Sushi Roundup

Despite the fact that well more than 5,000 miles of ocean separates California from Japan, it is very easy to find quality sushi in Yolo County. Most sushi restaurants are located in Davis, with budget-friendly all-you-can-eat buffets popular with the large student population. There are also more upscale sushi establishments that local residents frequent, as well as a number of restaurants in Woodland. A quick stroll through downtown Davis will make the large number and popularity of sushi restaurants quickly evident, with lines that often reach around the block for the more popular sushi buffets.

Davis

Fuji Sushi Boat and Buffet ~ $13 gets you a full lunch sushi buffet, with all-you-can-eat rolls that travel around the restaurant on sushi boats. Very popular with students due to the relatively cheap cost, but make sure to get there early because the wait line often travels around the block. This is likely the most popular sushi restaurant in Davis.

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213 G St; (530) 753-3888; www.fujisushiboat.com

Lunch: Mon Sun 11am-2pm

Dinner: Mon-Sun 5-9pm

Davis Sushi Buffet ~ Cost range is $14-$20, popular with the all-you-can-eat student crowd. Dishes are ordered through a waiter instead of off sushi boats. Not as popular as Fuji but it still can get crowded in the evenings.

707 2^nd St; (530) 297-1999; www.davissushibuffet.com

Lunch: Mon-Sun 10:30am-2:30pm

Dinner: Mon-Sun 4:30-9pm

Mikuni ~ Part of a Northern California chain, Mikuni is located in the popular Davis Common and caters more to the upscale crowd than to students. It is more expensive at $12-$30 per dish, but it is a sit-down restaurant rather than a buffet and serves traditional Japanese dishes in addition to sushi. Mikuni also has outdoor seating and a bar with happy hour.

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500 1^st St, Suite 11; (530) 756-2111; www.mikunisushi.com

Lunch: Mon-Thu 11:30am-2pm, Fri-Sun 11:30am-4pm

Dinner: Mon-Thu 4:30-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 4-10pm, Sun 4-9pm

Zen Toro Japanese Bistro and Sushi Bar ~ This is the most popular sit-down Japanese restaurant in Davis, and with good reason. Like Mikuni, it attracts a more adult crowd. Prices range $12-$25 for dinner, but the portions are generous and the food quality excellent. Zen Toro has a quaint location in Mansion Square in the heart of downtown and boasts a stylish, modern interior. A reservation is recommended, especially for dinner on weekends.

132 E St, #1A; (530) 753-0154; www.zentorosushi.com

Lunch: Mon - Fri 11:30 am-2pm

Dinner: Mon - Thu 5:30-9pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10pm

Jusco ~ This is a small family-owned restaurant in downtown that offers made-to-order sushi rolls and a large menu as well as a buffet. The price range is reasonable at about $11-$20. Jusco is low-key, has an unimposing façade and is rarely crowded, giving it an undiscovered feel.

228 G St; (530) 750-2869

Lunch 11am-3pm

Dinner 4:45-10pm

Moshi Moshi

A small establishment in South Davis, Moshi Moshi offers sushi and traditional Japanese dishes in the $12-$20 range. Its location outside of downtown means it is relatively quiet, but it’s popular with local residents on the weekends. Service is friendly and efficient and the food is generously portioned.

2120 Cowell Blvd; (530) 758-8889

Lunch: Mon - Fri 11am-4pm, Sat 2-3pm

Dinner: Mon - Thu 4-9pm, Fri 4-10pm, Sat 3-10pm

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/1wlB2xE

Sushi Unlimited ~ Like Mikuni, Sushi Unlimited is also part of a Northern California chain. It offers a large menu including sushi rolls, nigiri, and a variety of traditional Japanese dishes. Its location in North Davis well away from downtown makes this a very quiet restaurant that is almost never crowded. It offers dine-in and takeout options and is a sit-down restaurant, not a buffet.

620 W Covell Blvd # B; (530) 758-4560; www.sushiunlimited.net

Mon-Thu 11am-9:30pm

Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Sun 11am-9pm

Enju ~ A new sushi restaurant in Davis, Enju offers a more traditional menu with a fusion influence in the $9-$18 range, making it popular with students. The service is excellent and the waiters friendly and attentive.

305 1^st St; (530) 746-2326

Sun-Thu 11am-9:30pm

Fri-Sat 11am-11:30pm

Oshio Café ~ Oshio is a small café located right next to the UC Davis campus, making it very popular with students. It offers a Japanese/Korean mix of dishes mostly less than $10 for the budget crowd.

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207 3^rd St; (530) 750-5012

Mon-Sat 10:30am-9:30pm

Nami Sushi ~ Nami just opened and is located outside of downtown, making it less crowded than some of the other popular sushi restaurants. It offers a polished, traditionally decorated interior with a full menu, made-to-order sushi, and a bar. Lunch is $13 and dinner is $18 for all-you-can-eat sushi.

2880 5th St, Suite 105; (916) 999-1113

Lunch: Mon - Fri 11am-2:30pm, Sat - Sun 12-3pm

Dinner: Mon - Fri 4:30-9pm, Sat 5-9:30pm, Sun 5-9pm

Woodland

Jinju Sushi ~ A pleasant atmosphere and great quality food makes this a very popular restaurant. There is a bar and sit-down options, with friendly service and prompt food delivery. The price range is reasonable at $10-$20 per dish. This is one of the most highly praised sushi restaurants in Yolo County so make a reservation if you’re planning on going for dinner, especially on the weekend!

