Spring Break
Asian tapas restaurant deemed tasty
by Matt Brown
Staff Writer
Food | 9/18/07
Posted online at 2:02 AM EST on 9/18/07
Ponzu (286 Moody St.) is no longer a newcomer to the Waltham ethnic restaurant scene. Since opening in May 2006, this restaurant has specialized in cuisine from "Far East & the Rest." Situated mere yards from both Asian Grill and Tom Can Cook, Ponzu complements its more established pan-Asian brethren nicely.
Before I get to the food, here's a bit about the actual restaurant. The interior has that formally informal feel to it, accentuated by the movie-theme Muzak (Beauty and the Beast, lounge-ified). There's a sizable sushi bar, but also a number of tables for a more private meal.
The restaurant specializes in creative dishes-a mere glance at the menu will quickly reveal a less-than-traditional item. Ponzu serves what it has dubbed "Asian tapas," cooked and raw, ranging from a standard vegetable spring roll ($6.95) to an intriguing tuna lollipop ($10.95) to a questionable sushi pizza ($9.95). Among its entrées Ponzu includes such disparate selections as a sashimi margarita plate ($24.95) and Malaysian Indian-style noodle stir-fry ($11.25).
But it is the cut rolls, or maki, with which Ponzu truly shines. The cut rolls are broken up into four sub-menus: house specials, rice paper (for the carb-conscious), American and international. The third includes the familiar California and Philadelphia rolls, but also an Essex fried clam roll ($9.95)-fried clams aren't exactly the first thing to pop into my head at the mention of Asian food. What stood out most to me was the Mexican salsa shrimp tempura roll with sour cream ($9.95)-and I would have ordered that, if I ate shrimp.
But enough about the restaurant's novelties-here's what I ordered.
Ponzu-marinated tuna with edamame puree on wonton crisp ($8.95): If Ponzu has one fault, it's that most of their offerings don't have catchy names. While the item names are cumbersome, at least you know what you're getting. The tuna was nice and fatty, and the ponzu -a citrus-based Japanese sauce-really complemented the fish, edemame and crisp flavors.
Before I get to the food, here's a bit about the actual restaurant. The interior has that formally informal feel to it, accentuated by the movie-theme Muzak (Beauty and the Beast, lounge-ified). There's a sizable sushi bar, but also a number of tables for a more private meal.
The restaurant specializes in creative dishes-a mere glance at the menu will quickly reveal a less-than-traditional item. Ponzu serves what it has dubbed "Asian tapas," cooked and raw, ranging from a standard vegetable spring roll ($6.95) to an intriguing tuna lollipop ($10.95) to a questionable sushi pizza ($9.95). Among its entrées Ponzu includes such disparate selections as a sashimi margarita plate ($24.95) and Malaysian Indian-style noodle stir-fry ($11.25).
But it is the cut rolls, or maki, with which Ponzu truly shines. The cut rolls are broken up into four sub-menus: house specials, rice paper (for the carb-conscious), American and international. The third includes the familiar California and Philadelphia rolls, but also an Essex fried clam roll ($9.95)-fried clams aren't exactly the first thing to pop into my head at the mention of Asian food. What stood out most to me was the Mexican salsa shrimp tempura roll with sour cream ($9.95)-and I would have ordered that, if I ate shrimp.
But enough about the restaurant's novelties-here's what I ordered.
Ponzu-marinated tuna with edamame puree on wonton crisp ($8.95): If Ponzu has one fault, it's that most of their offerings don't have catchy names. While the item names are cumbersome, at least you know what you're getting. The tuna was nice and fatty, and the ponzu -a citrus-based Japanese sauce-really complemented the fish, edemame and crisp flavors.
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