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By the time I got back to my motel room, after spending a long day taking photos of railroad action - also known as railfanning - on nearby Cajon Pass, I was exhausted, and driving wasn't an option for me. Lucky for me, I love Japanese cuisine, and the fact that Sushi Tomo, located in North San Bernardino, was only a two-block stroll from my motel room. You can't beat that! As with all of reviews that I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: It's almost 8 in the evening on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, and after a hard day of taking photos of railroad action on Cajon Pass, I'm ready to enjoy an enjoyable dinner at Sushi Tomo and to relax. Thank goodness this fine Japanese restaurant was only a couple of short blocks from my motel room.
Photo: As you walk in the restaurant, you'll immediately notice the long counter, the sushi chef working behind the counter, and the sports bar-like atmosphere.
Photo: The dining room is quite large, and was about half full on this early Tuesday evening. When I dine at a sushi restaurant, I prefer to sit at the counter, so I can get a view of the chef in action, as their choreographed maneuvers always fascinate me.
Photo: My friendly server, Cindy, rings up a customer who has picked up a "to-go" order. Sushi Tomo is located near California State University, San Bernardino, so, predictably, there is a huge volume of take-out orders.
Photo: View of the long counter, with the sushi chef's workstation in the background.
Photo: Mr. Sushi Chef in action, as I watch him perform my magic from my seat at the counter. I never fails to fascinate me to watch a sushi chef practice his or her trade.
Photo: The dinner menu is extensive and offers several pages of sushi, and other Japanese classic dishes, but I zeroed in on the page of Bento Box options, as I am a "Bento Box Believer..." Another major reason is that miso soup is included with every Bento Box I've ever ordered, and I'm a major fan of miso soup. I ended up with a Bento Box, with the two "items" as mixed tempura and gyoza, as I'm a sucker for tempura fried ANYTHING!
Photo: Shortly after placing my order, my friendly server, Cindy brought a bowl of miso soup, a large "Sapporo" beer, along with a frosted mug. Great way to begin a meal...
Photo: Mmmmmmm.... a bowl of miso soup and a large "Sapporo" beer. Whenever I dine at a sushi restaurant, I always order miso soup, even if it's not included with the meal or the roll, as I absolute love the soup!
Photo: My friendly server, Cindy, brings my Bento Box to me with a smile. Cindy was very attentive, friendly and talkative, and was very happy to answer my many questions, and to have me take photos of her, and the restaurant. I wish there were more servers like Cindy! The only disadvantage of ordering a Bento Box over a Sushi Roll is that the Bento Boxes are prepared in the kitchen, out of sight behind a swinging door, as opposed to a Sushi Roll, which is prepared as you watch, by a master chef.
Photo: On my request, I asked Cindy to take my photo, and she cheerfully obliged. It's good my motel room was only a couple blocks away, as the 24-oz "Sapporo" beer would render driving not to be an option. Uber anyone?
Photo: My "two item" Bento Box dinner. To describe it only one word... amazing! Delicious would also apply. So what is a Bento Box at Sushi Tomo? For starters, you get the choice of two "items" from the menu, if you're ordering a "Two Item Bento Box" - simple math - like I did tonight. My "items" were Mixed Tempura and Gyoza, but it was definitely a difficult choice on my part, as all the menu choices looked amazing. All Bento Boxes include rice, salad, sliced cucumbers, and "gyoza" sauce. Mmmmm.... You can't beat the fresh salad, sliced cucumbers or the sauce. It's all delicious, fresh and tastes wonderful. I especially went "bonkers" over the rice; the menu advertised it as "steamed rice," but this was some of the best white rice I've ever tasted. Now my "items..." mixed tempura and gyoza. Gyoza are little Asian dumplings, similar to potstickers, with a definite Japanese flair. The mixed tempura included three large shrimp, carrots and squash, fried in light, delicious tempura batter. I'm a definite "sucker" for tempura! Tonight's dinner was simply wonderful... The food was delicious, and I loved the friendly "sports bar" atmosphere, along with the cheerful customers and staff. It's always fun to watch a sushi chef at work - even though I went the route of the Bento Box - and miso soup is always a wonderful way to start a meal. Sushi Tomo should be on your list when you're in the mood for a great Japanese dining experience in North San Bernardino. Sushi Tomo Copyright(c) 2018 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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