The Cupertino Courier

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Bay Sushi's Caterpillar roll includes avocado, three kinds of fresh fish, rice and "eyes" made out of octopus tenticles.

Bay Sushi specializes in tongue-twisting treats

By Katherine Petersen

If you've never shared a French Kiss at a sushi bar, chances are you haven't taken your dates to Bay Sushi.

The French Kiss--soft-shell crab and eel wrapped up in seaweed--is one of many treats for the tongue at the Japanese restaurant, which was taken over by new owners in May.

Bay Sushi has sushi-bar seating, where customers can keep a close eye on their meal's preparation. They can see the see the day's fish in a display case and watch the chef slice vegetables and fish and create sushi rolls and other delicacies.

"When it's not busy, customers can request special rolls and other sushi," Sam Lee said.

Chef Byoung Song, who worked under the previous owners before buying the restaurant in May with partner Kyu Lee, has begun to turn things around, manager Sam Lee said.

Song and Sam Lee each work three days a week in the kitchen and three days at the sushi bar.

"It's a nice tradeoff," Sam Lee said.

The most unusual aspect of Bay Sushi is the amount of specialty sushi rolls the restaurant offers, Sam Lee said.

The North and South Roll bursts with hamachi (yellow tail), crab and green onion and is quickly deep-fried before being served; the Crazy Roll features tuna, hamachi and salmon, served with rice on the outside and sprinkled with tiny fish eggs. Prices for rolls range from $3.50 to $7.25.

Bay Sushi also has a complete menu of hot and cold noodle dishes, rice dishes, fish, chicken, beef and pork.

A special two-item lunch box, such as teriyaki chicken and a California roll, costs $7.25, while a three-item dinner box costs $11.95. The boxes come with rice, salad and soup, Sam Lee said.

The restaurant's interior is quite simple, with white walls and wood trim. A few pictures are on the walls.

"We like to keep it very simple," Sam Lee said.

Bay Sushi can serve 35 to 40 customers at a time. The restaurant is busy on Friday and Saturday nights, but Lee said he never knows what the rest of the week will bring.

"We're not near a lot of companies so we don't draw a large lunch crowd yet," he said.

Within the next few months, the restaurant plans to open for dinner on Sunday nights.

Bay Sushi also participates in the Waiters on Wheels food-delivery service, Sam Lee said.

Bay Sushi, 1647 Hollenbeck Ave., Sunnyvale. Hours: Mon-Fri. lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Mon-Sat. dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 735-1777 for reservations.

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