Umi Star’s facade, courtesy of owner Jason Anderson

Want to try out a Southwest–infused Asian sushi bar? There’s one now in mid-town call Umi Star. Umi means the “sea” in Japanese, and this small upscale, modernish restaurant and sushi bar is on the NE corner of Water St. and Campbell Ave. with large glass windows and a cool, blue décor. I liked the gray wall covered with metal sea urchins, and the hanging underwater lamps for lighting , ten wooden tables & cabin crew chairs & fixtures. The corals on the shelf also gave it an “under the sea” feel.

Umi Star has a unique, creative menu such as Chuka Salad (marinated seaweed salad with sesame seeds and spun beets), lots of hand crafted sushi rolls (i.e. Sushi Burrito made from shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado, crab and cream cheese, wrapped in soy paper and served with a sushi salsa), and an assortment of tapas. Unusual to say the least for a sushi bar, but they all sounded enticing.

I tried the Sushi Assortment Lunch for $10, and got to choose a selection from 3 categories of roll, nigiri, and salad. My dish was well prepared and tasty: 8 pieces of spicy tuna roll, 2 pieces of yellowtail (hamachi) nigiri, and an exquisite squid salad (with sesame seeds and seaweed). No complaints there, as the portions were delicious and adequate. And I love seaweed having grown up in Hawaii.

Two friends walked in, David & Maxine, who wanted to try the Southwest selections, so they chose one each of the Asian Street Tacos (chicken or beef tri tip), which came with a spun cucumber, ginger cabbage slaw, cilantro and sambal aioli. Maxine said it was “seasoned with a bite”, and a “light refreshing lunch” for $6 each. They also shared an order of edamame (cooked soy beans), seasoned with sesame oil and Polynesian sea salt, which I sampled and it was superb.

This new restaurant just opened in August, 2012 and according to our friendly waitress Laura, serves fresh tortillas from La Mesa Tortilla Company and fresh bread from La Baguette Bakery (must be for the Asian Style Hot Dogs on the menu). Everything seemed very fresh and creatively hand made.

Being as their name in English means Sea Star, I would encourage them to add a few real sea stars/starfish to their decorations.

Check out their food/drink menu online (click here). Umi Star, an Asian Food Bar is at 2502 N. Campbell Ave., phone 520-777-4465, www.umistar.com. Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., closed Mondays.

Check out this new “star” in town.

Starting April 6 at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway.

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3 star Michelin review, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro’s sushi bar. At the heart of this story is Jiro’s relationship with his eldest son Yoshikazu, the worthy heir to Jiro’s legacy, who is unable to live up to his full potential in his father’s shadow.

The feature film debut of director David Gelb, JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is a thoughtful and elegant meditation on work, family, and the art of perfection, chronicling Jiro’s life as both an unparalleled success in the culinary world, and a loving yet complicated father.

Shot in a clean, sparse style, the film also abounds with lush, mouthwatering imagery of some of the most awe-inspiring sushi the world has ever seen.

I saw this movie preview and started dreaming of delicious sushi as well. Having grown up in Hawaii and the Japanese culture, I love sushi in all forms. And oddly enough Jiro’s last name is Ono, which means “delicious” in the Hawaiian language.

And if this movie does make you crave for sushi (and Japanese food), read my blog in Feb. 2010 in which I surveyed the many sushi restaurants in Tucson – “Sushi Galore” (click here)– but call ahead to make sure the restaurant info is current.
With over 30 sushi restaurants in Tucson, I haven’t been able to keep abreast of them all, nor have I been able to dine at them all.

Dream on!