Saica (Ann Arbor)

[trapani]

What has happened to my favorite Japanese place in AA? For 12+ years, Saica has been excellent. Tonite I returned after a year or so for a celebratory dinner and it was mediocre. Seaweed salad mushy and too much sweet-sweet dressing. Salmon teriyaki dripping in a gloppy sweet sauce, with a side of pasta salad (ick). The sushi tasted good, but was cut unevenly--looked liked my home-made sushi.
Should I just be going across the street to the (cheaper) Nagomi?

[Jim M]

I've noticed the same thing, and the low-cost options have been systematically eliminated from the menu. That restaurant has been there in one form or another for years, and I think they're just burned out. Nagomi is quite good for the price (no booze). I've also been having luck with Godaiko in SW AA. Not "authentic" (owners are Thai-Chinese) but very creative stuff sometimes, excellent service, consistently good, festive atmosphere, good lunch specials.

[trapani]

Thanks Jim. BTW aren't most of the Japanese places in AA run by Koreans?
That's the case at Nagomi, Umi, and Saica.

[Jim M]

Yup. I believe Yotsuba is Chinese owned. AFAIK the only Japanese-owned one now that Yamato is closed is the cheapo Makkara on Packard. The Japanese-owned places in Plymouth and Novi are a bit better and cheaper, I think.

[toro]

try o sushi in canton its worth the drive past neehees.

[Jim M]

When someone named "toro" tells me to try a sushi place, I'm there. However, I had in mind Fumi in Novi and maybe Izakaya Sanpei (sp?)—haven't been there for a while.

[JanPrimus]

I fully endorse O Sushi myself...