I was a little unsure as we drove into the parking lot, because from the outside, the lit up beer signs in the window give the impression of a bar. I just wasn't sure it was going to be a place where I wanted to spend time. Thankfully, Paul suggested we go ahead and go on in and see what it was like.
My impression of the unassuming exterior could not have been more wrong! Dsasumo is warm and welcoming, split into two distinct areas of restaurant and lounge. There was a family dining in the restaurant when we arrived, and children's items on the menu, and I would feel comfortable taking my family there. The restaurant is a little dim, definitely an upscale atmosphere and decor. The bathrooms were clean and well appointed, and the whole place was impeccably clean and neat. We even caught ourselves humming along with the music a few times, which isn't unusual for me, but isn't usual for Paul.
The service was definitely a high point of our visit. The moment we walked in the door we were greeted by a host, who asked us where we would like to be seated and made sure we were comfortably ensconced. Our waiter was very attentive, refilling water promptly, and checking in often enough that we never had to track him down, but sporadically enough that we didn't feel smothered.
The menu was pretty extensive, and contained items from several cultures, including Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. We decided on a variety of items from several different cultures and didn't have long to wait before the food started appearing. The servings were quite generous, and we had plenty leftover for lunch the next day!
One of Paul's favorite things is Miso soup, which is a (usually) flavorful and salty light broth with seaweed, tofu, and onions. He did go in with a bias, because he does have a favorite Miso soup, but I also had to admit that this particular bowl did not pack a huge punch of flavor. It was good, but just not great.
The Edamame, however, was the very best I've ever had in a restaurant. This is one of my favorite treats, and the few times that I've ordered it while dining out I have been very disappointed. This was definitely not one of those disappointments, and was a fabulous treat!
We also ordered two Maki Rolls (I'm not an expert, so I looked up the definition to share with you), which is a type of sushi roll that includes toasted seaweed nori rolled around vinegar-flavored rice and various fillings, including raw seafood and vegetables. The word maki actually means “roll". Our choices were tuna and spicy tuna, and they were excellent. It was fresh, and just melted in my mouth. Served with very fresh and fragrant ginger, and the ever present green wasabi paste, these sushi rolls were fantastic (and so pretty)!
Paul had a House Specialty Item, the Crying Tiger Beef. It's a grilled flank steak served with Thai herb sauce and pickled cabbage salad (from the Dsasumo Menu). The grill marks even leave a bit of a tigerish impression. This beef was tender, with a little bit of a delicate flavor. It melted in my mouth, and was very good, though I think it was a bit too delicate for Paul, who likes a bit of kick. We both fell in love with the pickled cabbage salad, and I came home with a need to uncover this recipe!
My dish, the Korean Bulgoki was a delicious treat. The beef here was also very tender, marinated in a special Korean sauce, and served with vegetables. The rice was the perfect texture, and a wonderful compliment to the dishes.
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