467063 Thu Dec 06 12:44:11 -0800 2007 0 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3185503 Went to the Genkai Grill for the first time today. There is no mention on Chowhound so I’m proud to write the first review. Genkai Grill is fast Japanese food. They have sushi rolls, grilled fish, teriyaki and soups. Everything is well under $10, so I figured it’s worth a try. My first impression is that it is a new fast food place with some style. The stone floors and contemporary lighting make the place seem very clean. The cooking is done behind the cashier so you can see everything. The fish plates include grilled fish with choice of seasoning, rice, two salads and a vegetable skewer. If you don’t specify your two salads they just double the portion of the salad you did choose. I wish I ordered two salads just because I wanted to try them. They have Asian salad (see ingredients below), Spinach (baby spinach, radishes, maybe other stuff in there) and Tofu salad (I don’t know what’s in that yet). I ordered the tuna which was a large portion and tasted great even though it was well done. I wouldn’t expect to get the quality of tuna that tastes good rare in a fast food place, so I can’t complain. The garlic butter seasoning was not the slightest bit greasy and had a great flavor combination of pepper, lemon and garlic. The rice is a seasoned rice, like a pilaf but without onion or chicken flavor. Instead, the rice was slightly salty (but good!) with a hint of black pepper. I saw some flakes in the rice as if they used a Japanese bonito seasoning. Whatever they do, it works. There was plenty of rice and it was very tasty all by itself. The Asian salad contained quality mixed greens, Mandarin orange segments, and crispy noodles. The dressing, which comes on the side, was excellent. Instead of the typical sesame/rice vinegar combination I was expecting it was a reddish orange concoction of miso and citrus flavors. It had a great fresh taste which didn’t weigh down the salad at all. The small stick of grilled vegetables (red bell pepper, mushroom slice, carrot slice, yellow bell pepper, zuchinni) was barely seasoned and perfectly cooked. It must have been cooked first and then charred a bit on the grill before serving. It was a nice addition to an already full plate. Pretty small, though. The tuna plate was $7.99. This is more than I spend on lunch usually, but when I spend that much I want something good. It’s fast food, so there is no tip and you would not find a fish plate of this quality at a sit down restaurant for only $7.99. The price is comparable to California Fish Grill, another great fast, grilled fish place, about five miles away. About their menu: They have no nigiri, but several types of rolls for around six dollars which includes miso soup. It’s not busy there yet, but the other customers that came in mostly ordered teriyaki and sushi rolls. I was happy with my fish, but I’m going to try a roll or a teriyaki plate next time just to mix it up. The other fish choices are salmon, halibut, snapper and seabass. Actually, I might work my way through the fish plates before I switch to teriyaki and rolls. It was that good. Genkai Grill 1249 Carson Street (x Normandie) Torrance Thu Dec 06 12:44:11 -0800 2007 20374 GoodEatz