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Mizu Fusion Sushi & Thai (Rockford, IL) Barely mediocre
Mizu Fusion Sushi & Thai
3801 N. Perryvile Road
Rockford, IL
815-633-5555
www.mizufusionsushi.com
Mizu Fusion – Sushi & Thai is a relative newcomer to the Rockford area. Having already dined at (and highly enjoyed) JMK Nippon and Spider Sushi, we decided to try Mizu Fusion. (We had already tried and dismissed Shogun as being too Americanized and commercial.) We are big fans of sushi and have made it a point to try every sushi restaurant.
We arrived around 6pm and except for us, there were only two other tables in use. An hour later, and the place was still almost completely empty with maybe 4 or 5 tables in use.
Before ordering our meal, we decided to try their sake. We love sake, and usually order two large bottles when dining at JMK Nippon. Here at Mizu Fusion you order by either the small or large “glass” which is actually a small or slightly-larger size carafe. The sake at Mizu was some of the weakest we have ever tried. Not worth the money.
As we also enjoy Thai food, we decided to start our meal with two Thai soups rather than our usual Miso. We ordered Tomkha Gai Soup Thai soup and Tom Yum Goong Soup. While both of these are marked with a “red pepper” which stands for “hot & spicy – ask for spicy levels” in the TAKE OUT menu this disclaimer was no where to be found in the DINE IN menu. So we had no idea how spicy the soup(s) would be. As it turned out, the coconut milk in the Tomkha Gai cut the spiciness nicely, but the spiceness of the Tom Yum was overpowering and almost inedible.
We then ordered one of Mizu’s Special Rolls, the Pink Roll (a seafood combination) which is also not on the TAKE OUT menu or on their website. In fact, many of the entrees and items are found on one menu, but not the other, and the same thing applies to the online menu. We cannot tell you how the Pink Roll tasted, as never received it. We kept asking our inattentive server about it, and she kept telling us that it would be “coming soon” but by the time we left, we gave up. As it should be, the Pink Roll (approximately $13) was taken off our bill.
As for the sushi, it was barely mediocre. The 18 pieces (tuna, shrimp, eel, salmon, etc.) were small, bland, and (if presentation makes a difference) unattractively presented. Small, unadorned strips of fish were laid across small oblong mounds of sushi rice. There was no wasabi underneath the fish on top of the rice, as is usually found in other Japanese restaurants.
With the sake, soup, and sushi our bill came to almost $60.00. We were extremely disappointed with the meal, and will not be returning to Mizu Fusion again. There are other, much better places to spend our money then at Mizu Fusion.
Don’t waste your money.
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Spider Sushi Bar
4415 Harrison Ave Ste 2, Rockford, IL 61108
Rockford, IL - India House
My husband and I enjoy ethnic food so last night we decided to try India House in Loves Park. The place was nicely decorated, softly lit, with Indian music playing quietly in the background. It was in the afternoon and the dinner crowd had not yet arrived although by the time we left, people were starting to show up.
Not being familiar with Indian cusine, we asked our waitress for help. The young lady, probably the owner’s daughter was personable and helpful. We asked what were her favorite dishes. After finding out if we liked vegetarian, chicken, lamb, seafood, etc. she recommended two delicious entrees – one with shrimp cooked in a spicy, white sauce, the other was lentils cooked with herbs and spices. She also recommended the saffron rice, as well as a chewy, flat bread topped with seasonings and filled with a tasty garlic mix.
While we waited for our meal, she brought us a plate of a thin, crispy bread and three different dipping sauces ranging from sweet to spicy. We had fun trying the different flavors as well as mixing them for a new taste.
The entrees were served in large bowls each with its own heat source which kept everything at the proper temperature. It was like eating a hearty, home-cooked meal. Everything was delicious!
To accompany our meal, we both tried and enjoyed the chi (tea made with milk and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves). My husband also ordered one of their many Indian beers which we both enjoyed.
Our only complaint was the number of shrimp in the entree – we wish there had been more of them.
We had a good time and will be coming back again.
India House
6430 E. Riverside
Loves Park, IL
815-637-4771
Rockford IL restaurant
Is this Charles Street location owned by Maria's on the west side of Rockford?
Maria's Italian Restaurant
828 Cunningham St
Rockford, IL 61102-2866
(815) 968-6781
Coffee & Bagels
We will be spending about 5 days at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Avenue NW) and are looking for a decent coffee shop that serves bagels. (aside from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts)
Last year, we ended up at Union Station but were wondering if there was anything else within a short walk from our hotel.
Thanks.
JERRY'S "FAMOUS" DELI on Topanga
In the past, when in LA on vacation, we have made it a point to eat at Jerry’s “Famous Deli” on Ventura Blvd in Studio City (near, but not in Topanga).
We decided to give Jerry’s a try last night (on Father’s Day) only to find a half empty parking lot. All the other restaurants were overflowing with diners, but Jerry’s was not. That should have warned us, but we decided to give it a try anyway.
The place has a rundown look, the autographed photos on the wall are gone, and the booths are shabby and worn. The place was about 1/3 filled. The bakery and deli selection in the front was sparse.
