In Wilton: Reiki rolls out sushi bar and Asian cuisine

Written by Joan Lownds
Friday, 24 August 2012 10:24

Reiki restaurant at 239 Danbury Road, Wilton, is a mecca for sushi lovers - but not limited to fans of raw fish. "We have an assortment of foods ranging from Thai to Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian," said Regina Cheow, one of the partners in the new bistro, with her husband, Kevin Cheow, and chef John Phang. "There's something for everyone."

She described the cuisine as "Pan Asian," and "modern fusion." The restaurant, decorated with a red and bamboo contemporary motif, has a bar where fresh sushi is "made from scratch" and prepared to customers' specifications, according to Ms. Cheow. Sushi items range from small plates such as salmon mango to blackened tuna taco to main plates such as spicy maki with tuna, salmon and yellowtail. A variety of "summer sushi platters" are available now.

Sushi and sashimi are also offered a la carte, including fluke, shrimp, octopus, striped bass, Spanish mackerel and eel.

"Our chef, John Phang, uses only the freshest ingredients," Ms. Cheow said.

The restaurant is across from town hall and is the former location of Seki Asian Bistro and Ten China Bistro.

Mr. Phang was also the owner of these restaurants, but the management team of Regina and Kevin Cheow is new, as are many of the menu items.

The list of "special rolls" on the menu is also varied, and some are named after customers.

One item, "Dancing with the Star," was so named because it is the favorite of a customer who loves the television show with the same sobriquet. The roll includes spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail and avocado.

The poetically tagged "Autumn in New York" roll is composed of tuna, mango, kani and tempura flakes.

A variety of regular and vegetarian rolls are also available.

For other types of offerings, Ms. Cheow said her favorites are "Thai curry, and Roti Canai, a Malaysian pancake with curry dipping sauce," among others.

The restaurant's "Japanese kitchen" items include a range of teriyaki and tempura items, including shrimp and scallop teriyaki and chicken and vegetable tempura. The wok selection offers such standards as sesame chicken or General Tso's chicken - along with "Fire Wok," made with coconut curry, calamari, sea scallops and prawns.

Prices for menu items ranges from $3.95 to $18.95.

For dessert, Ms. Cheow said, "We have coconut ice cream, lemon sorbet and flaming ice cream," among other items.

Happy hour takes place from 4 to 7 p.m., with reduced prices on drinks - such as "forbidden margaritas" with coconut and tequila.

So far, business has been "picking up," said Ms. Cheow.

"I am hoping it will continue to get better in the summer." Reiki offers catering and private parties. Free delivery is available within a five-mile radius for a minimum order of $25.

Information:203-762-7888.

Joan Lownds photos Regina Cheow is one of the partners in the Reiki Sushi and Asia bistro across from town hall. Below, Chef Scott Chen works at the sushi bar, where everything is prepared according to customers' specifications.

Copyright, 2012, The Wilton Bulletin