Maki, is a new concept for Sushi in Austin started by the Yung brothers--Yuen and Peter. Peter was the Sushi chef at Azuma in Houston before starting this restaraunt. Maki works to make sushi more accessible, creative and a bit less pretentious. I have heard it described as the Chipotle of Sushi.
Maki is a design your own Sushi place. You have your choice of "traditional" (seaweed) or "modern" (soy) wraps, and several meats and "veggies" (veggies, fruit, and cream cheese) and the sauce. For me, part of the fun at Maki is being creative and non-traditional--I like my Sushi to be spicy hot so I added jalapeno's to the soft shell crab; adding mangos to my tuna roll added a unique kick. The average tab for me at Maki is about $12--that's a roll, an order of edamame beans and tea (I'm addicted to the lemongrass tea). Miso soup and seaweed salad is also available as is green tea ice cream. Since I'm a geeky engineering type, I was intrigued by the machines that helped prep...one to roll the rice on the wrap, another to cut the roll once it was made.
I also like that Maki includes ingredients that make sushi more accessible to folks who won't touch raw ingredients (or even fish)--there is cooked chicken and beef. The ordering process can be a bit confusing the first time through but after that you do get the hang of it. You can tell Maki newbies because they hang out at the beginning of the line trying to figure it all out.
Maki is in a brand new space in the Arbor Walk Shopping center--you do have to look for it...it's easy to just drive by. The atmosphere is contemporary casual, very clean, and has several tables outside to soak in some good weather. Service is warm, friendly and professional. I really liked the fact that they allow you to be a bit green and separate your trash--paper, plastic, glass and just trash.
10515 N. Mopac Expy, Ste A165, Austin, TX 78759, (512) 243-8298, www.maki.us.com