467 Pioneer Ave; (530) 666-7575; www.jinjusushi.com

Sun – Thu 11am – 9pm, Fri – Sat 11am – 10pm

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/1t2xBd7

Osaka Sushi ~ Osaka is located in historic downtown Woodland and offers sushi and traditional Japanese dinners in a sit-down setting instead of a buffet. The cost range is $10-$30, making it slightly more expensive than other options. It has locations in Sacramento as well.

608 Main St; (530) 668-6288; www.osakasushi.com

Lunch: Mon - Sat 11:30am-2pm

Dinner: Mon - Sat 5-9pm

The Woodland Tomato Festival

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In celebration of Yolo County’s longtime #1 cash crop, the 7^th Annual Woodland Tomato Festival will be hosting a variety of entertainment events on August 9th. The free-admission festival hosted by the Woodland Farmer’s Market will run from 9:00am to 2:00pm and feature live music all day and tomato-themed activities. Located on Main Street in historic downtown Woodland, visitors can enjoy the regularly scheduled Farmer’s Market as well as tomato tasting from local growers, a salsa tasting competition, a chef competition, face painting and game rentals for children, and over 60 vendor booths.

Starting at 9:30am, visitors will be able to participate in a salsa competition featuring a dozen local restaurants, including El Patio, Hecho en Mexico, and last year’s winner, Maria’s Cantina. At 11:00am, the “Iron Chef” inspired chef competition will commence, featuring guest judges and top local chefs vying for the top spot by cooking creative tomato dishes. Visitors can also indulge in local produce at the Woodland Farmer’s Market, held concurrently with the festival, as well as enjoy the leafy streets and businesses of downtown Woodland.

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Live music and demonstrations will accompany the event, with the Dynamic Dancing Troup kicking off the entertainment at 9:00am. Next, the Putah Creek Crawdads will croon for the crowds, followed by Trick Roper James Barrera and an exciting demo from the Kuk Sool Won Martial Arts School. The Highway 16 Band and Kick N 60’s will round out the music entertainment for the day.

Situated in close proximity to Sacramento, Davis, Vacaville, and other local cities, the Woodland Tomato Festival is the perfect day trip for those looking for a Saturday of tomato-flavored fun. For more information, visit www.woodlandtomatofestival.com or call (530)666-2626.

Farm-to-Fork Events Late Summer/Fall 2014

Wine and Cheese Faire

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Located at the historic Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, the Wine and Cheese Faire event features the gathering of ten local wineries and gourmet cheesemakers for a full day of celebration. In addition to wine and cheese tasting, there will be a spread of other products to taste and purchase, including olive oils, chocolate, nuts, produce, teas, spices, and jams. Live music from local bands will complement visitors as they enjoy the Old Sugar Mill’s alluring charm and pleasant outdoor patios and lawns. The Faire will be held from 11am to 5pm on August 9^th and 10^th. Tickets cost $25 purchased in advance online or $40 at the door. For more information, visit www.oldsugarmill.com or call (916) 744-1615.

Photo Credit: http://www.yololandtrust.org/

A Day in the Country

Organized by the Yolo Land Trust, A Day in the Country is an event held at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg that will feature food tastings prepared by chefs from twenty local restaurants. The event will support local agriculture by using ingredients grown on Yolo County farms and ranches. Participating establishments include Capay Organic/Farm Fresh to You, Putah Creek Winery, Berryessa Brewing Company, and the Buckhorn Steakhouse. Proceeds will go to the Yolo County Land Trust, which preserves Yolo County’s agricultural heritage. A Day in the Country will be held September 7^th from 3-6pm. Tickets can be purchased online for $85 for adults and $20 for children 6 to 15 years old. For more information, visit yololandtrust.org or call (530) 662-1110.  

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Farm to Table Dinner

The Yolo County Farm Bureau’s Farm to Table Dinner event will be held at the beautiful and rustic Windmill Vineyards in Woodland on September 13^th. Celebrating a century of harvests, the dinner will feature a four course meal sourced from local farmers with proceeds going to local agricultural education. Tickets cost $100 for the 5pm event. For more information, visit www.yolocountyfarmbureau.org or call (530)662-6316.   

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Farm-to-Fork Festival

The 2^nd Annual America’s Farm-to-Fork Festival will take place on the iconic Capitol Mall in Sacramento from September 13-28^th. One of the biggest regional events, the free-admission Festival will feature food and drinks from local farms, ranches, wineries, breweries, and restaurants. There will also be live music, cooking shows, a kids’ play area, and booths from local establishments including farms and ranches, grocery stores, the Yolo County Visitors Bureau, and UC Davis, among others. The Festival is a celebration of local food and drink as well as a display of where our food is sourced. For more information, visit www.farmtofork.com or call (916) 808-7777.

Capay Organic Farm-to-Fork Dinner

This summer farm feast presented by Capay Organic/Farm Fresh to You on August 17^th will feature an outdoor setting and a four-course dinner made from local, organic and seasonal ingredients. The meal will be prepared by local standout Chef Oliver Ridgeway of Sacramento’s Grange Restaurant & Bar, with local wines and beer complementing the menu. Capay Organic Chief Farmer Thaddeus Barsotti and Chef Ridgeway will give talks throughout the evening about their inspiration and passion for sustainable food and agriculture. Proceeds will go to the Kathleen Barsotti Non-Profit for Sustainable Agriculture and the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. The event runs from 4:30-8:00pm on the Capay Organic Farm and tickets cost $125. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/1qVzmZn.

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