likely noticed Bushido. But have you given it a try on an evening out? If not, it is well worth a visit. Owner Steve Stephanus, with some added help and creative contributions from a dedicated staff, has created a bold and unique restaurant. Before moving to Idaho Falls, Mr. Stephanus learned to prepare Japanese cuisine while working at a Japanese restaurant in New York City. Bushido is his second restaurant as previously, he was the owner and operator of Shogun Sushi in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

In general, Bushido offers Japanese cuisine with a nice selec­tion of sushi, noodles, tempura, and hibachi grill possibilities. But what sets the restaurant apart is the owner’s confident willingness to experiment with the art of flavor, presentation and theatrics. The artful tradition of making sushi is one that deserves respect. Mr. Stephanus certainly respects the tradition, but he also refuses to be bound by it. Case in point is the Kamikaze roll. The Bushido chefs have been instructed to never create the same Kamikaze roll twice. Your Kamikaze roll might consist of a combination of spicy tuna, salmon, crab, tempura shrimp, to add another texture, and a mod­est drizzle of wasabi cream sauce. Then again, you might find your­self dining on a combination of unagi (eel,) scallops, avocado and crab, wrapped tightly in a roll which has been briefly fried tem­pura style, topped with shitake mushrooms and drizzled with a firecracker cream sauce. To add emphasis to these artistic creations, Bushido’s reserves a variety of attractive, ceramic bowls and plates for use in the roll’s presentation. The result is a stunning dish that excites the retina and delights the palette. The Kamikaze roll is well worth the price of $15 and combined with a small appetizer, perhaps a side plate of sushi pre­pared in a more traditional manner, would certainly provide a satisfying meal.

Diners who are new to sushi, or sim­ply take a more risk-adverse approach to eating, need not worry. Bushido offers plenty of other beautiful and tasty dishes. Fried rice and vegetables with your choice of beef, chicken, scallops and shrimp, to name a few, are available at the Hibachi grill. Because there is a limited amount of seating surrounding the grill, it would be wise to call ahead and reserve a spot. Once seated, diners watch as their order is skillfully and enter­tainingly prepared before their eyes. Hint, you may see a little juggling, knife flip­ping and food tossing. Like Bushido’s sushi chefs, the Hibachi chefs are always adding to their knife slicing, bowl throwing and spatula tossing skills. You are guaranteed to see something different with every visit.

Away from the swash-buckle atmo­sphere of the grill and sushi bar is a sepa­rate, more intimate dining section. Here, visitors will find private tables surrounding a relaxing, indoor koi pond with slightly more subdued lighting. Whether your plans for the evening anticipate some excitement and social­izing or a more intimate din­ing experience with a par­ticular individual, Bushido is well worth a visit.

Bushidos

688 N Holmes Ave | 525-9888

www.bushidoif.com

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.