Tachikawa
20150324:
The texture of the albacore tataki was a nice mix between cooked salmon and smoked salmon (in hindsight, this makes sense because the albacore was probably seared).
The nine-piece sashimi combo had salmon, tuna, and super white tuna.
The tuna tasted okay, and I liked the salmon's texture more than the tuna's texture, but I felt like both the salmon and the tuna were not as fresh and not as tight as they should be. The super white tuna tasted a bit of fishier (not necessarily good) and was a bit tougher (good) than both the salmon and the tuna.
Furthermore, I disliked the taste of the restaurant's ginger, though perhaps I was being overly critical.
In any case, I ordered a dragon roll before the sashmi combo was brought out, thinking I would be hungry. However, I was quite content after having the albacore and the sashimi. 2:01PM PT For the record, in addition to the albacore and sashimi, I originally wanted uni (sea urchin), but they were out of it.
When the dragon roll arrived, I found it had a strange presentation: long and skinny. The rice tasted a bit soggy and perhaps there was not enough vinegar. Actually, perhaps the vinegar was okay, but the avocado was a bit ripe.
As I reached the end of the roll, I found it taste a bit better, but I also felt there might have been too much avocado. Overall, I thought the dragon roll was just average, if not slightly below average. 2:11PM PT
However, I'd place the overall experience as average.
[20151009 Edit]
20150919:
Today I was craving sushi and decided to come back to Tachikawa and give it another try.
Unfortunately, having ordered the twelve-piece sashimi combo, I was quite disappointed.
Starting with the salmon, I essentially encountered the same problem today as my last visit: the salmon did not taste fresh and lacked flavor.
The white fish was relatively softer. The tuna (dark red) had a nicer, thicker texture. Finally, the remaining variety tasted best, mainly due to the texture.
Before making a second round, I noted that the wasabi here was mild.
During the second and third rounds, I noted that the white fish tasted much worse than the salmon, and that the tuna was more or less on par with the salmon.
While still finishing the sashimi platter, I tried ordering uni and tamago nigiri, but they had neither, and so I ordered an unakyu roll (eel and cucumber) instead. When it arrived, I gave it a taste and had to focus intently in order to taste the eel.
Overall, I came due to my craving, but the food here was a bust. 7:12PM PT
Tachikawa
Relevant Links:
Tachikawa Website
Tachikawa Japanese Restaurant - Pinole, CA (Yelp.com)
The texture of the albacore tataki was a nice mix between cooked salmon and smoked salmon (in hindsight, this makes sense because the albacore was probably seared).
The nine-piece sashimi combo had salmon, tuna, and super white tuna.
 |
| Albacore Tataki 5 (20150324) |
The tuna tasted okay, and I liked the salmon's texture more than the tuna's texture, but I felt like both the salmon and the tuna were not as fresh and not as tight as they should be. The super white tuna tasted a bit of fishier (not necessarily good) and was a bit tougher (good) than both the salmon and the tuna.
Furthermore, I disliked the taste of the restaurant's ginger, though perhaps I was being overly critical.
In any case, I ordered a dragon roll before the sashmi combo was brought out, thinking I would be hungry. However, I was quite content after having the albacore and the sashimi. 2:01PM PT For the record, in addition to the albacore and sashimi, I originally wanted uni (sea urchin), but they were out of it.
 |
| Sashimi Combo - 9 pieces 13 (20150324) Salmon (top left), Tuna (bottom), and Super White Tuna (top right) |
When the dragon roll arrived, I found it had a strange presentation: long and skinny. The rice tasted a bit soggy and perhaps there was not enough vinegar. Actually, perhaps the vinegar was okay, but the avocado was a bit ripe.
As I reached the end of the roll, I found it taste a bit better, but I also felt there might have been too much avocado. Overall, I thought the dragon roll was just average, if not slightly below average. 2:11PM PT
However, I'd place the overall experience as average.
 |
| Dragon Roll 13 (20150324) |
[20151009 Edit]
20150919:
Today I was craving sushi and decided to come back to Tachikawa and give it another try.
Unfortunately, having ordered the twelve-piece sashimi combo, I was quite disappointed.
Starting with the salmon, I essentially encountered the same problem today as my last visit: the salmon did not taste fresh and lacked flavor.
 |
| Sashimi Combo - 12 pieces (20150919) |
The white fish was relatively softer. The tuna (dark red) had a nicer, thicker texture. Finally, the remaining variety tasted best, mainly due to the texture.
Before making a second round, I noted that the wasabi here was mild.
During the second and third rounds, I noted that the white fish tasted much worse than the salmon, and that the tuna was more or less on par with the salmon.
 |
| Unakyu Roll (20150919) |
While still finishing the sashimi platter, I tried ordering uni and tamago nigiri, but they had neither, and so I ordered an unakyu roll (eel and cucumber) instead. When it arrived, I gave it a taste and had to focus intently in order to taste the eel.
Overall, I came due to my craving, but the food here was a bust. 7:12PM PT
Tachikawa
Relevant Links:
Tachikawa Website
Tachikawa Japanese Restaurant - Pinole, CA (Yelp.com)
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