Long Island Food Critic

Decor Gives Way To Food Art

While not the largest establishment by any stretch of the imagination, what Azuma lacks in size, it makes up for in creativity. This fantastic Greenlawn sushi restaurant has a quaint interior with light, airy piano music playing softly overhead. You will see dark woods throughout and decorative fish adorning the walls in the intimate seating area.

Cheery chefs, and their entertaining, charismatic demeanor, man the modest sized sushi bar. The takeout station is bustling, but efficient. A fellow diner remarked to us that the takeout is of the same great caliber that is enjoyed during a sit-down meal.

We started our sushi experience by getting a pizza. The Sushi Pizza (below left) is comprised of a thin rice-wafer crust, topped with crab, avocado, rice, spicy tuna and various types of roe. Lemon and a delicate butterflied carrot creatively garnished this appetizer. Everything was fresh in this slightly spicy dish. The spicy tuna and shredded crab acted respectively as the marinara and cheese found on a traditional pizza. Served sliced, this is a great appetizer for sharing.

Next was the Spicy Crunchy Tuna Avocado Bowl. As the name implies, avocado is crafted into a bowl for this crunch-filled appetizer. Though the consistency makes this tasty option hard to share, it is worth the effort. The crunch and the creamy avocado are a nice contradiction of textures. Those afraid of a little heat in their food need not worry; while flavorsome, the name belies this mild, tasty dish.

The Tuna Dumplings (above) were the next offering presented to us. These four handmade dumplings, with a unique tuna casing replacing the usual dumpling façade, were topped with various roe and stuffed with avocado, mango and seaweed. While they may appear heavy, these delicious dollops were light and refreshing. You will find a slight heat to this appetizer, but the mango counteracts it nicely. There is a lot going on in these dumplings, but they all work well together.

Rolling onwards, the Princess Roll (below left) is crowned with a generous amount of crunch, spicy tuna and varying roe. This royal roll is filled with avocado, salmon and tuna. Again, all the ingredients were delicious and as fresh as can be. The cucumber served as a crisp palate cleanser, preparing us for our next endeavor.

Our next lovely dish was the Sweet Heart Roll (above right). Spicy tuna, avocado and a small amount of rice are wrapped in soybean paper in the shape of hearts. There was a pleasant crunch inside this slightly sweet entrée. To bring a little spice into your life, be sure to use the wasabi mayo served with this entrée.

The Sushi Sashimi Combination (below left) is a staple at most sushi restaurants. The Azuma variety is pleasing on the eyes as well as the tongue. With salmon, tuna, whitefish, shrimp, crabmeat and a spicy tuna roll, this is a great entrée for the seasoned sushi lover or a perfect shareable option for those who want to try a little bit of everything.

We finished with the Imagine Roll (above right), and how imaginative it is! Standing watch over this creation is what appears to be a little snowman made of daikon with an avocado hat. Kids and adults alike with smile at the sight of this dish. Topped with eel, tuna, scallions, avocado and salmon roe and filled with salmon and mango, this roll has a vast spectrum of tastes and textures that make for an outstanding experience. This is a sweet treat with subtle heat. The eel marries especially well with the mango, but everything complements each other marvelously.

What Azuma may lack in size, it more than makes up for in delicious food art. The steady stream of happy customers, both takeout and sit-down, is a testament to their fresh, tasty offerings. This charming restaurant certainly proves that good things really do come in small packages.