Looking for a place to schnizel your nizel?
The North Market, located at 59 Spruce St. (near Nationwide Arena) is an array of small shops, the majority of them being of the culinary persuasion. There are bakeries, ribs, desserts; all kinds of ethnic cuisine, hard to find ingredients, spices and alcohol and fresh produce are all represented in this large warehouse-like building.
Co-reviewer Ann likened the North Market to something out of Sydney, Australia, or the Pacific Northwest where you can walk around and see a variety of places that aren’t generally restaurant chain oriented.
Nida’s Sushi, which is located near the Park and Spruce Street entrance, offers daily fresh made sushi at reasonable prices, as well as Japanese-Asian groceries and gifts.
Nida’s has a small bar-like table with six chairs where you can sit and eat, or you can head up to the second level of the building and sit at one of the many tables there.
I started off with the Age Tofu ($3.50), which is fried tofu with bonito flakes and onions and tempura sauce. I’m not a big fan of tofu; however, in the fried form, I found it edible and at times appetizing. The small cubes had light, crunchy exteriors and soft insides. The tempura sauce added much-needed flavor.
Co-reviewer Joe Milonario tried the Miso Soup ($1.50). “Me so satisfied,” he said. The fish stock, scallion, seaweed and tofu were served in a generously sized cup for the price.
The orangish color of the salmon in the Salmon and Avocado Roll ($4.95) was surprising, said Joe Milonario. “The avocado was good, but the salmon wasn’t bursting with flavor.”
Luckily Nida’s was generous in its supplying of ginger, thinly sliced, to help ease the stomach.
Ann tried the Kappa Maki ($3.25), or cucumber roll. Not liking the normal seaweed wrap, Nida’s was nice enough to give her an alternative made with soybean for an extra quarter. The actual roll as a whole was fairly simple and good for someone who isn’t looking to eat raw fish, she said.
I tried the Kamikaze ($5.50), which included spicy tuna, scallion, and tobiko. The spice really made the roll. The flavor was heavy, yet the roll itself was fairly light and easy to eat.
The Hirame, or halibut nigiri ($2 for 1 piece — $9.95 for seven pieces) wasn’t bad, but wasn’t great either. There was a thick piece of halibut over the rice, but it was a bit lackluster for my demanding taste. I had to use more wasabi than I usually do to make up for it.
For those of you who are afraid to try sushi, hear this: three-year-old co-reviewer Max enjoyed some of Ann’s sushi, as well as the fried tofu and Miso soup.
He said he enjoyed the meal. He goes to day care, and his shoes light up, and he eats sushi. You really don’t have an excuse not to. Believe me, your stomach isn’t as delicate as you would like to believe.
Max even went as far as to dip the tofu into the soup, which Joe Milonario said was the best use of tofu since tofutti.
Nida’s also serves Pad Thai Noodles ($5.95), with egg, shrimp, chicken, green onion, bean sprouts and peanuts.
Desserts include Japanese Green Tea & Red Bean Ice Cream and Green Tea Mochi Ice Cream.
They have daily combinations ($9.75 — $19.75), party trays and catering. You can call 614-228-4470 for more information.
Roughly all of the stores at the North Market, including Nida’s Sushi, close at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. during the week.
Nida’s is a great place to have your first bite of sushi if you haven’t already (though I’m sure most of you have). The prices are easy on the wallet (some of the items are cheaper than the grocery store) and the ingredients are fresh and gentle on the belly.
Nicholas Gill is a senior in English and journalism. He welcomes your questions, comments, love letters, hate mail and hundred verses in ragtime at [email protected].
