Mouthfull of Raw Fish & Rice

My wife and I discovered a new sushi restaurant in South Minneapolis, Minnesota called "Bagu". Near the corner of 48th and Chicago, I used to descend into this area to see movies at the Parkway movie theater or eat dinner at the Mexican restaurant that was next to it. I had not been to the neighborhood in many years and didn't expect more than an average family-style Japanese restaurant: Clean, well-decorated, good food, but pretty average.

What we found was a place that would be quite at home in Edina, Wayzata, or downtown Minneapolis!

We almost missed Bagu from the street, but since we had the address we were able to pick it out from the other businesses. It's a narrow face it shows to the world and is fitting for a business that is out of place to some degree, but wants to fit in.

I was first struck by what I saw from the sidewalk just outside. Atypical yellow light illuminates the restaurant, once you process that you see things are arranged in a symmetry. Large metal sculptures create imposing walls to the left and right, then each side has a single row of upholstered benches facing the center, with dark wood tables, and then rows of chairs that face the benches.

You enter to promenade down the center if you miss the small hostess station just to the right of the front door. At the far end is the where you find the sushi chefs who greeted us in English, where I am used to a traditional Japanese greeting. However it was not unpleasant, just another aspect of the feeling of having been transported to a location familiar, yet different. Yes, I could almost say dreamlike. Behind the area where sushi rice is molded by hand and fitted with fish, or rolled with nori and an assortment of ingredients, was another sight that bears describing: As a contrast from the more elegant dining area, the cooks stand in from of a wall that has a collection of red and white plastic squares, many of which have some shapes in a third dimension. I think this is an expression of the playful side that you sometimes see in Japanese culture that stands in contrast to the formal and conservative side.

The prices are moderate to a little expensive, but that was not really a surprise. We ordered light since we didn't want to spend to much and really was not overly hungry. Crunchy roll, Caterpillar roll, and hamachi with green onion rolls. Of course we ordered green tea was well.

The presentation was classy and what you would expect. As I think about describing the food, my mouth starts watering. The food was beautiful and as enjoyable as it looked.
(hris