Secret Sushi Returns

Takeshi Uchida at Fresh


Grocery store sushi doesn’t usually  blow my skirt up, but when Takeshi Uchida’s behind the tobiko, well, that’s a different story entirely.

The former Go Fish and current Hana Japanese itamae will be serving up his own freshly-made sushi from 11:30am to 2pm Monday through Friday at Fresh by Lisa Hemenway (5755 Mountain Hawk Way, Santa Rosa, 595-1048), an upscale gourmet market that features both prepared and fresh foods, a casual cafe and coffee shop.

Takeshi-san will be moonlighting behind the counter during lunch for eat-in orders and will prepare pre-mad takeout sushi for the late afternoon and evening crowd. With more than 20 years in the biz, Uchida’s skills are as sharp as his knives, putting him (at least in my book) in a similar league with the venerable Sam Ogura of Yao-Kiku; Ken Tominaga of Hana Japanese and Hiro Yamamoto of Hiro’s in Petaluma.

Cindy Pawlcyn’s fish-centric Go Fish recently changed format, dropping sushi from the menu and reopening in late Augustas a Mediterranean bistro called Brassica. Pawlcyn’s reasoning: “It was important for me to transition from a purely seafood-centric menu as an advocate for (the aquarium’s) Seafood Watch program, supporting sustainably sourced seafood,” she said.

Uchida, you may remember, was an early BiteClub find years ago when he was doing a pop-up sushi stand each week out of the Oddfellow’s Hall in Santa Rosa. We’ve missed our daily lunch visits, so Uchida’s take-out is a welcome return to memories of his Secret Sushi past.

Comments

8 thoughts on “Secret Sushi Returns

  1. Hey Jessica, i worked with him everyday and he treats co workers a little different. Lets see, I saw him every day and you get him to wait on you once and a while. I wonder who they’ll believe? How good you are at your job isnt just how you perform at a skill, its how u work with others too. Duh.

  2. Hey Jessica, i worked with him everyday and he treats co workers a little different. Lets see, I saw him every day and you get him to wait on you once and a while. I wonder who they’ll believe? How good you are at your job isnt just how you perform at a skill, its how u work with others too. Duh.

  3. I agree with Jeff. He acted like a jerk at Go Fish. Im sure he feels cool now working at a groc store. Hey takashi, why dont you start acting nice to staff and people wont slam you in every artical that hits the paper. Sayanara matanay.

  4. I agree with Jeff. He acted like a jerk at Go Fish. Im sure he feels cool now working at a groc store. Hey takashi, why dont you start acting nice to staff and people wont slam you in every artical that hits the paper. Sayanara matanay.

  5. I hope everyone that works with him enjoys his outgoing personality. Sarcasm, he acts like a jerk.

    1. He is a great guy. Jeff I don’t know what your problem is, but he is the nicest guy ever! He goes out of his way to make sure you have excellent Sushi. Best sushi I’ve ever had! And his Miso soup is homemade, and seaweed salad is delish.. I don’t even like veggies usually, and I loved everything I ordered. He’s a very talented Chef! Two thumbs up! I will be going back and reccomending him to my friends.

  6. I hope everyone that works with him enjoys his outgoing personality. Sarcasm, he acts like a jerk.

    1. He is a great guy. Jeff I don’t know what your problem is, but he is the nicest guy ever! He goes out of his way to make sure you have excellent Sushi. Best sushi I’ve ever had! And his Miso soup is homemade, and seaweed salad is delish.. I don’t even like veggies usually, and I loved everything I ordered. He’s a very talented Chef! Two thumbs up! I will be going back and reccomending him to my friends.

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