By Cindy Butler Focke

Correspondent

Bayside

David Osborne heard good things about the restaurant Nara Sushi, so he googled the name for an address and headed out to lunch with Amerigroup co-workers Christina Keesecker and Bing Zhu.

They arrived at the Japanese eatery only to find a sign that directed them to the new site at Independence Boulevard and Haygood Road.

The threesome traveled less than a mile to enjoy what Osborne described as a "great, enjoyable lunch."

He ordered the $9 Deluxe Bento, which included soup, salad, rice, a spicy tuna roll and katsu, a chicken cutlet breaded with Japanese spices and lightly fried, all served in a traditional wooden Japanese box.

"This is good. It's reasonable for all the food you get," he said.

"David likes to eat a lot," kidded Keesecker, who raved about the tempura sweet potatoes. Zhu said the cuisine was delicious, the atmosphere relaxing.

"And quiet," added Osborne.

"This is the same Nara. That is how we want it," said Elaine Lee, who, with her husband, Eric Lee, owns the restaurant.

The couple, originally from Malaysia, has been married for six years and resides in Aragona with their son, Alec, 5.

Three years ago they bought Nara Sushi, then located in Giant Square Shopping Center, 717 Independence Blvd. The restaurant moved in May, after the property was sold to make way for a Lowe's.

Elaine Lee said the new location, which seats 40, is similar in size to the old, featuring a modern motif, with 10 tables, a sushi bar and the same menu.

Tangerine walls areadorned with framed photographs of mouth-watering Japanese appetizers and entrees. The restaurant is open for lunch or dinner.

"The food is as good as always," said regular customer Dave Fliesen, who is retired from the Navy. The Strawbridge resident said he enjoys the "warmth and friendliness" of the Lees and their staff.

Irv Lindley said he and Fliesen patronize the restaurant often because "we happen to like sushi."

"They have an innovative menu, very creative," added the Portsmouth resident, an Army retiree.

Appetizers start at $4.50 and include their most popular Tropical, which is stacked tuna, lobster, mango and avocado, topped with a creamy spicy sauce, for $12.50. Lunch specials range from $7.25 to $14 and dinners begin at $9.50.

The Nara special rolls' list includes 25 selections, including the Crazy Angel, described by Eric Lee as a customer favorite and consisting of seared tuna, asparagus, salmon, white fish and eel, for $13.50.

The Ragin Cajun is $9.95 and features tempura crab with a Cajun spice, cucumber and lettuce, while the Yahoo Roll for the same price is made of shrimp, cucumber and tuna with spiced jalapeno.

"We now offer brown rice sushi for a healthier choice," Eric Lee said.

Daily specials are offered, as are takeout and catering for office and private parties.

Cindy Butler Focke, butler496@aol.com [1]