Globefish reels in great sushi
Kathy Richardier, For The Calgary Herald
Published: Thursday, July 27, 2006
Did you know that globefish is another name for puffer fish? Have you ever seen a puffed-up pufferfish? Very scary. There are parts of this dude that are lethal, but the Japanese consider the meat of the puffer a delicacy. Be very careful.
Meanwhile, the new Japanese restaurant where Saigon Broadway Vietnamese restaurant used to be on 14th St. N.W., Globefish Sushi & Izakaya, does not serve globefish. The closest they get is a Globefish roll combo plate consisting of a California rolls, dynamite rolls and spicy tuna rolls. We should all be thankful.
My diningmate Kate and I met there for dinner recently and Kate, who lives in Vancouver, told me that Izakaya restaurants are the new Spanish tapas bar -- Japanese-style. Izakaya is a sake bar, where tapas-sized dishes are served with sake for a lively, relaxing after-work crowd in Japan. They are big in Japan and big in Vancouver, and now we have one in Calgary.
The menu is all pictures, and it offers a wide range of interesting appetizers, salads, tempura, noodle bowls, sushi, sashimi and the usual rolls plus Globefish "original" rolls.
How could we pass up something called a Delicious Roll ($13.95)? It seemed to be the most popular roll on the menu: who would not want a delicious roll, after all? It arrived, pyramid-style, topped with crunchy, deep fried noodles. Scallops, crab, avocado and papaya were wrapped with prawn with a drizzle of wasabi cream all around. Totally delicious.
A Crunch and Munch roll is a variation on the tempura-style prawn theme with the addition of crunchy cucumber and tobiko, all wrapped with unagi (barbecued eel) and avocado, more wasabi cream drizzled 'round ($12.95). Also delicious.
Salty edamame (steamed soybeans) is always a favourite ($4.95) and a salad of tataki tuna (quickly seared on the outside, raw on the inside) on lettuce, topped with beet "hair" and deep fried slivers of lotus root was refreshing ($8.95).
Creamy tofu squares are crisply fried and served garnished with chile and scallion "hair" ($6.95).
Assorted tempura, with prawns and vegetables, is as fresh, light and crisp as you want ($8.95). Mmmmm, this is good food.
Now, because this is an Izakaya place, the drink feature is saki of all types and prices. There is also Japanese vodka, plus one each Jackson Triggs white and red wine. I was taken by the description of one of the sakes: "soft, tangy, ripe citrus fruit" and we ordered it.
Globefish was Busy for a Tuesday night and delightfully lively, we really liked the Globefish ambiance and food.
Go and eat well, share a bottle of chilled sake or vodka -- it's summer.
Globefish Sushi & Izakaya
326 - 14 St. N.W.
521-0222
- Food: good
- Service: pleasant, efficient
- Specialty: sushi and sake
- Prices: $4.95 to $24.95
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday to Friday; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., daily
- Credit: Visa, Amex, Mastercard, Interac
- Reservations: accepted
- Parking: lot next to restaurant
- Wheelchair access: no
- Washrooms: clean, not wheelchair accessible
- No-smoking area: no smoking at all
- Licensed: yes
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By John Gilchrist
