What a fabulous addition to the dining and bar scene in Amsterdam! This week I went to the terrific opening party of Momo, a new restaurant, bar and lounge specializing in sushi, sashimi and Asian style dishes, then I went back the next evening for dinner. It’s now my favorite place to hang out in Amsterdam. The quality of the fish they use for sashimi and sushi are far above what you get in Amsterdam sushi restaurants, and the presentation of the food is a feast for the eyes. There are set menus for four or more persons, an astounding menu if you want to eat at the bar (you don’t really need to sit down for the full dinner because these little plates are so delicious and filling), and a list of unusual cocktails.
http://www.mapplr.com/2008/10/05/momo-hottest-new-restaurant-in-amsterdam/
The chef, Anthony Sousa Tam, used to work at Hakkasan in London, so you can set high expectations. Other noteworthy dishes: the grilled chilean sea bass in an aromatic curry sauce was divine — the curry was very spicy (no concession whatsoever to bland local tastes). Desserts were out of this world: chocolate fondant with chocolate mousse and ginger creme brulee served in a spider’s web “cage” of crunchy caramel.

http://www.mapplr.com/2008/10/19/eiji-japanese-restaurant-hidden-gem-in-the-castro/
I came across Eiji, a Japanese restaurant on Sanchez Street in the Castro the other day quite by accident. It’s easy to miss: hidden behind trees, in a residential neighborhood, why would one expect to find good soup noodles and sushi here of all places? But I was impressed. For lunch I had the kitsune soba noddle soup with tofu puffs — the soup was not salty at all and it felt so purifying. I also ordered the cold tofu with tamari, spring onions and grated ginger, very delicious indeed.
Lunch here is inexpensive. I paid $7.50 for the large bowl of kitsune soup noodles; for the sushi and sashimi lunch plates which include miso soup, you pay $12.50. For dinner you must reserve because the restaurant is tiny but they have a good selection of fish and of course, those excellent tofu dishes. I don’t know why this restaurant is so unknown but it deserves a place in my pantheon of favorite ethnic dives. The one thing I do appreciate about Japanese ethnic dives is that they are very clean and their decor is sparse but comforting.