Banbu Sushi Bar and Grill- a restaurant inside the old Movie Theater complex in La Mesa

mmm-yoso!!! is just a humble blog.  Kirk and ed (from Yuma) are busy with life today and Cathy is just blogging about yet another meal.

Hi.  I'm back again.  Remember the old Pacific Theaters on Fletcher Parkway, down the hill from Grossmont Mall?  Well, once the theaters were built right inside the mall, those by the Trolley Station were abandoned, but the building stayed...and now look at it!

Inside and outside, it is decorated beautifully- the sushi bar has 12 chairs and could accommodate a few more...there were five sushi chefs (one of them female...) working constantly, and a couple of television sets behind them. We ordered a couple of "basics", staring with the fried calamari ($6.95)...sliced thin and with a very light batter...the flavor was good, but the calamari was a bit too chewy; maybe a bit overcooked because it was sliced so thin. Still, it was tasty and a good sized portion, accompanied by the spicy Sriracha flavored dipping sauce.

The Mister ordered a lunch special, which started with a fairly large bowl of onion soup (miso is also a choice). Very rich, not salty, not too onion-y, with thinly sliced mushrooms and fried onion bits floating in it. Very nice (and different)

The shrimp and vegetable tempura lunch plate ($9.00). The portion of rice is an excellent size and quality. The California rolls were fresh and made with *real* crab. The tempura itself was very well done, not burned, not greasy, lightly crispy. There were two shrimp and two each of some of the vegetables-mushroom, broccoli, sweet potato and one each of a fresh string bean, onion and green pepper. All of the vegetables were crispy fresh and tasty- the frying did not destroy anything. Very good.

I decided to try the seafood salad ($12.50) -opposed to the $17 Chirashi Sushi-  Don't let this photo fool you: I was trying to be non-conspicuous and this was the only photo I could get. The bottom of this salad bowl was *filled* with seafood pieces; the albacore being the best of all. I liked the salmon, hamachi, ika and tuna also.  Each piece of seafood was extremely fresh and not just some thoughtless 'endpiece' tossed in there. the salad was fresh with a light garlic ginger soy dressing. Again, this was more than enough food.  The photo looks small portion but it isn't.

Oh, the hot tea was *excellent* and free.  I also noticed free refills of soda.

Banbu Sushi Bar and Grill 8555 Fletcher Parkway (between Grossmont Center Drive and Nagel) La Mesa 91942 (619)589-0071 (Closed between lunch and dinner M-Sat) Sunday open at 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Comments

[Carol]

Too bad the calamari was a bit chewy because it looks delicious! Mmm, tempura. I might have to make some as soon as this dang heatwave subsides.

[nhbilly]

If they fried calamari like that mind as well render it to a crisp and make calamari chips out of it.
YUM! ;-) I need to get some sushi this weekend.

[jeffrey c]

Cathy,
looks like good food at a good price. I think the sea food salad was really quite a bargain. That just goes to show you that market forces really do work in driving down prices I just hope the quality doesn't suffer in the long run.

[Cathy]

Hi Carol- Sometimes I *need* the crunch of tempura. The calamari was a little disappointing, yes. I think it was just in the fryer a bit too long for the thin slices. We still ate it all. Great idea Bill-Calamari chips! I want some sushi right now (it is over 106º where I am)..protein and no cooking. You are right JeffreyC, the prices and quality are excellent. I knew we had rice already and just was only a little hesitant about the salad versus chirashi. I was not at all disappointed. Know a bit about economics, do you? :)

[RONW]

no tomatoes in your salad?

[Michael]

Hi Cathy, I haven't diven past this area in awhile now. I will definetly give it a try.

[Carol]

Oh my, 106º is hotter than where I'm at. We broke 104º about an hour ago. I'm with you that sushi sounds really good right about now.

[caninecologne]

great post - i'll be in that area next week so I may just check that place out!

[nhbilly]

Definitely having sushi tomorrow with weather like this 90 degrees! ;-)

[Cathy]

No tomatoes, Ron...but I don't think I have had tomatoes at a Japanese place, ever...and if they would have them, most likely would be cherry or grape tomatoes, (pick-upable with chopsticks)and I don't like those-just like an eyeball bursting in your mouth...
Hi, Michael-Well I see from your site that you have been in NYC and Paris...Do stop in at Banbu, it is quite nice.
Oh Carol, my outside thermometer said 109° at some point yesterday...but it gets *really* cold at night-72°- and the chill gets inside the house...I never liked the water from our new fridge-thought it was too cold. Now I am so happy we have it.
Hey there, CC! Do stop in. We were pleasantly surprised. They have outdoor seating also. Maybe the weather will accomodate you.
Ahahaha, 90°, Bill...such an amateur... :)

[Ada]

Hi Cathy, great place! I visited the place today when they first opened for lunch. (Note: they open at 1pm on Sunday). With 93 degree outside, the chilled fish (I ordered hamachi and sake) tasted wonderful. Thanks for blogging this place.

[Cathy]

Welcome to our blog, Ada. I'm so glad I was able to give you an idea of a place to stop at on this horrid weekend. They do have good food-and air conditioning AND are in East County. So nice for us.

[Marley]

Thank for this review-- I stumbled across this blog, and it's real helpful. I work right up the street at Cost Plus, and I've driven by this place a zillion times... now I know to stop by! Thanks!

(I'm going to remember this blog for other tips, too!)

[Cathy]

Welcome to our blog, Marley! Thanks for the kind words. There are quite a few places I have blogged about within 3 miles of Grossmont Center-just pop the name in the top left "search" box to see if I've mentioned it yet.