Joshu-Ya Brasserie Restaurant Review: Committed to seasonality and sustainability, chef/owner Jason Kwon ignites tradition with blazing and often quite fancy flashes of fusion. Fish so eye-poppingly fresh that you can practically feel the sea breeze on your face is the star attraction, served as generously portioned sushi and sashimi, in clever starters such as seared Hokkaido scallops with mushroom-potato purée, and in enterprising entrées like salmon with sesame-uni porridge. Fleshless fare is rare: try the vegetable tempura-stuffed "Cinderella" sushi. A multicourse prix-fixe chef's tasting menu comprises Kobe-kimchi sliders and challah-custard french toast with maple-miso ice cream, among other novelties. The cozy bar offers California wine, Japanese beer, seasonal saké, shochu and fun fruit "saketinis." Gooey pound cake-wrapped ice cream tempura and a young (but mellow) crowd assert that Berkeley is, indeed, a college town.
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Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area.