The “new” menu has changed considerably – much fewer choices and more advertising. The sandwiches (which used to be HUGE) now come in two sizes – LA Size (4 oz) and NY Size (7 oz).
The complimentary appetizer plate (dill pickles and green tomatoes) are no longer served.
We decided to share a corned beef sandwich on rye and split a bowl of their Hungarian Goulash. The goulash (only served on Sundays now) was so over-spiced as to be unedible.
The sandwich looked and tasted like store-bought, served on thin cut light rye. The corned beef was thin and processed and served in a pressed rectangle between the two slices of bread. You had to break up the cube of corned beef and spread out the thinly sliced corned beef to cover the bread. The sandwich was served without a pickle.
The side dishes (cole slaw or potato salad, baked beans or chili) all tasted like something from the supermarket – tasteless and bland.
We asked the waiter if things had changed – he said that the owner had died and the son had taken over.
We quickly finished our sandwich and left.
We would NEVER return nor would we recommend anyone else go to Jerry’s.
Las Vegas - catering for 2 people?
That's exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you so much!!!
Las Vegas - catering for 2 people?
My parents live in Las Vegas, They are both in their 80's and my mother is in a wheelchair. (I live in Illinois.)
I would love to have something special catered for them in celebration of Mother's Day. My parents obviously have difficulty getting around, so having a chef and server come to their home would be wonderful.
I did this for my dad's birthday last year and he loved it. The problem is, I do not remember who I had hired, so I have no way of recontacting them.
Can anyone recommend a caterer who would do that? Something special for Mother's Day?
Thanks.
Mikasu Sushi Lounge And Grill [Skokie]
Yes, it is in the shopping center -
http://www.urbanspoon.com/u/map/1414384/restaurant/Chicago/Makisu-Sushi-Lounge-Grill-Skokie
Mikasu Sushi Lounge And Grill [Skokie]
We noticed this new recently opened restaurant.
Mikasu Sushi Lounge And Grill
7150 Carpenter Road
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 677-9030
Has anyone tried it yet? How was it?
Land O Lakes?
We will be at Caliente (Land O Lakes) for a couple of weeks and are looking for some local places to dine… preferably something light and healthy.
We don’t mind driving up to 30 minutes.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thank you.
An unusual question about salads
Subway is an option, but even the 6in sub is too much bread for us.
Wwhat we really want was a salad suggestion to replace the McDonald's Asian Grilled Chicken Salad.
.
An unusual question about salads
I know this is a long shot, but what the heck…
We used to enjoy the Asian Grilled Chicken Salad at McDonald’s. It was actually pretty good and offered a quick way for healthy fast food. But when we checked today, they no longer carry this salad.
Can anyone recommend a good (healthy) salad from another fast food restaurant?
We travel frequently for business and are looking for something easily accessible, fast and yet something healthy for us.
Thanks.
Ham Bone
Due to a lack of good butcher shops, we usually buy our ham bone(s) at a place called Heavenly Ham.
http://www.heavenlyham.com/Corporate/Index.asp
Here are their locations:
http://www.heavenlyham.com/Corporate/StateLocations.asp?stateAbb=IL
Wildfish in Arlington Heights
Last Friday night, we decided to try Wildfish in Arlington Heights. Based on the positive reviews we had read in Chowhounds, we expected excellent food. What we got was mediocre at best. We go out for sushi almost every week and are familiar with good Japanese food.
We started our meal with two bowls of miso soup. The soup was thin and watery and had an oily slick on the top which would not dissipate no matter how much we tried to stir up the soup. The tofu was sparse and tiny.
We ordered the Red Phoenix (spicy tuna over snow crab) Specialty Maki Roll. The Spicy Tuna was ground up (which was ground similar to Steak Tartar) and tasted vaguely fishy, but could not be called spicy. The snow crab was tasteless and at first we thought it was rice.
We then ordered Nigiri Sushi (Smoked Salmon, Big-Eye Tuna, Salmon Roe, Scallop, and Crab) which was ok, but nothing special.
We were not impressed with Wildfish and would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. We have always relied on reviews on Chowhound and have found them to be very accurate…. except this time.
Anyone been to Chaihanna in Buffalo Grove?
Thank you for your input.
Looks like a great place to visit.
Thank you for the link, too.
Anyone been to Chaihanna in Buffalo Grove?
We read about Chaihanna (Russian & Uzbekistan) and wanted to know if anyone had eaten there... and if so what did you think of it?
We will be in town for the weekend and thought about going there for dinner.
What's your opinion?
Thanks.
marcy
Chaihanna
19 E. Dundee Road @ Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, IL
Der Rathskeller (Rockford, IL)
It had been our custom to go to Der Rathskeller on Friday nights and enjoy their Dunkle beer, Reuben Sandwich, Spaetzle Soup, and Lyonnaise Potatoes. Last night, we ordered our usual but what we got was not what we expected.
The Reuben was served on a white-ish, thick cut bread, unlike the light rye they had used before. We don’t know when they changed, but it was not the same type of bread. On previous orders at their restaurant, the light rye bread was thinner sliced, had a dark, chewy crust, and Caraway seeds.
