All Drew Can Eat Sushi

A Halloween lunch should be spooky theorizes Drew, but when his publisher invites him to lunch Drew does not quibble about the atmosphere or lack of gastronomic ghoulishness. "Sushi or Thai?" asks Sean.

"I'm good with either," replies Drew. "With a slight preference for sushi today."

"Sushi it is," says Sean.

They meet at Masa Sushi, 15 Charles St E, for the all you can eat sushi luncheon. At first Drew is sceptical, years ago he ate often at this location and mainly because it was filling and cheap, not because of quality. In those bygone days the offerings were arranged in a buffet which always leads to the temptation of filling up on noodles. Walking into Masa, Drew is pleased to see that there has been a full renovation. Instead of a dark almost-cafeteria ambience (which actually would have been more suitable to Halloween) everything is bright, golden and faux-Buddhist palace. And there is no longer a buffet, one orders from a menu and everything is prepared fresh and delivered to the table.

And the price is still great: $11.95 per person.

Sean orders a lot of food and Drew adds a few items to the order: Sean is extremely health-conscious but Drew has a passion for all things shrimp and deep-fried, so Dynamite Rolls have to be included. The sushi is fresh, tasty and copious - Sean and Drew didn't realize that each order included six to eight pieces. However the food does all disappear. Only the tempura disappoints as it just a little greasy.

For $11.95 one can't expect sashimi and that is Raul's big grudge against sushi restaurants in general. "It's impossible to eat $11.95 worth of rice," he notes. "So it's almost never a bargain. I'll get some sushi-grade tuna and make us a feast for half the price."

"Fine by me," says Drew who is too stuffed and content to care. His only pressing concern is how he will find room for Halloween candy.