. "7"^^ . "9"^^ . "2"^^ . "My very first sushi roll. Having nothing to compare it to, but going on taste, texture, freshness, and appearance, I was pleased with the results. \n\nAn overall 5 star experience, thanks to\n \n1. \"Chef inspired\" (on menu board) SPICY TUNA\n ROLL in NORI wrap, with white rice, cucumber, \n avocado, and spicy mayo; wasabi crunch and \n teriyaki sauce, too. Neither nori (seaweed) nor \n tuna were strong-tasting, but mild and nicely\n flavored. \n2. The neat, clean, attractive, and simply-designed \n interior; check out the cool silver aluminum \n chairs...probably weigh less than 3 pounds \n each...I want a few of them, myself.\n3. What I felt was reasonable pricing.\n4. Helpful, efficient Sherri and Katie. I especially \n like getting complimentary sides of warm, \n friendly smiles with anything I order from food \n spots.\n\nMy holdout in sampling sushi centers around an incident that's taken me about 15 years to get over, and one you'll appreciate that I'm not relating here. It was time I ventured beyond raw oysters from restaurants and rare tuna steaks from my kitchen. \n\nBeing pretty particular about how foods are prepared and the end results, the Spicy Tuna roll actually looked and tasted very good. Loved the interesting texture, but I'm undecided about the \"concept\" of sushi . The fish was perfectly fine and close to my quickly seared steaks at home, and I really enjoyed the chewy yet tender seaweed, but it's the COLD RICE element that I'm not so sure about. Because I liked everything, I may try making my own COOKED and WARM version (tushi? hehe) using the same ingredients. I want to come up with some way to use that distinctively different nori. \n\nTheir Garlic & Teriyaki Edamame side. Never had it this way, but it was served whole---in their firm, inedible pods. I don't know if this is authentic/traditional, but I definitely prefer eating the beans without them. Probably steamed or boiled, then tossed in oil, garlic, and teriyaki, they require splitting with your fingers or utensils, or---in order to taste the garlic and teriyaki---putting the 2\" pod into your mouth, then pulling it as the naturally mild beans slip out. Maybe fine in the privacy of your own home...haha...but as that pile of translucent, stringy, emptied pods increases\n---while seated among other diners---not so much. Edamame are expensive, so the serving size would be quite small, but Enso's should consider offering just the beans---without pods---tossed in those great seasonings. 4.5 stars for flavor alone---excluding the required method of dispensing...heehee...and the \noff-putting visual. no-o-o. \n\n~~~\nIt's obvious that poor Enso's doesn't deserve a number of those low star reviews. Eliminating the illogical and mean-spirited from the equation, I'd re-adjust their average to at least 4 stars, maybe 4.5. \n\nRidiculously petty, even absurd issues, such as music choice...not enough sauce. duh. never thought to ask for more?...not trusting younger employees with raw food? Astute. How true...the older they are, the more careful and cleaner they are...and other goofy reasons, too, none of which stopped me from visiting. Instead of learning about Enso's, one can learn more about the characters and intelligence levels of some reviewers. \n\nSo, to be fair to Enso's---and other restaurants, too---rather than quickly scanning, use your noodle and take time reading those negative reviews, paying particular attention to the REASONS for low ratings. Before readily accepting, and leaning toward not visiting a location, ask yourself, \"Does this really make any sense?\" ... \"Was that just meant to be nasty?\" I guarantee that you'll pick up sarcasm, exaggeration, and even sheer stupidity, too, from some harsh, extreme reviews. \n\nAnd ALWAYS be wary and distrustful of any FIRST REVIEWS of 3 STARS OR LESS for newly-opened restaurants. Hell, these are NEW spots---they need room to breathe, for goodness sake. Smart, considerate diners will excuse shortcomings and not even bother writing nasty \"firsts\". But those with vindictive jealous streaks can't wait to be the \"first to review\" and make mad dashes to their keyboards. Pathetic.\n\nDisregard any comments dissing employees by stating---or even suggesting---that they're not seasoned, experienced sushi \"artists\". What? This is a friendly, clean **FAST FOOD JOINT**. They're doing their best to serve quick, affordable, raw and cooked, fresh, authentic and Americanized Asian dishes---all this, in a SUBURBAN SHOPPING CENTER. (I guess those reviewers didn't notice the Target, Lowe's, Original Pancake House---and the thousand parking spaces.) This isn't a $30-$35 a roll / 5-bucks-a-bite $$$ sushi bar in uptown Manhattan or downtown Tokyo. It's Westgate.\n\nJust visit Enso's. It might become a new favorite."^^ . "2015-01-03T00:00:00"^^ . . . "5"^^ .