453419 Tue Oct 23 13:55:24 -0700 2007 7 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3060381 I just had some of the most delicious ankimo nigiri at Echigo. Served hot, the thick pieces were obviously sliced from the whole lobe. The slices were so big that they didn't fit on the rice, so about 1.5 inches were cut off the ends and served on the side. Really, really delicious, and a bargain at $5. The rest of my lunch was great too, I ordered the lunch special - salmon, snapper, tuna, albacore, yellowtail nigiri and a blue crab handroll, all for $12. Everything was very fresh and very good. I also ordered the afore-mentioned ankimo, uni, butterfish and a toro handroll. The nori was beautifully toasted and crisp, the rice warm and loose as is my preference. Echigo has the same rules as Zo, no cell phones, bar reserved for omakase only, no cooked dishes or trendy rolls. In addition, the waitstaff go throught the whole "no soy sauce" routine too. I would say the two are comparable in terms of quality and freshness, with a nod to Zo on the crab roll. Tue Oct 23 13:55:24 -0700 2007 21341 hrhboo 1 3060468 Yep very tasty. I first experienced this steamed version of ankimo at zo though...... I still think Zo has waay more variety than Echigo. Tue Oct 23 14:15:41 -0700 2007 3060381 13928 Schweinhaxen 2 3060540 I'll be going back soon to try omakase at Echigo. The menu was large with lots of specials. Tue Oct 23 14:32:33 -0700 2007 3060468 21341 hrhboo 3 3063751 Yeah i agree with vinosnob, Echigo has a way of drowning the fish in ponzu ala sasabune where the itamae used to work. i usually order omakase there, and is not even close to the experience as zo, because you actually can taste the fish. the quality of the fish is nonetheless as high as Keizo...... Wed Oct 24 13:02:27 -0700 2007 3060540 13928 Schweinhaxen 1 3060913 I used to visit Echigo on a regular basis for weeknight dinners and an occassional lunch special. If you like warm rice, you'll love Echigo; sometimes the rice has a risotto like consistency. Although the fish is always excellent and the service is good, I grew tired of the sushi; specifically, the sauces that accompany almost every piece of nigiri. The sauces become overpowering and the freshness and butteriness of the fish gets lost. I would pick Zo if given the choice... Tue Oct 23 16:38:21 -0700 2007 3060381 74451 vinosnob 1 3060985 For my money, the only place that does ankimo better than Echigo is Zo. But it's a close call. Tue Oct 23 17:00:12 -0700 2007 3060381 10240 Bob Brooks 1 3061587 Best ankimo I've ever had was at Kiriko. Tue Oct 23 21:15:02 -0700 2007 3060381 11583 ipsedixit 2 3063315 the best blue crab handroll is also from Kiriko, I love the marinated cucumbers in the roll it gives it a really nice crunch. Wed Oct 24 11:22:33 -0700 2007 3061587 97947 trojans