When we walked in the front door, I immediately noticed a lot of diners are “our peeps” (i.e. Asians).  That is typically a good sign as most Asian cultures are “food cultures” and as a result they know where to go for good eating.

The restaurant is tiny so we waited outside about 10 minutes before a table opened up.  Owner and Chef, Hideki Saito greeted us as we took our seats at the sushi counter.  The room was full and the staff lagged in coming back to take our drink order and bring menus.  However, they apologized and the service improved thereafter.

Chef Hideki Saito

We ordered the following dishes: salmon sashimi, sashimi entrée, lamb chops, Kobe beef, Poki salad, scallop sushi, spicy tuna hand roll, Ikura sushi (a.k.a. salmon eggs), sweet shrimp and miso black cod.  I must confess there was more devouring than note taking on this culinary expedition so my review will be a tad less detailed.

Some of the fish for the sushi and sashimi is flown in from Japan and as a result there is a night and day comparison between this and your average neighborhood sushi restaurant.  My salmon sashimi is cut into 10 thin slices and is buttery and melts in your mouth nearly as easily as a Lindt chocolate.  You will find no chewiness in this fish my friends.

Salmon Sashimi

Sashimi Entree

The lamb chops come in a light teriyaki sauce and I immediately notice that this lamb (New Zealand) is not nearly as “smelly” as the lamb I’m accustomed to.  This is really good lamb and yes I’m eating it at a Japanese restaurant, okay, technically a Japanese-French-Italian fusion restaurant.

Lamb Chops

Lamb Chops

After over three years of scouring our immediate neighborhood for an excellent restaurant I’m amazed that one has finally surfaced.  The thinly sliced Kobe beef tartare in ponzu sauce is simply delectable.

Kobe Beef Tartare

Poki Salad

The poki salad has items like sesame oil, cubes of tuna sashimi, mixed greens, octopus, shredded crab and avocado.  I’ve had a poki salad at a Hawaiian restaurant but it paled in comparison with this.  The scallop sushi is glistening (therefore I didn’t bother an attempt at a photo) with great tenderness and taste.  The sweet shrimp isn’t something I eat regularly but it ranks as one of the best I’ve had.  Seriously, the food here ranges from very good to amazing.

Sweet Shrimp Sushi

I love miso fish and the miso black cod is remarkable.  It is tender, flaky and has terrific miso flavor with the right amount of saltiness.

Miso Black Cod

Miso Black Cod

I didn’t sample Bella’s other dishes but her ear to ear smile tells me all I need to know.  Well, it took us nearly four years but we finally found a GREAT restaurant in our hood.  And as luck would have it, it’s right down the street.  The green tea creme brulee is well done and possesses a smooth creme beneath the crispy carmelized shell.  As is typical with Asian desserts, this is less sweet than a traditional creme brulee.

Green Tea Creme Brulee

Date of Visit: 3/11/2011; Restaurant:  Bistro Anju; Address: 23964 Aliso Creek Road, Laguna Niguel, CA  92677; Phone: 949-716-8882; Website: Visit Yelp.com (photos & more reviews).

Key: (5 star maximum per category).  Ambiance: ***.  Service: ****.  Food/Drink: *****.  Grade: A.