Joshu-ya Brasserie- Berkeley

By Carol & Joe Davis
Dining Detectives

click on image to enlarge & get caption

We always enjoy walking around Berkeley near the University, as it has such an eclectic nature. We have been very successful finding quite a few reasonably priced restaurants with great food and character. We had heard that Joshu-ya Brasserie on Dwight Way just off of Telegraph had a new owner, a new expanded menu featuring contemporary Japanese Cuisine and was recently renovated. So we decided to try it for dinner. The decor features a Sushi Bar, bamboo accents, two dining rooms, as well an outdoor patio. The menu is extensive and the cuisine is made with the highest quality seasonal, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. We began our dinner with a cold Sho Chiku Bai Nama Sake. This organic rice sake was smooth and had a hint of fruit. A cold Draft Sapporo Beer also helped to wet our appetites.

Our favorite starter was the Seared Hokkaido Scallops served in a wild mushroom bacon sauce nestled in a blend of mashed potatoes. Next, we had the spicy and ultra fresh Jalapeño Hamachi Carpaccio with sweet ponzu. This was a perfect pairing of sweet and spicy with the Jalapeno pepper. The Tuna Tataki with mustard sauce was also excellent and included a salad with luscious dressing.

We are glad that we tried the Miso Soup, as it was perfectly balanced. You must have the Creekstone Farms Angus sliced Rib eye which was prepared with a white wine butter sauce. The Alamos Malbec from Argentina paired perfectly with the beef. We saved room for Dessert. The Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake with Cherry Blossom Ice Cream was a unique and tasty finish to our well paced dinner.

We were impressed by the quality of the cuisine. We chatted with Chef/Owner Jason Kwon who told us that his happiness is derived from seeing the smiles on his customer's faces. Joshu-ya Brasserie serves healthy and tasty Japanese cuisine catering to students, locals and discerning Japanese cuisine fans. They offer California & Argentina Wines, Japanese Craft Beer, Sake and Sake cocktails and are open for lunch and dinner.

Joshu-ya Brasserie-Berkeley
2441 Dwight Way (at Telegraph Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94704
510.848.5260
www.Joshu-Ya.com