enturies ago, Japan first discovered a method for preserving fish. Cleaned, raw fish were pressed between layers of salt and weighted with a stone. Some time later, rice was added to make the strong “acquired” taste of the preserved salted fish more subtle. Thank goodness for us American Sushi lovers, as this preserved fish was replaced with fresh out of the water seafood, with seasoned rice, and, of course, our beloved Wasabi.

Sushi has become so popular that several informative websites have sprung up in recent years, including the “Sushi Newsletter” www.digitalsushi.net with the most asked about Sushi questions and Sticky Rice”­the Who’s Who of Sushi Chefs. www.stickyrice.com

In fact, if we were to play Sushi Trivia my first questions would be­Did you know that the top Sushi chefs in Las Vegas make up to $120,000 per year? Did you know that you can use Miracle Whip (don’t tell my mother) to make Kewpie Mayonnaise? Well, you get the idea.

Sushi’s popularity has increased even to such unsuspecting markets as Southwest Florida due to its nutritional content. (In fact, on premises Sushi-making is now a mainstay in most Publix supermarkets.) Wasabi, the green horseradish, is rich in vitamin C. Nori, the seaweed used in Sushi, is extremely high in Vitamin A,B-complex, Niacin and Vitamin C. It also works as a digestive, along with pickled ginger, another favorite sushi accompaniment. Locally, Sarasota and Bradenton is blessed with some wonderful sushi restaurants, with more and more cropping up regularly.

To learn the art of sushi making or just to pick up some of the essentials, check out The Oriental Market in Gulf Gate. Ko Char has been a local favorite for Asian cooking classes and her sushi is some of the best in town. Why not have a sushi-making party for your next get together? Better yet, make it a point to enjoy any of of the Sushi Restaurants we have written about.

One of the originals in Sarasota is Chef/Owner Kiyoshi Noro at Kiyoshi’s Japanese Restaurant. Since 1979 he was with Kyoto on Main Street and in 1998 he moved a few doors down and opened Kiyoshi’s Japanese Restaurant. It has been a great success and is a mainstay for wonderful Japanese cuisine and of course, Sushi.

The Sushi Bar has 14 seats and presiding over it Kiyoshi himself, his son Shane or Chef Kei. Their style is very traditional American-style Sushi (more rice than raw fish), although they are always adding new and exciting items to the menu.

Fresh seafood items include Conch, Tuna (Blue Fin, Big Eye, Yellowfin and Blackened), Octopus, Squid, Blue Crab, Snapper, Mackerel and many more. These are priced by the piece at about $2 each.

The rolls include many selections from $3.60 to $9.75 for six pieces. A Kiyoshi specialty is a Vegetarian Sushi that is very popular. Japanese wine including chilled or hot sake and plum wine can be enjoyed with your next Sushi or Japanese meal at Kiyoshi’s Japanese Restaurant.

At Saga Sushi Chef Shin and Owner Max graduated from Culinary School in Japan to become qualified Sushi chefs. The most important item in the Sushi Bar is cleanliness. Since so much of the preparation is by hand, this is so important and the chefs at Saga take great pride in keeping their hands as clean as possible.

Chef Shin’s specialty is live seafood­Maine Lobster, Pacific Oyster and Tuna. Their fish is from Japan, Canada and many other parts of the world. When Stone Crab is in season, Chef Shin loves to prepare it.

In Japan, Chef Shin had to work two years in the restaurant and then take a culinary exam to qualify as a Sushi Chef. He is even licensed to prepare Blowfish (pufferfish) a poisonous fish, for Sushi. Very detailed and tricky work is this.

Chef Shin’s favorite Sushi to prepare is Tuna Carpaccio. He likes to have live fish to serve as they do in Japan. It is an educational process to introduce this to the American audience and he is hoping that it will become as popular as it is in Japan.

Do stop in at Saga tonight for a wonderful Sushi or Teppan Yaki meal and help them celebrate their 10th year in Sarasota.

Another quality Sushi restaurant is Utamaro Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar. Located on St. Armands Circle, Utamaro has been in operation for two years under the direction of Chef/Owner Bob Tsukiyama.

Mr. Tsukiyama has a wonderful tradition in his family for authentic Tokyo-style Sushi (more fish than rice in the preparation). His grandfather had a Sushi restaurant, The Emperor House in Tokyo from 1945. It was through his family that Mr. Tsukiyama learned the intricate art of preparing Sushi and brought his craft to Philadelphia for 12 years, at his restaurant called Tsukiyama, before settling on St. Armands Circle.

“The key is to use the best quality food when preparing Sushi,” he says. It certainly was apparent with the tuna we had at Utamaro.

Mr. Tsukiyama will also prepare Sushi Rolls as well, but do try the more traditional Sushi. You will be very pleased. They also feature Shabu Shabu a Japanese-style fondue at customer’s request.

The restaurant has a popular Sushi bar as well as tables for other fabulous Japanese cuisine. The name Utamaro is in honor of the famous Japanese artist of the same name, whose prints can be seen in the restaurant. Notable regulars include a few local celebrities when they are in town.

Early Bird specials are to be enjoyed at Utamaro from 5 to 6:30 along with dinners seven nights a week. It is a terrific restaurant to enjoy traditional Tokyo-style cuisine.

On Lockwood Ridge Road is where diners can enjoy Hana Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar. Pleasant and friendly Owner/Chef Hai along with Chef Cuong are your experts in Sushi enjoyment.

Get up close to the neat Sushi bar to see how the tradition of Sushi is performed. The intricate knifing, rolling and creativity is just amazing at Hana. As with the other Sushi bars, diners can see exactly what they are getting and how it is prepared. How enjoyable!

Their popularity has enabled Hana to expand the restaurant to include a new Teppan Yaki room where tableside delights are yours to enjoy.Their Tatami Room is great for cozy parties up to 10 as guests can lounge and dine among the comfy pillows.

Open seven days for lunch or dinner, Hana is one of the best in Sushi or Japanese dining and I recommend a visit there today.

Judi Gallagher&Neal Finelli

Got Sushi?

Kiyoshi Japanese Restaurant 1537 Main Street, Sarasota 365-6544http:\\www.kiyoshisushi.com www.kiyoshisushi.com

Saga 8383 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 924-2800

Utamaro 474 John Ringling Blvd. St. Armands Circle 388-0095

Hana Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 8404 Lockwood Ridge Roaad, Sarasota 358-7970

Hillview Grill 1920 Hillview Street, Sarasota 952-0045 www.hillviewgrill.com

Madfish Grill 4059 Cattleman Road, Sarasota, 377-3474