The Spaetzel Soup was bland and had no meat in it. In previous visits, there were delicious chucks of meat in the soup. Since we were going to share an order, we told the waitress we wanted a bowl of soup. Instead we were served a small cup with a packet containing two crackers. When we stopped the waitress and explained that we had ordered a bowl rather than a cup, she exchanged it, but a few more crackers would have been a nice touch as the soup was for 2 people, rather than 1. There was no accompanying bowl of German breads either, as there had been in the past. The bowl of soup was also meatless.
The Lyonnaise Potatoes (although we asked for a full order – for both of us to share) was served in a small cup. We know from previous visits, that a full order of Lyonnaise Potatoes was usually served in an oblong plate with more than enough for two people to share. The small cup had barely enough for one person, although we were still charged the full price order.
When paying our check, we explained the differences, but were told that "everything was the same as it was before". By the time we got home, we were more disallusioned, so we called the restaurant to ask them about what happened. Someone was supposed to “get back to us” but no one did.
Apparently Der Rathskeller has decided to start cutting back and going cheap. We used to be regular patrons of this restaurant, but after our experience last night, it is doubtful if we will ever come back.
Rockford IL restaurant
... and don't forget KFC being voted "Best Chicken" in Rockford.
Thank goodness we're so close to I-90 and the rest of the world.
Ella's Deli (Madison)
Thank you for your courteous response. You are right, in that Ella's is more suited for families with children, but it can also be a delightful diversion for us older folks, too.
Coming from a small town in northern Illnois (where there are no delis) it was fun to enjoy deli food again.
It was not the best deli food we'd ever had, but it was good enough that we'd go back again the next time we were in town.
Ella's Deli (Madison)
Always on the look-out for the unique and unsual, and based on the many Chowhound posts, we decided to try Ella's Deli in Madison.
The first thing you see on driving up is a big, colorful Carousel with prancing wooden horses painted in a rainbow of colors. On walking inside, you are spellbound by the diverse collection of animated displays. Everywhere you look you find something to catch your eye and remind you of your childhood. Everything is bright, colorful and fun to watch. Everywhere you look something is moving, flying turning, or rollilng.
Although the restaurant was crowded (around 4pm on a Saturday) we were seated almost immediately. Our polite and friendly waitress appeared right away and took our drink orders (2 diet cokes with a shot of vanilla) while we read the menu.
Having enjoyed deli food in Chicago and Los Angeles, we quickly looked for our favorite dishes. We decided to start with a bowl of Chicken Matzo Ball Soup, followed by a Corned Beef Sandwich w/Potato Salad. We also added a piece of Kugel.
The chicken soup was delicious, and the matzo ball was tender but not too soft. The corned beef sandwich was good, but could have been served on a darker rye bread. The kugel was sweet and moist, with just enough crunchiness to the outer egg noodles. Everything had a delicious home-made taste.
We have no young children of our own, we usually do not frequent places that are so kid-friendly, but we enjoyed the look of wonderment and amazement on the faces of the children, who were well behaved and not a distraction.
We enjoyed our meal and hope to return the next time we're in Madison.
Ella's Deli
2902 E Washington Ave
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 241-5291
http://www.ellas-deli.com/
Quad Cities - Harris Pizza
There are three locations that have "sit down" - the one in Rock Island, the one in Bettendorf, and one of the multiple locations in Davenport.
Light Dining in Indianapolis
Thanks for the heads-up about Mug N Bun.
Thanks to Chowhounds we have more than enough to try without that one.
Light Dining in Indianapolis
Thanks everyone! Based on your suggestions and further reading here on Chowhound, we have come up with a possible list:
Mugs N Bun
Mahcu Picchu
Abyssinia
Shapiro's Deli
Cairo Cafe
Guatelinda
Rick's Cafe
Union Jack
Dawson's on Main
Now, it's just a matter of taste and time each night. I'll be sure to post later this month, after we've returned, to let you know where we went and how it was.
Thanks.
Light Dining in Indianapolis
We will be spending a weekend at the Comfort Inn & Suites (5855 Rockville Road).
We are not familiar with the area, so have no idea what "neighborhood" or locale would be closest to our location.
Can anyone recommend some lighter fare - for breakfast and for meals?
Ethnic and the unusual would be wonderfull, too.
Not too expensive, hopefully.
Thanks.
Light Dining in Indianapolis
We will be spending a weekend at the Comfort Inn & Suites (5855 Rockville Road).
Can anyone recommend some lighter fare - for breakfast and for meals?
Ethnic and the unusual would be wonderfull, too.
Not too expensive, hopefully.
Thanks.
Denver, CO question
Thanks everyone - great responses all.
Now I know we'll enjoy the weekend.
Denver, CO question
We will be spending the weekend at the Holiday Inn [15550 E. 40th Avenue).
We will have a car, and are looking for ethnic food in the area. Nothing too expensive, but really enjoy trying something unusual.
Also interested in lighter fare - good salads, deli, etc.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much.
Crabs outside of Annapolis
Fried salmon skin is terrific. We had it in a Japanese restaurant served as a garnish over salad. It was so good, that now when we have grilled salmon at home we also scrape off the skin and toast it.
