Recommendation: Yuki Sushi & Robata

I know I've mentioned Yuki Sushi and Robata in Lone Tree a couple times already, but seriously it is one of our favorite places to eat. Sushi is a relatively healthy food, barring you can avoid tempura, cream cheese, and the mayo including in some popular rolls. If you stick with nigiri and "lighter" rolls, you're looking at a decent meal.

We love Yuki for so many reasons:

1. We love Charlie (really, his name is Chung Su but he answers to a more American name). He's the owner and is always behind the sushi bar, ready to make your rolls. Here he is making our Carmen Miranda Roll. His smile and laugh are contagious!

2. He hired Gary (American name for Goro Son) who will make us traditional Japanese dishes, even if they aren't on the menu. Case in point--the picture below shows a special Spanish Mackerel that wasn't on the menu. But Brent saw another regular, Chad, eating it and asked for it as well. I tried a little bit of it, but mackerel in general has a strong fish flavor that I don't love. When he was done all that was left on the plate was a small piece of the head and the very tip of the tail.

3. The prices are great! You can get $1 pieces of nigiri and sashimi all day, every day. Other sushi place charge around $4.75-$5.50 for two pieces.

4. We have gotten to know the other wait staff and they're just as wonderful as Charlie and Gary.

5. The Carmen Miranda (yes, the lady who wore the fruit on her head) Roll. Yellowtail, avocado and mango wrapped in rice and pink seaweed, topped with creme fraiche, strawberry and blueberry. Sounds weird, but it is like dessert sushi. Charlie will only serve it when the berries and mango are in season--so June through September. The picture I took of it didn't come out well, but the one I took of Brent eating it, shows the pink seaweed and the berries. :)

NoNo's Yummy Cajun Food and Beignets

Brent and I love NoNo's in Littleton. We've eaten there several times and always enjoy the atmosphere of a relaxed southern home and the cajun/creole/southern food made with soul.

Heavy handed mint julep

We had a busy Saturday and decided it was a great evening to sit outside and enjoy mint juleps. We had some crawfish to start--done up just right with andouille sausage, red potatoes, and corn. The seasoning was just right and absolutely delicious!

Crawfish "appetizer"

Brent had one of his standard dishes...the Crawfish Monica (left). A crawfish creamy tomato sauce atop curly pasta. And I had the special...Cajun Pasta (right). It was a creamy sauce made with white wine and lots of meat--crawfish, catfish, andouille sausage and probably more--atop angel hair pasta.

Both were so indulgent and filling. We traded dishes about half way through but we still only finished about 1/4 of the portions.

For dessert we shared some beignets. I've had beignets at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. I've had the beignets at Lucile's in Denver. NoNo's won the "Closest to New Orleans" style. So good.

Crepes, Empanadas, and Cream Puffs--Oh My!

As mentioned in my "Sushi and Cream Puffs" post, I had a card for a free cream puff burning a hole in my pocket. After finding out that Rocky Treats had more than just cream puffs (things like sweet and savory crepes) I decided Brent and I should visit for brunch. The location was very plain and simple with just about six tables and one carafe of coffee available. But once the charming owner came out, we forgot all about the humble surroundings.

We chose two sweet crepes, an empanada and our free cream puff. The spicy beef empanada wasn't a traditional version--rather than being baked, the dough and filling where steamed to perfection. I could have eaten three of them, but instead I had one half after generously giving Brent the other half. My crepe choice, the blueberry and cream cheese, was the best. His banana and nutella was really good, but we both wished the banana had been cut into more manageable slices. And the green tea cream puff was made fresh in front of us. WOW! All that (the cream puff was free, mind you) was something ridiculous like $11.50.

We'll be back and we'll probably order one of each of the empanada flavors. And maybe one sweet crepe to share. I hope all my south suburban friends make the trip to Rocky Treats--its worth the trip!

The spicy beef empanada--this alone will bring me back for more!

Brent's banana nutella crepe

"Best in Show"--blueberry cream cheese crepe

The green tea cream puff. There are no words to describe a fresh cream puff!