I haven't had a whole week off, that is five consecutive work days in a row, since I went to Europe in 2006. There's no better reason to take a week than a European vacation, IMHO, but it's not a way to catch up on your sleep. So I decided to take this next week to rest, finally clean (out) my house and explore more of the Boston dining scene. I have a list of places to visit a mile long, so it's about time I get cracking.

I started out my vacation last night with a leisurely stroll into Belmont Center. The slow, one-mile walk was just what I needed to unwind after a stressful week. The only thing I allowed myself to think about at that point was:

1. Where will I order my dinner?
2. What book should I buy at the local B. Dalton while I'm waiting for it?

My options were thai (Patou), Kashish (Indian), Stone Hearth (pizza) and Asai (Japanese). I still hadn't tried Kashish or Asai, and I was in the mood for something lighter, so the decision was an easy one.

After living a year and a half in Belmont, I finally went to Asai Fine Japanese Cuisine. Something about this restaurant perched on the corner of Leonard and Moore Street never seemed particularly inviting to me. I always prefer intimate looking restaurants, whereas the large front windows and broad lettering of Asai demands your attention -- like something you'd see in a strip mall, not in quaint Belmont Center.

Belmont: Can we crack down on some signage laws like in Beacon Hill, where even the 7-11 looks classy?

And there's the snob in me.

Anyway, I wanted some sushi so in I went.

The place was full at 7:30 on Friday night. And the line at the counter in the back was three-people deep. You have to walk through the restaurant to get to the counter and hostess, which is a bit disconcerting at first, when you enter and immediately feel like you're stepping into someone's dining space. "Oh, hello! And what are you having this evening?"

I suppose it helps isolate the dining area from the take-out counter, but it does nothing to isolate the diners from the taker-outers.

After getting a lay of the land, I meandered my way to the back and reviewed the menu while waiting in line and watching the sushi chef put on his show. (I'm a multitasker.) The chef is literally on display in a framed stone archway. It's a bit like watching a puppet show. I was waiting for someone to bring in the hook. But he seemed to be doing a fine job -- as I'd find out later.

After five minutes of waiting in this hectic area, where orders are being placed and picked up, and guests are awaiting their tables, I placed my order for the Rainbow Roll (crabstick salad, cucumber and salad wrapped in fish fillets) and the Maguro (tuna). Other eye-catching menu items included:

* Bugoki Combo (marinated sliced beef) with rice salad, appetizer of the day and choice of soup for only $9.25.
* 12-Piece Sushi (nigiri and kappa maki) for only $8.25
* Udon with veggies for only $8.25
* Various pad thai dishes (shrimp, veggie, shrimp, spicy tofu, crispy), also for only $8.25 each.

And so much more. The menu has a lot of Japanese favorites and some Korean specialties. Most meals are no more than $10. Even the Party Boats are reasonably priced: $39.95 for 22 pieces and $72.95 for 45 pieces. I'd consider bringing a group to dig into one of those any day.

I was asked to wait only 10 minutes for my order, so I dashed across the street to the Charlesbank B. Dalton Bookshop. I stopped immediately at the new paperbacks and 20 minutes later settled on a quick read for the beach -- On Chesil Beach. It may turn out to be too quick considering I'm already half done with it and it's not a beach day, but that will inspire me to read one of the three-dozen other books I already own and have yet to read.

Deciding I didn't care how late I was to pick up the sushi (it is my vacation), I finally went back to find no line and the sushi ready to go. There was just a one-mile walk back home separating me from my raw tuna.

Chopsticks and two small containers of soy sauce included, I set myself up in front of the TV and turned on Meerkat Manor. Tease all you want, I love that show.

First bite of Rainbow Roll was excellent -- fresh, just sticky enough to bite into without totally losing the roll, and practically melt-in-your-mouth good. The seasoned rice they use is a bit sweeter than I'm used to (I get Whole Foods sushi almost weekly), but it was still quite tasty. Just a little different.

The Maguro however was entirely perfect. I should have just ordered 10 pieces of that and called it a day. I'm easily pleased by a slab of delicate, raw tuna on a bed of rice. It's so simple, yet so very good when dipped in extra wasabi soy sauce. Mmm. Wish I had some right now.

I was so full after my eight pieces of sushi that I canceled plans to make myself some popcorn to watch Cujo. (Free on demand right now.) I watched it anyway. I love that they actually used a real dog in that entire movie. There's no fake stuffed fluffy thing in the attack scenes... But that's for another blog.

If you're venturing out west of the city and want to try some tasty, well-priced Japanese cuisine, don't miss Asai -- so long as you're not looking for an intimate dining experience. You can grab some frozen yogurt at TCBY afterwards. If you get take-out, make it an even better meal by stopping at the new Vintages wine shop next door to pick up a crisp, cool white to accompany your dinner.

Stay tuned for my daily vacation updates.

Happy dining!
FC

Asai is located at 30 Leonard Street in Belmont Center. To order out, call (617) 489-6333. You won't have a problem finding on-street parking on Leonard or Moore.