Restaurant Roulette: Edamami Del Mar
Address: 2282 Carmel Valley Rd., Del Mar, CA 92014 Across from the Torrey Pines Lagoon
Phone number:858-755-4777
Website: http://www.edamami.com/
Rating:5 out of 5 There is also an “all day happy hour” where certain rolls, drinks, and appetizers are half off.
This unassuming Japanese restaurant is located off the beaten path just in-between Del Mar and Solana Beach. It’s a quiet and tranquil environment decorated with minimalist Japanese themes. The interior of the restaurant is warm and inviting with several rooms where you and your guest can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner in a serene atmosphere. The rich mahogany wood and other various wood grain colors give the place an earthy feel. If you prefer the atmosphere of the outdoors, you are invited to sit out on the patio for a view of the lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. For the social butterflies or passersby trying to get a quick drink before they head home, there is a bar in the main entrance that is well stocked and well-lit. They have beer on tap, as well signature cocktails that would tickle any girls fancy.
I was greeted immediately as I stepped through the threshold of the restaurant with friendly faces. The hostess seated my guest and I promptly and provided us with menus and specials of the day. Another waiter came to us immediately, on cue and provided us glasses of ice water. He pointed out the “all day happy hour” on the menu that had so many choices that I couldn’t really decide on one thing. This special menu consisted of popular rolls (crunchy tempura, Philly, rainbow), sashimi, appetizers and alcohol. The variety of cuisine here is vast and the menu has a formidable amount of fresh and cooked sushi rolls, sashimi, bento, ramen, soba, and other Japanese delights. Their list also provided good images of the rolls, which is important if you are visual person and need to see what you are getting. It helps set the expectations of what is to come before the meal. My waiter also said they are willing to cater to special requests. I was able to place my orders easily as the waiter knew his menu pretty well. I was able to make health conscious and delicious food choices that fit the special “happy hour” menu. When the food came to the table, the presentation was stunning. I was especially delighted with the large portions. An eight piece rainbow roll with fresh seafood made a picturesque foodie moment for me. Brightly orange-colored pieces of salmon, shrimp, red albacore were gorgeous pieces of eye candy that would make a sushi lover swoon. The flavors were creamy and had great texture on the tongue that would just immediately melt in your mouth. I would recommend the deep-fried ninja roll that was essentially a Philly roll encased in a jalapeño and deep-fried in tempura batter. Think of a Japanese jalapeno popper. It was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted and I don’t eat spicy foods.. Everything served to us was quick, beautifully presented and smelled heavenly.
The price and the service can’t be beat at this hidden gem. The “all day happy hour” is certainly an attractive feature for sushi lovers who want more bang out of their buck. This means you can get a fresh, colorful rainbow roll for merely a fraction of the normal cost. I would recommend anything on the menu as I found hardly any issues with flavors or textures. If you want a little getaway from the usual loud and boisterous sushi bar, come to Edamami. It may be your perfect Zen for dinner.
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