Second Helpings: Sushi, Part V

"Second Helpings" offers tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were updated by Erin Mosow. For quick, reliable info about Austin eateries, check here or online at austinchronicle.com/guides/restaurant/.

Sushi Niichi

705 W. 24th

Tuesday-Thursday, 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm;

Friday-Sunday, 11am-10pm; closed Mondays

Austin has a new sushi bar in West Campus in the strip that holds Momoko. The small space has a warm and welcoming feel with a number of tables in the front separated by partitions hung from the ceiling to provide each party some privacy. Their lunch specials are a great deal, ranging from $7 to $9. Lunch set No. 12 came highly recommended and includes eight avocado rolls, eight cucumber rolls, eight asparagus rolls, miso soup, and salad for just $9.

Buffet Palace

1012 W. Anderson, 458-2999

2601 S. I-35, Bldg. B #200, 388-9600

Monday-Thursday, 11am-9:30pm; Friday, 11am-10pm;

Saturday; 11:30am-10pm; Sunday 11:30am- 9:30pm

Buffet Palace has added sushi to its buffet bar, as well as some nightly sushi specials. They feature at least eight types of sushi rolls, including the classic California roll, a Korean kimbab roll, and a baked-chicken roll made with rice, cucumber, baked chicken, and a special dressing rolled in nori seaweed.

Benihana

9070 Research, 451-7505

Daily, 11am-2pm, 4-10pm

For a more upscale sushi experience, try Benihana. Though the preparation isn't as entertaining as that at their hibachi tables, their large choice of rolls has something for everyone. Their "Beni-Sushi" leaves your choice up to the chef if you can't decide on your own. While they serve traditional Japanese rolls and sushi ô la carte, the cuisine has been infiltrated by its surroundings, producing the Texas roll made with smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, cream cheese, and jalapeño.

Central Market

4001 N. Lamar, 206-1000

4477 S. Lamar, 899-4300

Daily, 9am-9pm

Central Market has a changing selection of more than 10 types of sushi daily. Avocado, fresh tuna and salmon, and dragon rolls are regularly available and packaged to go. Half-a-dozen rolls can range anywhere from $3.50 to $9, depending on the type and variety. Keep your eyes peeled for a sushi-making workshop at their cooking school -- they're currently searching for a qualified instructor.

Oishi Sushi

6718 Middle Fiskville, 302-9811

Monday-Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm;

Saturday, noon-10pm; Sunday, noon-9pm

From the makers of Thai Spice is Oishi Sushi, located in the former Mason Jar location near Highland Mall. This buffet combines sushi, Thai food, and traditional seafood all under one roof for one price. Lobster, snow crab, shrimp cocktail, and oysters are all available, in addition to the fresh California, tuna, and salmon rolls. Friday and Saturday nights feature varying sushi specials.

Dragon Gate

3663 Bee Caves Rd., 328-6776

Monday-Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, 11am-9:30pm

This sushi bar is so new we haven't had a chance to get in there yet, but it's the first sushi place in West Lake Hills, located in the remodeled former Madame Nadalini's. We'll let you know more as soon as we do.