tokyo cafe

at the recommendation of our friend karizza, we took a walk through the neighborhood over to the tokyo cafe at 5121 pershing (just off camp bowie, near the merrick street intersection). shame on us, we've been in arlington heights for over five years now, but hadn't made our way there till today. then again, i'm the world's worst japanese person (this is the food that my mom usedta make that i turned my nose up at in favor of hamburgers and pizza -- duh); while it might not be entahrly true that i'd never have developed a taste for it if jon teague hadn't pulled my coat to boris, the flower travellin' band, and les rallizes denudes, it might as well be.

japanese food's not like chinese, which hits you over the head with big, brash flavors; on the contrary, it's very delicate, with layers of subtle flavors that you experience in succession. it's also very pleasing to the eye. we started out with gyoza (little steamed pork 'n' veggie dumplings that finished with a hint of ginger), then miso soup (the broth rich with shiitakes, bits of seaweed and tofu), salmon tartare (refreshing with flavors of mango and lemon), blackened albacore, tempura and calamari rolls, and for dessert, a peach-blueberry tower constructed of cream cheese and little cinnamon tortilla chips. the food was beautiful, the surroundings relaxing, the service prompt and attentive. all within walking distance of la casa. we'll definitely be back. nice to have another neighborhood spot to go to.