I’m a big fan of Maido, the Japanese izakaya-style restaurant that’s a mainstay in Clifton. Its inventive approach to sushi and small plates has never disappointed me, so I was thrilled to hear that owner/chef Toki Masabuchi is working a little fusion magic with her new venture.
Dragon King’s Daughter puts a new spin on sushi and other Japanese fare, blending flavors from different cuisines and traditions to create an eclectic array of unexpected flavors. And an emphasis on affordable dining means two people can easily enjoy dinner for $30.
My boyfriend and I visited on a rainy Thursday evening, and the crowd was light. Three different staff members greeted us when we arrived, making this one of the friendlier dining spots we’ve visited recently. Because we had cocktail plans for later, we passed on the beer and wine. My boyfriend ordered a bottle of Thomas Kemper ginger ale ($3), and I stuck with water, served from a recycled wine bottle that was left on our table. I love this benign neglect — I don’t need my glass constantly refilled.
We started with an order of vegetable gyoza, Japanese potsticker dumplings fried to a satisfying crisp and served seven to an order ($4). They came with spinach vinaigrette, which tasted fresh but mild, and spicy mustard, which could have used a bit more kick. But that’s a small quibble; the dumplings themselves were filled with savory minced vegetables and took the edge off our hunger while we perused the menu.
The sushi options are intriguing (for example, the Italian picnic roll, a tempura asparagus roll topped with prosciutto, pine nuts and basil), but the variety of tacos caught my eye. The list ranges from Asian barbecue beef ($7) to teriyaki marinated tofu ($6), served three to a plate, an array of free toppings and sauces available.
I love fish tacos, so I chose the tempura-fried red snapper tacos ($8) with avocado and a mango chili sauce. Looking for a topping that would work with the Asian and Latin flavors of the dish, I added cilantro. The airy tempura batter didn’t overwhelm the mild fish, and the result was light and crispy. The zingy sauce drew out the sweetness in the fish and avocado.
My boyfriend ordered a hearty half-portion of the sashimi pizza ($8), an array of white and red tuna and salmon sashimi, red onion and sliced avocado served on flatbread. The toppings were fantastic, but the composition of the dish was a bit messy. The fish rested on a bed of spring mix, which did a poor job keeping the toppings anchored to the flatbread.
Overall, the dishes were flavorful and contained the small surprises I expect from casual fusion cuisine. With tax and tip, our bill was $29.38.
