Ginza Japanese Restaurant: Fresh sushi in a convenient location

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C.T. Kruger

One of the featured and popular plates at the Ginza Japanese Restaurant on Mayfair Road is the Wauwatosa containing Tempura shrimp and avacado with spicy lobster and a special sauce on top.

C.T. Kruger

One of the featured and popular plates at the Ginza Japanese Restaurant on Mayfair Road is the Wauwatosa containing Tempura shrimp and avacado with spicy lobster and a special sauce on top.

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When Paul Xiao talks about his restaurant, Ginza Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, he's understated.

"The prices are really fair, and the decoration is modern and simple," he says. I think he's selling himself short.

Ginza (which is named after a large city in Japan) is one of very few sushi restaurants in the area. It's located in the One Mayfair Place shopping mall, which is across Mayfair Road from the northwest corner of Mayfair mall.

Since it opened in May of 2010, Ginza has been doing great business. A recent Groupon offering completely sold out and keeps the restaurant relatively full on most nights.

There are so many offerings on the menu that it's really difficult to choose just a few to feature, but these are some of the more popular rolls: Golden Dream - shrimp tempura ans avocado topped with sliced mango ($11); Scorpion King - soft-shell crab, avocado and cucumber, and caviar ($11); and the Wauwatosa Tempura - shrimp and avocado inside, topped with spicy lobster, served with chef's special sauce ($12.)

What is most amazing about Ginza is that the food is very reasonably priced, especially considering the quantity. Overall, it's an excellent value.

In addition to dining in their contemporary and attractive dining room, you can also elect to carry out your order or, if you live within three miles, you can have your food delivered.

All in all, Ginza makes a nice addition to the Wauwatosa dining scene, and Xiao (who spoke to us through interpreter/employee Hong (Karen) Chen) makes a good point about the location: "We're very near Mayfair mall, which makes it good for when you're tired after shopping."

That's an excellent idea, indeed.

The Basics

NAME: Ginza Japanese Restaurant

ADDRESS: 2727A N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa

PHONE: (414) 771-3333

WEBSITE: GinzaWauwatosa.com

FARE: Japanese food/sushi

HOURS: Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays; dinner is served from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.

PRICE RANGE: $3 to $48 (approximate)

RESERVATIONS: yes

HANDICAP ACCESS: yes

GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: no

LOOKING TO 'GRAB A BITE'?

"Grab a Bite" is an informal look at the food scene in the Wauwatosa, Brookfield and Elm Grove area by freelance writer Karen Waldkirch. Whether you're looking for a place for a date night or a casual spot for lunch, Waldkirch will be out and about scouting eateries for you. If you have a suggestion for a column, email her at kmwaldkirch@yahoo.com.