Sumo 2

Name: Sumo 2 (formerly Fusion Sushi-Boat) (since closed)
Address: 150 University Avenue, Palo Alto, California, 94301
Phone: (650) 324-9536
Web site: none; menu available here
Date & Time visited: Saturday, March 19, 2005, 8:00 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Three-item Bento box (teriyaki chicken, tempura shrimp, some kind of baked fish) [Jen], 10-piece chef's choice nigiri sampler [me], miso soup.

Service: Very good. We'd been to this place once before, but since then they have changed their name and remodeled. Significantly, the sushi boat has been removed. The entire floor staff greets each patron entering with a shout, presumably in Japanese, which does tend to get tiresome after a little while. Points for enthusiasm, though. Two or three different wait staff people served us during our meal, and they seemed to communicate very well; no matter who was answering questions, serving food, or refilling drinks, they coordinated between themselves.

My only disappointment was the squid nigiri, which is generally my least favorite anyway. It was somehow unpleasantly chewy and mushy at the same time, but at least there was only one piece. On the other hand, the maguro (tuna) and sake (salmon) were excellent, as was the miso soup. We split a carafe of good sake--a very reasonable $12 for four tiny glassfulls each--and the water refills were prompt and plentiful.

Would we go back: I think so. The decor is just funky; imagine a combination sushi restaurant and sports bar and you've kind of got it. There were three TVs mounted around the restaurant showing NCAA basketball, 70s soft-rock playing in the background, and black glittery fabric on the walls. Nonetheless, the food and service are very good, so I think we will be back again.