August 26, 2008 09:00 am
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Sushi is an acquired taste, but if you like it as much as I do, you’ll be pleased to know that Joplin is getting another choice when it comes to this tasty Japanese dish.
The owners of Kobe Hibachi Grill and Sushi in Fayetteville, Ark., are planning to convert the former Garcia’s Mexican restaurant at Northpark Mall into Wasabi Grill and Sushi. The restaurant should open before the holiday season.
The Garcia’s property near the main entrance to the mall has been unoccupied since January. It most recently was The Hacienda, a Mexican restaurant that was in business for a relatively short period.
Wasabi Grill and Sushi will face some stiff competition from Joplin’s existing sushi bars: Ichiban Japanese Restaurant at 2914 E. 32nd St., and Tokyo Japanese Steak and Sushi Restaurant at 511 N. Range Line Road. These are both excellent places to get sushi.
Another place you can get pretty good sushi to go is Price Cutter Plus, a grocery store at 1832 S. Maiden Lane. Look for the display in the meat department.
I’m sure there are other sushi bars in the Joplin market that I’ve overlooked, but those are the main ones.
Of course, you can make your own sushi. It’s not that difficult. I’ve even made it. You can get all of the ingredients you need at Fox Farm Whole Foods, 2639 E. 32nd St. If you need instructions, Google “how to make sushi” and look for a Web site with the title “Make My Sushi.”
My sushi was a bit lumpy and a little heavy on the rice — about twice the size of normal sushi — but it captured the flavor. Making it can be a lot of fun and can be the theme of a low-budget party. What you learn, however, is that the people who do make it for a living are true artists.
Wasabi Grill and Sushi will have a lunch and dinner menu featuring numerous choices from the hibachi grill, sushi, sashimi and more. A full bar will be available.
Lori Jones, marketing director for the mall, said: “We see competition as choice, and choice is a good thing. It makes the pull to dine at Northpark Mall even stronger.”
Job fair
Looking for a job?
Today could be your lucky day.
Take your resume to the J.C. Penney court at Northpark Mall, where the Missouri Career Center is staging a job fair from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
“We have several employers scheduled to participate, with literally hundreds of full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs available,” said Leslie Abram, project coordinator for the Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Missouri.
Businesses scheduled to attend include Aegis Communications, Bordertown Casino, the city of Joplin, Con-way Truckload, Downstream Casino Resort, Freeman Health System, Leggett & Platt, St. John’s Regional Medical Center and Wal-Mart Stores.
If you have news about something happening on Range Line Road, dial (417) 623-3480, ext. 7250; or send an e-mail to wkennedy@joplinglobe.com; or send a fax to Wally Kennedy at (417) 623-8598.
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Photos
Wally Kennedy