Nori Sushi & Japanese Grill
Catering to nearby Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Nori emphasizes a casual atmosphere and "today's hottest music," rather than an Asian-themed ambiance. The menu offers Dashi (Japanese broth) soups, tempura and grilled appetizers and entrees featuring vegetables, seafood, chicken, beef and pork. But sushi is the main attraction--shashimi (sliced and served without rice bed or roll), nigiri (little rolls of rice topped with a raw filet of seafood) and vegetables and seafood wrapped in seaweed and rice rolls. Beer (American and Japanese), wine and saki are available. Prices for entrees range from $8 for lunch (served 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.) to $29 for dinner (5 to 9 p.m Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday). Rolls are $4 to $12 and grilled items are $8 to $9.
Nori Sushi & Japanese Grill
1025 Century Dr.
Edwardsville, IL 62025
(618) 659-9400
norisushi.net
Wasabi
Wasabi opened its first restaurant in downtown St. Louis in 2003 and quickly made a name for itself in local "best of" lists. The Edwardsville location is its third restaurant and its only site in Metro East. Seaweed salad, baby octopus and squid are regular offerings. Bento boxes offering a California roll or teriyaki entree with rice and stir-fried vegetables are available for $8 to $10, half the price of the same items a la carte. Lunch prices are around $10, dinner around $20. Its full bar includes an extensive list of local microbrews as well as signature cocktails such as Asian Pear Saki Mojito. This Wasabi location has an outdoor patio. Dress is casual. Shorts are fine, but no sleeveless shirts on men. Monday through Thursday lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 5-9 p.m.
Wasabi
100 S. Buchanan St.
Edwardsville, IL 62025
(618) 655-9880
wasabistl.com
Osaka Sushi Cafe
Just south of the Nickel Plate Trail, which connects Edwardsville to Pontoon Beach, is Granite City, a blue-collar town of steel mills, factories and the Osaka Sushi Cafe. This family-owned cafe features more than 80 items and offers carryout as well as outdoor seating and a full bar. Casual shorts and hiking boots are welcome. Rolls range in price from $2.50 to $25. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Osaka Sushi Cafe
3473 Nameoki Rd.
Granite City, IL 62040
(618) 451-4825
Sushi Tatsu
Farther south in Fairview Heights is an unimposing cafe owned and operated by the same family that owns the adjacent jewelry store. The food has had Metro East sushi-natics raving since it opened in August 2008. The most popular items include shashimi selections, volcano roll and the Tatsu special, a California roll featuring warm scallops. Most surprisingly wonderful is the cheesecake tempura topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup for dessert. Typical lunch checks are $8 to $10 and dinners checks run $10 to $18. Beer and wine are served. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The atmosphere is "we're-all-family-here casual," with wait-staff willing to answer questions from newbies as well as aficionados.
Sushi Tatsu
5725 N Illinois St.
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
(618) 277-5554
