San Shi Go – 345

Not all tourist traps are for tourists.  Located on Main Street near the Balboa Ferry on the Peninsula is San Shi Go.  In the middle of chotchi stores and crappy restaurants is this gem of a place.  For a sushi place, it is a pretty big.  The sushi bar can fit 24 people, plus all of the tables.  And if you go while the weather is still nice, the front windows open up and it can be great people watching.  They also have a another location in Laguna, but we like the Newport Beach one better.  The decor is modern and there is almost never a wait for a table.  

While most places offer your typical rolls, California, Philly… San Shi Go has created a few of their own, that you can only get there.   My favorite is the Salmon Lemon roll, although I substitute the salmon for tuna.  It is a vegetable roll topped with sliced tuna and lemon.  There is nothing like it.  However the albacore tataki is delicious.  It is albacore tuna topped with fried onions and garlic.  

Since all of the rolls are half orders, you can either order a variety of rolls or double up on your favorites.   And accordingly the prices are just right.

This may come off the wrong way, but while we were there the sushi bar had 15 seats filled and of that 7 were Japanese.  Too me that is good news.  My only gripe is if it is busy you will have to wait patiently because there is no rushing a sushi chef and his art.