How cool - there is yet another sushi joint open in the downtown area for MY mackerel eating pleasure.  It is called Sushi Hana (as opposed to the very good Sushi Hama in the Northeast Heights), and is located at 6th & Central, right in the pit of downtown bar scene.  I’m pasting right in their press release, which I received today:

“Kathy Chao, owner of Sushi Hana located on the northeast corner of 6th and Central would like to announce the restaurant’s opening to the Downtown community.

Come and try a variety of sushi roles and menu items for lunch or dinner all seven days of the week. Set in a Modern Asian atmosphere with bar and table service available, Sushi Hanna features the freshest product on the market, assembled by a team of experienced sushi chefs.

Open weekdays 11:00a.m-9:30p.m and weekends from 11:00am-10:30p.m.”

I often have the thought that I don’t visit certain restaurants enough. Really, though, there are only so many meals in the week and calories I can ingest before I start to inflate.

Even in a city as “small” as Albuquerque, we have a good number of restaurants, most of them worthy of patronage any day of the week. So when I visit an old favorite and realize that I really still like them, inevitably I feel a pang of guilt for not eating there more often. In small ways, I hope that I can help them out by encouraging others to go instead through my writing, blogging, and just conversations with friends.

Slate Street Cafe is one of those great spots, with pleasing food and stylish decor. I was writing about them earlier today and had the occasion to describe where they existed in the local restaurant scene, “They are a go-to place when Artichoke is too fancy, Relish is too casual, and you’ve forgotten that Chef du Jour exists.”

That sums it up nicely, while even giving props to that other go-to gem on San Pasquale.

The brewpub’s popularity cannot be stopped.

Case in point: Kelly’s patio on any evening that is not 5 degrees and snowing.

Case in point: An hour-long wait at Chama River most evenings.

Case in point: A NEW brewery and restaurant, called Marble Brewery is opening just north of the downtown area, quenching the thirst of all of we office workers whose drive home looks long when viewed from happy hour.

The owners (part of the Rio Chama group) will keep things simple, offering their own crafted beers along with a small menu of sandwiches from Chama River, completed onsite. The location couldn’t be more convenient - between Lomas and Mountain on Marble Ave, perfect for these summery evenings as the sun is getting golden.

Soft opening (which means they’re testing the waters and the menu) was yesterday evening, and once things really start rolling I hope the feedback is all good.