“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.
Imperial Asia

825 E. Rundberg, 834-9388

Monday-Friday, 11am-2:30pm; Monday-Thursday, 5pm-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 5pm-10pm

Imperial Asia is a Thai restaurant that added a sushi bar in May of 2002 and has expanded it sushi menu to over 20 different options. The main attractions are the price and the unagi. The Crispy Rolls are deep fried and filled with cucumber and crab for $5.95. Bargain hunters will go for the Imperial Sushi Two ($7.95), which includes six assorted pieces of sushi and a California Roll.

Kimchi Sushi

6406 N. I-35, 453-4111

Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday, 11am-11pm; Saturday, noon-11pm; Sunday, noon-10pm

This new, simply decorated restaurant located in Lincoln Village features a sushi bar in addition to its menu of Korean favorites. Sit at the bar and chat with the garrulous sushi chef while you sample some of Kimchi’s fresh-tasting yellowtail, tuna, or salmon sushi. Prices at this restaurant are better than at most of the newer sushi places.

Peony Asian Cuisine Restaurant

5308 Balcones Dr., 459-3341

Daily, 11am-10pm

Yoshi is no longer at the sushi bar at Peony, but what they do serve is uniformly excellent. Like the miso soup, one of the richest versions of that Asian classic in Austin. The ama ebi is sweet as a mother’s love. Make sure to call and check; it’s worth a visit.

Tokyo Teppan Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar

7010 W. Hwy. 71 #200, 288-3788

Monday-Thursday, 11am-2:30pm, 5:30-9pm; Friday 11am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm; Saturday, 5:30-10pm; Sunday, 5:30-9pm

Austin has a new sushi joint for far-south residents to enjoy. Located near the “Y” in Oak Hill and open for just a few months, Tokyo Teppan is fairing well with sushi lovers with both its taste and prices. The chefs’ performances are also a hit. Individual pieces range from $2 to $3 and rolls from $4 to $6.

Saké on Sixth

621-A E. Sixth, 478-8788

www.sakeonsixth.com

Monday-Thursday, 5:30pm-midnight; Friday-Saturday, 2pm-2am; Sunday, 5:30pm-2am

Replacing Kaya Blue, Saké on Sixth is hard to resist. The food is consistant though a little pricy, expected for a restaurant located downtown. With attractive decor and a jukebox to choose your own music, it makes a great late-night hangout. Sushi ô la carte items range from $4 to $6 and a California dinner with 18 pieces costs just $10. Try one of their box lunches on the go, ranging from $7 to $10.

This article appears in February 14 • 2003.

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