Yanagi, Too - TOO good for the mall
Written: Jun 05 '04 (Updated Jul 06 '04)
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Pros: good sushi at good prices, great staff
Cons: Don't expect specialized items
The Bottom Line: Step away from the ordinary mall food - and get some sushi at this hidden treasure.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Yanagi, Too |
When you go to the mall, I'm sure you see them, the chain restaurants stuck in a "food court", unhealthy eateries (for the most part) offering variations on chicken-like nuggets, burgers, pizza and salads 1,000 ways. Most of it isn't very good, but at least it's overpriced and convenient. But like me, you usually avoid Fried Matzo Hut and Chicken Fingers R' Us and head right for the sushi, right? No? Let me guess - no sushi in your food court? Too bad, because the one in mine is a delight.
Yanagi, Too is a small sushi and Japanese food counter service restaurant located in the food court of the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, NJ. Unlike most of the mall fare here, Yanagi, Too offers a tasty and healthy dish for those who venture into the teenage angst haven known as the mall.
[ • the RESTAURANT • ]
Yanagi, Too is like most food court eateries - a counter and display case with shellaced examples of the menu and a price board overhead. Pretty simple display, actually, and all seating is in the main court area. The counter area where you order is always clean and managed at all times, so far as I've seen.
You order at the front of the counter, and the hostesses/servers give your order to the two sushi chefs who make the food right in front of you. Drinks are available from the two juice dispensers at the front of the counter, and utensils are at the ordering area. Basic mall storefront, really.
[ • the FOOD • ]
But that's where the 'typical mall' thing ends. Yanagi, Too has a fairly set menu - the same items are usually available every time you go. You can go with the fried/cooked items like Teriyaki Chicken and California Roll($4.99), if you so choose - but I have never gone that route. The appetizers are fairly typical - miso soup ($1.25), seaweed salad ($2.99) and udon ($4.99).
But Yanagi, Too's specialties are the sushi. Our typical order starts with the Shogun ($21.99), a selection of 32 pieces of sushi and sashimi, usually 2-3 each of shrimp, tuna, yellowtail, eel, egg, salmon, fluke and one or two others. Then we add a tuna handroll ($2.99) and one of their special handrolls (either the Hurricane ($3.59), with yellowtail, avocado, scallion, rice and spicy mayo wrapped in seaweed or the Spider Roll($5.99), a fried softshell crab with rice, spicy mayo and caviar). All the sushi is good, reliable sushi at a decent price. The 3 of us usually stuff ourselves for less than $40 including salads/soups and drinks.
But is it the best sushi? No - but it's better than average, and I've had worse at fancy sit-down restaurants. The rolls are usually very tight and well-made, and the presentation of the Shogun is also done in an attractive fashion - well, considering that it is made in a throw-away container. The miso is pretty generic and sometimes a bit chewy, and the seaweed salad can sometimes come out a little bit icy, but the sushi is always good.
[ • the SERVICE • ]
One of the hazards of the food court restaurants is the service. Manned by teenagers whose mall career can be measured in days, ordering at your typical The Grease Pit or Burger Palace can be a risky - and aggravating - experience. Not so at Yanagi, Too. The staff here has been pretty consistent for a fairly long stretch of time - the same smiling faces greeting us for the last couple of years. And they help add to the restaurant's success - the two "hostesses" remember us and always offer a friendly greeting and good service. But we're not alone, as the smiling reps seem to enjoy helping everyone - even the newbies who are a bit overwhelmed with the choices.
The sushi and rolls are made as you wait, so it can take a while when it's busy. But the wait is worth it, and the appetizers come quickly to hold you over.
[ • final THOUGHTS • ]
Yanagi, Too isn't fancy, and it isn't haute sushi cuisine. But for good, relatively inexpensive sushi, it offers up a haven in a sea of fried and generic fast food. The fact that it is in a mall belies what they have to offer; we make the trip to the mall specifically to hit this place. I don't know that I would leave Philly (and Kisso's) for it, but if you are heading to the mall, make a break from the swill and grab yourself a handroll instead.
[ • for more INFORMATION • ]
Yanagi, Too
2000 Route 38
Cherry Hill, NJ
856-662-9333
no website available
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Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The Shogun is the best bang for the buck at $21.99 for 32 pieces.
Best Suited For: Kids and Families
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 482
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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