I'm guessing Zumi Sushi founder Patrick Burke saw Field of Dreams, because he built it and they came. On opening night, every stainless-steel-and-wood chair on the porch of the Belcourt Avenue bungalow was taken, and the place was clicking with chopsticks.
I'm guessing Burke—a Vandy alum—also logged his share of hours at the venerable San Antonio Taco Co. up the street, because the familiar layout coupled with sleek design all but screams "Satco goes Asian!" (Why didn't we think of that?)
Enter the front door, turn to the right, follow the corridor to the register, order, pay, get your drink, wait for your food. Only difference is that at Zumi, your food comes to you. Of course, instead of fajitas in foil with a bucket o' Rocks, it's sushi and noodles served on white plates, with sake and Sapporo. And the prices are considerably higher, with 8-piece rolls clocking in around $8.
We ordered a few jewel-colored rolls, with fresh fillings of tuna, salmon, mango, avocado, serrano peppers, garlic, cucumber and macadamias; tuna sashimi ($4.25 for three pieces); basil-mango curry with five large shrimp ($8.95); chicken soup with lemongrass, mushrooms and a load of wontons ($2.95); and chile shrimp with rice ($8.50). We got our money's worth of atmosphere, lingering for a couple of hours on a balmy night in the bustling dining neighborhood.
Next time, we'll sneak up the back stairs to the upstairs deck. In the meantime, if you get to Zumi Sushi, please report back on Bites.
Zumi Sushi is located at 2119 Belcourt Ave.
