Thursday, February 25, 2010

Tani's - a Japanese gem on Woodstock Blvd.

This month we went exploring new tastes at a fave hangout. Tani's is an amiable Japanese restaurant in a rather obscure location right on Woodstock Blvd. They sometimes have a little sandwich board on the sidewalk, but often you will drive by it without even seeing it.

We usually order the Chicken Katsu (Steve), and either Vegetable Tempura or the Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura combo (me). This has been going on over the course of approx 3 to 4 years. We started right up again with our old eating habits when they reopened after a year's closure during complete and total construction of an entire new bldg on the lot, which also had UPS and a tanning salon as tenants. UPS has since moved way down the street, but Tani's still shines brightly with their new (though not so new by now) decor, a big improvement over their former, very modest restaurant.

But I digress, as usual. From the menu, I've tasted the katsu, a sort of breaded chicken that's then fried. It's fine, but my longtime favorite has been the tempura. I've had other tempura and this is outstanding -- light, delicious, and crunchy, with unique vegetables such as sweet potatoes, along with broccoli and carrots and others. Plenty filling, especially if you have a small bowl of their yummy miso soup too.


On the evening we finally tried other menu items, I ordered the Salmon & Onion Salad, while Steve had some sushi. He liked it, but preferred the old standby Katsu. I tried the sushi, and it seemed fine to me, although sushi is not a food item I would order.



I liked my salad, but afterwards felt like I had eaten something my body wasn't used to. What I can say with all certainty is that certain Japanese menu items are not comfort foods. Give me my Tani's tempura any day, or the miso soup, or their wonderful, tasty grilled chicken or grilled salmon, and I will continue to be blissed out in comfort, as will my stomach.


Tani knows his food, of that there is no doubt. We also appreciate the good, friendly service. They have a selection of beers, sodas, and sake, among other things. Worth a trip!


ciao,

deb