SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Momoyama, the Japanese hibachi joint inside the hard-hit Lundy’s building at 1901 Emmons Avenue, only just began their cleanup efforts on Friday.

When we stopped by, workers were there getting wooden boards up to secure the location, after Sandy’s flood waters battered the door. Like other establishments in Lundy’s ground level, Momoyama received upwards of six feet of water.

And it shows.

The restaurant’s table-sized grills, where so many of us have gathered for high school friends’ birthdays, were flipped and rusting on the floor, and chairs were scattered about. Although the water drained, it still had the musty-meets-salt-water smell we’ve gotten used to around here.

On the upside? The birthday drum on the wall seems to have survived unscathed. When they get back on their feet, we’ll be sure to visit and pretend it’s our birthday.

Source: NYScanner via Twitter

A Smart car serving as a delivery vehicle for Sushi Tokyo flipped over on East 12th Street and Avenue N.

It’s not immediately clear what caused the vehicle to flip over, but firefighters responded to the scene to help get the car right side up. There were no serious injuries reported, according to NYScanner, a police buff on Twitter who posted the photo above.

Sushi Tokyo is located nearby, at 1360 Coney Island Avenue.

Remember that contest we told you about, in which a soon-to-open sushi joint at an unspecified address on Gravesend Neck Road wanted your to help name their restaurant? Well, that restaurant has found a name – and it wasn’t any of your suggestions.

After receiving 33 submissions, the owners decided they all stunk, and so went with Sushi Mikasa, named after the Japanese battleship and, like, 500,000 other sushi joints.

Anyway, according to their liquor license application, Mikasa is opening at 1188 Gravesend Neck Road, the former site of Beer Saloon, which closed sometime in October or early November. We stopped by yesterday and the interior is being completely redone, with workers saying it’ll be at least a month until they’re finished.

Please insert obligatory humorous reference to the multitude of sushi restaurants here.

I really hope all the waiters dress like this. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

We received an e-mail from reader Karol M. yesterday, letting us know that she’s got a buddy planning on opening a new sushi joint in Sheepshead Bay, an area, as we all know, that is deprived of sushi joints.

There may currently be seven sushi restaurants in a two-block radius of Sheepshead Bay Road, but we can always use another, right? Well, before I get my snark on too strongly, Karol tells us that, firstly, it’ll be on Gravesend Neck Road, and, secondly, they’re planning a bit of a twist:

The decor of the restaurant will be giant black and white samurai photos and TVs playing kung-fu flicks–so think, y’know, Japanese with a dash of kitsch. It’s seeking to be the first upscale sushi establishment in an area known for 50% off sushi spots.

The first upscale sushi establishment in Sheepshead Bay! Thank goodness!

Wait, wasn’t that Mambo Sushi’s strategy when they opened up on Emmons Avenue? That worked well.

But apparently this unnamed sushi place has an ace up its sleeve: Karol said they’re bringing in a former chef from the Upper East Side’s Sushi Seki, a “favorite of chefs like Eric Ripert, Daniel Boulud, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten,” according to Serious Eats.

Making things more interesting, the owner is holding a contest to name the establishment. Karol is asking Sheepshead Bites readers to head over to her blog and leave suggestions in the comments. The winner will be given a free omakase dinner for two, tax included. Contest ends November 30 at 5:00 p.m. After leaving a suggestion, make sure to head back here and let us know what you recommended!

And, while I can’t help but be snarky at the suggestion that Sheepshead Bay needs a new sushi option, we wish the best of luck to the new endeavor.

Welcome back to The Bite, Sheepshead Bites’ weekly column where we explore the foodstuffs of Sheepshead Bay. Each week we check out a different offering from one of the many restaurants, delis, food carts, bakeries, butchers, fish mongers, or grocers in our neighborhood. If it’s edible, we’ll take a bite.

Astute readers of The Bite will remember that I stated that “I don’t eat at sushi restaurants.” Well, this episode of The Bite will be the exception that proves the rule. Welcome to Kawaii Japanese Restaurant (2706 Avenue U), where I take on beef negimaki.

Beef negimaki – or grilled beef wrapped around blanched scallions and seasoned with a sweet Teriyaki sauce – is one of my go to meals in a Japanese restaurant.

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