Japanese Sushi Restaurants in Smithtown

Smithtown and its immediate surrounding area is host to a small slew of the growing popularity of Sushi restaurants. There are two located right on Main Street within a quick walking distance of each other, and while I myself cannot find anything apparent to distinguish the two, they are nonetheless both equally capable of serving u fresh sushi creations in addition to hibachi-style items. I suppose it is personal preference that would make you choose one over the other. As they are both usually equally crowded during the dinner rush, it may also be that one sushi restaurant just isn’t enough to hold the sushi-eating occupants of Smithtown.

Shiki, and Tomo, both of moderate size and decor, simply decorated with just a few traditionally Japanese pictures and curios to remind you that you are about to dine on Eastern cuisine.

The menus are remarkably similar, from appetizer through dessert, though I suppose there is not much room for experimentation within your standard sushi restaurant.

A good sampling of appetizers generally consists of Harumaki (Japanese Spring Rolls), always tasty unless too greasy, Yakitori (skewered chicken in a teriyaki glaze), also usually a good choice, though I have occasionally received it too dry for my taste, and either Gyoza or Shumai (pork and shrimp dumplings, respectively, the former pan-fried, and the latter steamed. These can be hit or miss depending upon the establishment. I have found them both equally satisfying but otherwise unspectacular at both Tomo and Shiki.

Soups and salads are also available, from your standard green salad which is passable, to more luxurious fare such as seafood salad or tuna avocado salad.

Miso soup is a quick warm treat, but so is a cup of warm sake. Fish broth with mushrooms or a seafood soup is nice for a change.

Now for the main course, the main reason you ventured through those doors. Sushi, in all its delectable, miniscule glory. A tiny treat, the perfect mouthful. A bit of fish, or shellfish perhaps, some cucumber or avocado, maybe even mango. Some spicy mayo, wrap it in seaweed and rice, top with tobiko, and you have a tiny bite-size piece of Japanese perfection, almost as much fun to watch it made as it is to eat it.

If you get a seat close enough to the glass enclosed sushi bar at either restaurant, you can watch the interesting process of how your dinner is created, and view the freshness of the ingredients. The sushi chefs are always friendly and smiling, and take pride in their work. Working with ease and precision, it appears simple and quick, but it takes time to hone their craft, and is a skill not so easily acquired without sufficient practice.

Once again, the selections are for the most part identical, with maybe the slightest of variations of certain ingredient combinations. But since you can also create your own sushi to order, you are not restricted to the menu. Serving small, lunch-sized portions, to bento boxes, to dinner platters and giant sushi boats, your appetite is sure to be sufficiently defeated.

Should you feel like skipping the sushi, there is also the standard, familiar selection of steak, poultry, and shrimp and seafood teriyaki hibachi dinners, as well as tempura.

Prices are also nearly identical, so with all the similarities discussed, and with these two restaurants, Shiki and Tomo, within such close distance of each other, which would be the better choice?

Pick whichever one you can find closer parking to that day.