The Art of Dining Alone on a Tuesday
By Lauren Kalinowski
Sometimes, on an early weeknight, a girl just needs a little pick-me-up. And with its Tuesday salmon sashimi special, Japonais Bistro at 11806 Jasper Avenue is where I go. It’s one of my top faves, tried and true, always good and always there when I need it.
The restaurant itself is cute and tidy. Faux-brick walls, faux-wood floors with pictures of little flowers and grass between the planks, and dark lighting—even at four o’clock in the afternoon—make it cozy. I know to go early; the restaurant is always reserved on Tuesdays.
I sit by myself in a worn banquette; it dips in the middle from all the people who have enjoyed sashimi there before me. The restaurant is aging with me. I’ve been coming here for years, since it opened. It’s where my kids, and so many other kids I’ve watched, tried their first sushi. The restaurant is wonderful with families.
There’s a whole mocktail menu and “kids beer” to make them feel grown up and special. Sushi and sashimi are only some of the offerings; there are cooked and uncooked dishes in all the categories done in the Japonais Bistro way.
My server is extra-professional and polished. I’m the only one there so early, and he’s ready for me to start his shift. First, I ordered Spinach Gomae ($9). It’s steamed spinach pressed into the shape of a sushi roll, doused in black sesame sauce and topped with a sprig of watercress. For the life of me, I can’t recreate the sesame sauce, and I’d eat it by the spoonful if I could. Careful though, when it gets stuck in your teeth it looks nasty. I swear it’s worth it. It’s this vinegary, creamy, umami delight on otherwise boring spinach.
With it, I’ve ordered Beef Tataki ($14.50), a Seaweed Salad ($7.50) and, of course, the plat du jour, the Salmon Sashimi ($6). He asks me if I want two orders. I almost say yes but I’ve made this mistake before! Only one plate of six pieces for me for now.
He brings them to me one plate at a time, carefully placing each in front of me with two hands and swiveling the plate for the best view before I eat. The tataki has a house mound of fresh cut white onion. Perfect with the rare beef swimming in ponzu marinade. This is an ideal anemia meal, all the iron I can get.
I’m tempted to try something outside my favorites—but sometimes it’s just not worth it when I know how good it can be. Some dishes are very much what can be found everywhere and don’t particularly stand out: the California Roll ($7.50), Steamed Edamame ($6), Chicken Teriyaki ($18.50), the usual sushi restaurant stuff. I’d advise not to waste valuable tummy space and try something new to you. The spicy udon dishes ($15.50-$19) don’t do it for me either, but if you’re going to have it, go all out on the Lobster Cream Udon ($26).
Next is sashimi. They don’t scrimp on size, and it’s rich, delicious salmon of the right (non-farmed) color. I pair it with the generous sweet crunchy seaweed salad. The vinegary-sweet salad cuts through the fatty fish, and the two dance together delightfully.
I’m too full for dessert. There are a few other after-work patrons wandering in as I finish my quick Tuesday supper for one. The restaurant will be packed in an hour or two, bustling six-dollar-sashimi to all.
And as a bonus, for the cool spring chill: the ladies’ room has heated toilet seats.
Japonais Bistro
11806 Jasper Ave
Edmonton
japonaisbistro.ca
M-Th: 11:30AM to 9:30PM
F, S: 11:30AM to 10:30PM
S: 11:30AM to 8:30PM
Happy Hour Everyday: 2PM to 5PM
