Written & Photographed by – Susan D

Mama Sushi Review

Summer in NYC has never been so delicious as it seems to be this Summer 2015. From rooftop restaurants to hole-in-the-wall eateries, the diverse eating possibilities are endless. If you’re anything like me, you don’t like eating the same thing more than twice in the same week. Even two times seems like a push but when you live in the big apple, diversity is not a problem! In fact, deciding what cuisine you’re in the mood for is probably the bigger issue. For me, unique and exotic foods have been the trend this summer and oh boy! Did I ever find a twist this time.

Sushi is a popular choice when going out on a dinner date in NYC so I turned to the #sushi hashtag on Instagram to see if I could find A Diamond In The Rough. I came across a few pictures of a place named Mama Sushi in Manhattan and if I could take a bite out of a picture I definitely would have. The presentation alone had me at hello.

So I set out for a Sushi Saturday this past weekend and visited the Mama Sushi located on Dyckman Street in Upper Manhattan. Once I saw the awning outside, I knew exactly where I wanted to be seated. I was greeted immediately by the host with a smile (such a plus sign) and was asked whether I wanted to sit inside or outside. Outside it was!

The “A” grade on the window gave me the confidence to eat freely which is so important when eating sushi. No one wants food poisoning as their major weekend eating event.

As we perused the menu, I quickly realized this was not just any sushi place. The names for the dishes alone let you know you’re in for a unique experience! I then read the ingredients and though, is this really sushi? It just might be more than that. I asked the waiter what the popular choices were to see what would be recommended, and he suggested the Mamasushi Pu Pu Platter for two so we can get the chef’s choices. We did just that, and we were for sure in fusion heaven. This Latin twist to sushi will most definitely be a new favorite hot spot this summer!

Mar y Tierra: Consists of shrimp tempura with bacon topped with avocado and steak.

El Fuerte: Grilled chicken and stead with cream cheese topped with avocado and sweet plantain

MamaSushi: Chicken tempura with bacon and cream cheese topped with sweet plantain.

The plate was filled with pieces filled with a variety of chicken, pork, and shrimp wrapped in rice, avocado, nori, and ripe plantain (maduro). I’d have to say they were the most delicious balls of goodness I’ve ever eaten. It was all of my favorite ingredients wrapped into little pieces of bliss. The sauces they used were absolutely incredible. I loved the eel sauce which blended well with the taste of the spicy mayo. On some bites I preferred the Nikir (sweet soy sauce), but the Japanese ginger sauce was probably my favorite out of all of them. Every taste bud awakened with my initial bite. Between the crunch from the panko crumbs and the taste punch in the sauce…there was a party in my mouth for the next hour!

The table next to ours was enjoying a simpler plate with some sangria. Since the ambiance in the restaurant is super friendly, we were having a full blown convo with everyone around us. They let me whip out my phone and take a picture with notes on what to order next time. This “El Campesino” dish had hanger steak, fried white cheese with avocado topped with sweet plantain.

Another table was enjoying what looked like traditional rolls at first but was more of a combo that had steak, avocado, and cucumber. Some were topped with salmon, some with avocado, and some with tomato and sweet plantain.

I noticed so many more menu items that just sound like they should be on my food bucket list but I wasn’t able to fit another bite after that shared platter. I think next time I’ll go with some of the traditional sushi menu items I saw like the California roll with crab, avocado, and cucumber or the Rock & Roll with yellow tail, eel, and avocado.. We washed the food down with coconut mojitos and all together it was an A + experience. I will surely make this a weekly stop until I’ve tried every item on that menu! Who knew Uptown was hiding such a gem?