2008 Woodie Awards
Northampton's newest sushi place is splendid
Kate Robinson
Issue date: 9/26/02 Section: Features
I'm always a little scared right before I eat sushi. No matter what it is, and no matter how much I loved it the last time I ate it, my chopsticks hover momentarily before taking the plunge. Sometimes I'm bitterly disappointed and vow never again to brave raw fish. Other times, I am amply rewarded for my courage. Such was the case Friday night at Osaka, the new Japanese restaurant on Old South Street, off of Main Street in downtown Northampton.
The small restaurant is located in a hilltop building that affords it a pleasant view from the side balcony. The interior is reminiscent of your typical Japanese restaurant: light on adornments, big on peaceful eating. Traditional Japanese music played softly in the background, while customers ate a tatami table or sat at the sushi bar. My table was located on the balcony, a cozy little nook that was conducive to conversation.
I perused the ample menu by the light of hanging lanterns, while I sipped green tea from an earthenware mug. Osaka offers a wide array of sushi and hibachi, as well as teriyaki, udon, donburi and other traditional Japanese foods, making selection difficult. The wait staff was more than tolerant of our indecision and continued to be prompt in refilling water and tea.
The owner, Marc, and his business partner Paul opened the restaurant on June 14. Originally from China, Marc spent ten years working at a Japanese restaurant in New York. "I came [to Northampton] one time with my friends," he said. "I saw a lot. It's a small town, but [like New York] there are people [and foods] from all over the world: Japan, India, Italy, but I thought the town needed more sushi."
According to Marc, there are no other restaurants in the immediate area that serve only Japanese food. Ichiban serves Thai and Korean in addition to Japanese, while Teapot offers both Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Specializing in a single cuisine allows Osaka to provide its custumers with excellent food. When I finally decided on an appetizer of gyoza ($4.50), a bowl of miso soup ($1.75), a futo maki roll ($4.75), and a white tuna sushi a la carte ($2.00); I found that it was fresh, clean, and flavorful.
The small restaurant is located in a hilltop building that affords it a pleasant view from the side balcony. The interior is reminiscent of your typical Japanese restaurant: light on adornments, big on peaceful eating. Traditional Japanese music played softly in the background, while customers ate a tatami table or sat at the sushi bar. My table was located on the balcony, a cozy little nook that was conducive to conversation.
I perused the ample menu by the light of hanging lanterns, while I sipped green tea from an earthenware mug. Osaka offers a wide array of sushi and hibachi, as well as teriyaki, udon, donburi and other traditional Japanese foods, making selection difficult. The wait staff was more than tolerant of our indecision and continued to be prompt in refilling water and tea.
The owner, Marc, and his business partner Paul opened the restaurant on June 14. Originally from China, Marc spent ten years working at a Japanese restaurant in New York. "I came [to Northampton] one time with my friends," he said. "I saw a lot. It's a small town, but [like New York] there are people [and foods] from all over the world: Japan, India, Italy, but I thought the town needed more sushi."
According to Marc, there are no other restaurants in the immediate area that serve only Japanese food. Ichiban serves Thai and Korean in addition to Japanese, while Teapot offers both Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Specializing in a single cuisine allows Osaka to provide its custumers with excellent food. When I finally decided on an appetizer of gyoza ($4.50), a bowl of miso soup ($1.75), a futo maki roll ($4.75), and a white tuna sushi a la carte ($2.00); I found that it was fresh, clean, and flavorful.