I did NOT want to cook tonight, and Adam and I both decided fairly early that we wanted sushi (are you surprised, seriously?) But, rather than going to our regular sushi place, Daruma, we went to a Japanese Seafood and Sushi Buffet called Todai. I’ve visited this place before, but never for dinner…and was I in for a surprise! I wasn’t able to get a good shot of the whole restaurant, but you can sort of see how huge it is behind this little lemon-looking mascot named Toby.
I ended up with a vast variety of food spread around 3 separate plates. First off was a mushroom salad, green bean salad, and a variety of delicious sushi roll pieces. I honestly don’t remember what they all are! I know there’s a spicy tuna on there, an avocado nigiri, and some marinated salmon sashimi:
Next came a shared plate of tempura which included shrimp, broccoli, sweet potato, and *gasp* KABOCHA SQUASH! There were also 2 pieces of tonkatsu (fried pork) and a small piece of very out-of-place pizza. I was thinking of so many of you as I ate my delicious kabocha tempura!
Next up were a few assorted nigiri, a couple rolls, and a HUGE glass of water.
Last, but certainly not least came dessert. They have DOZENS of tiny little desserts, and you all know how I feel about cute and tiny food… Clockwise from the top: chocolate roll, pineapple tart, cream puff, cheesecake, strawberry cake, and a shot glass of creme brulee.
It was a delicious meal, topped off with tiny desserts, and a trip to target for baby shower gifts… all in all, a great night!
What’s For Dinner is quite popular! I’m on ZestyCook with a guest post, and the wonderful Whitney in Chicago interviewed me for her “Gapers Block Drive Thru” post on Chicagoland bloggers. The photo is courtesy of the lovely Jenn, and thanks SO MUCH Whitney and Zesty for the opportunities!
I still have a ton of crocheting to do, as well as wedding invitations to address and stamp… so I’m signing off!
Have a great Thursday!
Tagged as:
Asian,
Chicago dining,
dinner,
dinner out,
sushi
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks to Toby, I’m now going to have nightmares – he’s a frightening little creature, haha
.-= VeggieGirl´s last blog ..Produce? Nuts? Grains? Deliciousness? Check! =-.
Kabocha sushi?! Holy goodness! I had kabocha mousse today, but I’m still jealous!
Love ya girl
.-= Chocolate-Covered Katie´s last blog ..In defense of Carbs =-.
I had Japanese yesterday and today! haha I can’t get enough! I had veggie tempura w/ mine tonight and it had a piece of kabocha too!! Mmm
.-= Christina´s last blog ..Pumpkin Cake =-.
Ooo never had kabocha tempura! Yummy
I’ve never been to Todai either, but I heard the one near me is crappy =/ Yours looks like it was good!
.-= Maggie´s last blog ..Recipe: Rice Cooker Oatmeal =-.
I ate at Todai in Vegas and it was awesome, I’m so jealous!
Really, is it true? Kabocha?? I have NEVER seen this wonderful veggie on a menu in my life, but if I did, I would not be able to pass it up.
Glad you had a wonderful night! These improptu week night dates are the best.
I’m with VG… Toby’s a little frightening.
Your dinner looks SO GOOD! The only time I’ve ever had Kobucha is in tempurah. I want to try making it myself!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Smooth Moves =-.
damn girl!! yum O. i want japanese foooooooooood
.-= glidingcalm´s last blog ..What’s the Big News!? =-.
those tiny desserts are so adorable!
.-= Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat)´s last blog ..You are not a unique snowflake. =-.
I saw your guest post at Zesty, Mara! CONGRATS!
And haha, I’ve been to Todai too many times before. I usually turn my nose up at buffest because I don’t think the quality of the food is worth it, but Todai is worth the money! And the food coma afterwards ….
Kev and I really enjoy Todai. We have only been twice but both times it was so good. I like choices! Never have seen the creme brulee there though. Everything looks good!
Great interview! It was fun getting to know you better. I sure hope we get the chance to meet up one day soon.
.-= Angie (Losing It and Loving It)´s last blog ..Weekly exercise check in =-.
What a fun night out, love all those little desserts, they are so cute, and the cheesecake looks fantastic.
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Counting Down the Days… =-.
Oh how jealous am I of a Japanese buffet! Hmm, you’d think in NYC I should be able to find something similar. I will have to investigate.
.-= Diana (Soap & Chocolate)´s last blog ..Pumpkin Lentil Stew =-.
You do really great pictures and posts however I was curious if you were on a maintenance program or if you were still trying to lose weight?
I was initially drawn to your blog because I thought it was for weight loss but that may have been my mistake. You eat alot of great looking food so I am jealous that you can do all that and still lose. You live in a place with alot of great food!
Hi Erin,
I am still trying to lose weight, and if you look at the majority of my recipes, they’re quite healthy and low-fat/calorie. I do still struggle with portion control, as indicated by the massive amounts of sushi I ate last night. Weight loss does NOT mean eating boring food! This is, primarily though, a cooking and recipe blog. I do speak about my weight loss occasionally, but not exclusively.
Well I really do enjoy the blog so that was my misinterpretation. I follow alot of food blogs that are healthy eating and working out as well like KERF and So She Glows. I think at the time I first started following you had done a post about plateauing or something to that effect so I misunderstood. Thanks for responding!
Also, no one can resist the massive intake of sushi, I am horribly guilty of that one as well.
Hey! I have totally been there! We ate there for thanksgiving two years ago. They had all you can eat crab legs and my husband loves crab! I really like that place!! it was so fun to see pictures!!!
I love Todai!! Any time I go to woodfield mall I have to stop there to eat.
ive always been a little afraid of trying todai…but it actually looks pretty good. now i want to try it!
.-= ash @ on the rocks´s last blog ..Day #7 =-.
This remindws me of the sushi buffet I visited during my trip home! I’m totally a three-plater too
It’s the only way to go in my book!
.-= Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog ..Packin’ It Up =-.