By By Charles Ferranti, News Correspondent

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There’s something about sushi that seems to draw the hip, young and trendy college crowd. Sushi is foreign and exotic: ‘ a strange delicacy to the average American student. The trendy group and those who genuinely love a good sushi roll should check out the new installment in town.

Conveniently located right off campus, across Massachusetts Ave. from the Christian Science Center, J’s Tomodachi Sushi offers palatable rolls at student-friendly prices. Although the restaurant opened this April Fool’s Day, it’s is no joke.’

Modestly nestled underneath a large, concrete apartment building, the interior of the restaurant provides a young, modern contrast to its surroundings.’

The chairs placed at the tables of the small yet comfy seating area appear to be of a new-age design, which is reflected by the contemporary art that hangs from the walls.’

One of the more notable characteristics of the menu at J’s is the pricing: ‘ nearly all of the items fall under $10.

When first entering the restaurant, the atmosphere immediately gives a young and fresh impression. However, subtle hints of the restaurant’s Japanese heritage are apparent.’

J’s does not feel like it is meant to reflect the culture of Japan’s feudal Tokugawa period. Instead, patrons sense more of the Japanese culture this generation knows ‘- a boisterous, youthful and lively one.’

Beneath the colorful overhead lamps, and next to a traditional Japanese painting, is a typical sushi bar, where several guests can sit to watch the quick and dexterous sushi chefs prepare meals.’

At the tables, menus are already placed so patrons may look over the respectable, but not overwhelming, selection of items.’

Ordering is done either directly with the wait-staff or via a slip of paper where patrons are asked to mark what they would like.’

It can be surprisingly difficult to locate an item of choice on this slip, but servers do a commendable job, including constant and prompt refills of the complimentary hot green tea.’

Shumai ($3.50) is a decent appetizer consisting of six steamed shrimp dumplings, and not a bad dish to share while awaiting the meal, and the price seems fair enough.’

The Spicy Shrimp Tempura Rolls ($7.95), a main course, were presented neatly, in a way that was tempting both to the eyes and the palate. The five big rolls of sushi contain tempura shrimp, crabstick, cucumber, avocado, lettuce, tobiko and a spicy sauce. Displayed in a neat row, the rolls were placed carefully and deliberately. All but one roll was put together deftly, with the lone outlier only partially unrolling.’

The sushi dish was full of flavor and delivered a desirable contrast of salty sea shrimp and spicy sauce, not to mention the potent ginger and sinus-clearing wasabi offered on the side, which could only add to any sushi lover’s experience.’

This appeal has drawn mostly local college students, but she said they have had more and more professional business people visiting J’s during their lunch breaks.’

J’s has a direct appeal with nearby college youths due to its great location, student-friendly prices and later hours (for those with the late-night sushi munchies). Those who tend to hop over to Symphony Sushi to satisfy a sashimi temptation might want to try the new competition in town.’

J’s Tomodachi Sushi is located at 201 Massachusetts Ave. and is open 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays.

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