Crave Seafood? Think Tenno!

When the craving for seafood sets in, as it does a lot these days, I immediately think of Tenno Sushi and Seafood Grill in Old Pasadena because the restaurant offers great tasting fresh fish, delicious sauces (which make a surprising difference) and reasonable prices.

Tenno offers up a fast-food layout; you stand in line and order at the register, then find a table. But the rest of your experience will be more like a sit-down restaurant, and the freshness and care of the sushi and grilled fish prep is every bit as caring as a pricier venue.

The menu is American-Japanese Fusion, and its inspiration is a Japanese restaurant started in 1984 in . Los Angeles’  Little Tokyo. Old Pasadena’s Tenno Sushi and Seafood Grill opened in Pasadena a year ago last May.

“On our menu, we have fresh salads and eighteen different appetizers. We also have nineteen different Fusion Japanese rolls that are 50 percent off, and our Chef special rolls are also 50 percent off, and we have 36 different kinds,” says owner Peter Kim. “We also have seven different fresh sashimi, and we offer sushi at a very lowest price. We also have premium draft beers.”

I always enjoy eating at Tenno because it simply tastes great, and the bill is reasonable, and I never pass up the chance to enjoy hot saki….

While I am working on grilled fish with Tenno’s well-known garlic sauce, my wife is downing sushi. Tenno’s Chef Julie is a master at sushi preparation.

“Our Black Tiger Roll shrimp tempura and crab, it also has avocado and spicy tuna on top. The price is $8.95 now – that’s fifty percent off!” Kim tells us. “The Lobster Roll has baked lobster atop a California roll and the fifty perecent off price for that is only $6.95.”

Tenno also does combination plates at a great price.  My favorite?  The Fish Taco Combo that comes with two grill fish, tacos, tortilla chips, salsa and the soft drink for $6.95.

For lunch or dinner, I recommend Tenno Sushi and Seafood Grill at 124 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena.  Call (626) 584-1120.