East Meets Westchester: Haiku Arrives at Vernon Hills Shopping Center

I continue to make one assertion over and over again: I believe Westchester has the best sushi in the tri-state area and Haiku’s newest location in Eastchester/Scarsdale is further proof of my position. 

My guests and I started with edamame to munch on while we looked over the menu. The steamed soy beans were warm and lightly salted, a perfect starting-off point to a delicious meal. Staple starters such as the miso soup and house salad lived up to the Haiku reputation. The soup was as warm and inviting as the restaurant itself, while the house salad was cool, bright and refreshing. A slice of apple also appeared with the tart and savory ginger dressing.

Another great appetizer was the peppercorn squid—a generous helping of lightly fried squid paired with an equally inviting medley of peppercorns, crispy garlic and crispy onion shavings. Served warm, the dish bursts with flavor when bitten into. It felt like a fun take on the calamari we’ve all become accustomed to. 

The crispy banana shrimp roll was next up on our adventuresome appetizer list. Consisting of crispy warm egg roll-like pods filled with creamy banana and shrimp and covered in shredded coconut, it was as delightful to look at as it was to eat. One might think that the banana would be too sweet to add to a starter, but the pairing maintained the banana flavor without being at all cloying and the shrimp were delicious. 

We ordered the crispy white meat sesame chicken, which was sweet on the outside, juicy and savory on the inside. The chicken had a slight crunch to it and was very good. And, like all of the dishes sampled, it was served in a generous portion.

Haiku really shows its stuff when the subject is sushi or sashimi. The spicy yellowtail rolls and spicy salmon rolls were absolutely addictive. The sashimi deluxe, a large assortment of glistening raw fish, was beautifully arranged on top of shaved ice, with each slice so fresh that you might think it had just surfaced from the sea. 

By the way, the maki combo is a super deal: three different rolls cut and served in 18 delectable pieces.

Also of note, the lounge was so serene—with dim lighting, comfortable seating and attentive staff—that you may actually want to wait a few minutes for your table. We sipped on martinis before dinner.

Speaking of staff, we found the waiters and waitresses all helpful and engaging. The Scarsdale/Eastchester Haiku is a great spot and definitely worth a visit.

Haiku is located at 717 White Plains Road in the Vernon Hills Shopping Center. To make a reservation, call (914) 722-4200 or visit their website, http://haikuasianbistro.com.