Yokohama Restaurant, Deceptively Simple

Overview:  The main aim of any cuisine is to create enjoyment. is a star at creating enjoyment and making the most of seasonal offerings . Each item on the menu speaks of great variety and  displays  extravagant  hospitality. The food is subtle, delicate and aromatic. The goal is to prepare foods that are light and seasonal in a style that allows the natural flavors to be enhanced through serious minimalism.

Décor: Yokohama is located in a lovely brick building. The interior is cozy with about seven tables and a sushi counter. There are framed paper-mache kimonos along one wall. Most of the tables line the walls and have access to the windows and natural lighting. On nice days you can take your meal on the patio. 

Drinks: Sake is an ancient beverage that is best drunk in the year that it is bottled. It is a perfect accompaniment with seafood and because much of the menu includes some form of fish, it is a great pairing option. One can enjoy sake both cold and warm.  Yokohama offers an array of sake choices for its patrons, as well as beer and plum wine. Hot sake ($4.95 to $5.95); Ozeki cold sake ($7.95 to 10.95); Karatamba cold sake ($12.95); Jyunmal cold sake ($19.95); Kaguyahime ($29.95); Nanburyu ($39.95); and Nigori unfiltered sake ($12.95).  Plum wine ($5.50); beer Kirin or Sapporo ($4.95 to $6.95); and non-alcoholic beer ($4.95).  Bottled water ($2.50); Calistoga ($2.50); ice tea ($1.95); apple juice ($2.50); lemonade ($1.95) and soft drinks ($1.95) are available.

Appetizer: Appetizers include items such as steamed gyoza ($4.95);  a choice of tuna (white, hamachi, and bonito tataki for $15.95). They are designed to be easy hand-to-mouth treats. Try items such as salmon teriyaki ($), baked green mussels ($7.95) and spicy green mussels ($6.95); chicken teriyaki ($4.95);  marinated squid ($4.95); chicken and vegetable skewers are other small-plate options.

Entrees: Yokohama’s bento box provides all the elements for a complete feast with a beginning, middle and end. The beginning of your box meal includes gyoza and California roll. The middle with something grilled or steamed. Some good options are chicken ($13.95) or teriyaki-style salmon ($14.95). Finally, the end of the meal finishes with something pickled, water melon, and/or rice and miso. Sushi is all the rage for folks going to Japanese restaurants. There is a grand list of the sushi rolls, which includes sushi classics filled with fatty, white-pink flesh. Try the New York , spider, spicy tuna, spicy salmon, and rock-n-roll ( $5.95 each). The special rolls include things like the sun rise, which consists of hamachi, tobiko, and quail egg ($); volcano, which is a spicy scallop paired with more scallops ($10.95); the crazy, consisting of  five kinds of fish ($10.95); and a seven-fish role called the yokomama house roll ($16.95).

Sides: Many Japanese sides are a gentle preparation of vegetables including edamame ($3.95); cold tofu ($4.95); kelp salad ($ 3.95); cucumber salad ($3.95); and sunomono, consisting of seaweed, cucumber, shrimp and crab ($6.95). Simple and tasty salads like the seafood salad ($6.95); and green salad ($2.95) with miso and ginger dressing. For a side or a single item nibble at vegetables offered on the menu like broccoli, fermented soy beans,  pickled Radishes, avocado, cucumber, plum, spinach, dried squash; shitaki mushroom ($3.50 each).

Desserts: There is no dessert menu, but mochi, a Japanese  confection made from sweetened sticky rice and filled with ice cream is available to end a meal.

Service: The service was pleasant and hospitable. You will be well looked after.

Signature Dish: The Hawaiian poki salad with its beautiful and colorful appearance is a patron favorite.  It consists of  a combination of green salad, fresh cut tuna samishi, with fish roe garnishing the top ($9.95 or $13.95).

Yokohama

336 N. Santa Cruz Ave.

Chef: John Im and Ben Lee

Cost: $15.00 to $50.00