San Francisco - June 27, 2007

Ming Dynasty

Sudachi Restaurant

The last time you went barhopping without eating dinner you could have sworn the Earth was being tested by unnatural disasters under the influence of Planet Mongo.

Chef Ming Hwang will show us some mercy at Sudachi, his casual new sushi and Med-Asian tapas joint in the Polk Corridor, where you can get cozy at a lantern-lit tatami table in back or sidle up to the twelve-seat sushi bar.

Specialty sashimis (like Japanese kanpachi with pistachio oil, ruby red grapefruit zest, and a watermelon radish) are meant to be eaten as finger food. If you need more fuel, try lamb lollipops served with miso potatoes. Veggies go for house-made truffled organic tofu fries and the botanical roll (asparagus, tofu, and avocado topped with marinated eggplant, tad soi, and sesame).

Freshly squeezed seasonal soju cocktails go down easy. And after 10:30 p.m., the front area turns into a live jazz and funk lounge.

So chances are you’ll be back in a flash.

Sudachi, 1217 Sutter Street, between Polk and Van Ness Streets (415-931-6951 or sudachisushi.com).