Springfield's best sushi rolls

Spiral Ecstasy roll from Izumi Hatake

With the angle of this shot and the way the grains of rice are tilted inward, this roll sort of looks like that giant monster from "Empire Strikes Back," whose mouth Han Solo mistakenly guides the Millennium Falcon into. You know the one, with the mynocks? Annnnnd I'm a dork. Anyway, all geeky, carnivorous, fictional monster associations aside, this was a particularly tasty addition to the list from Downtown's Izumi Hatake.

The Spiral Ecstasy comprised shrimp, crab and avocado inside of the roll, and then alternating layers of tuna, salmon and yellowtail draped over the top. What makes this roll stand out is that each piece, theoretically, tastes a little different. It was fresh and light, with the manageable size of the pieces being a welcome plus. There was a brightness to the flavors that was enhanced nicely by the soy and wasabi, and countered with pungent scallion.

The employee who recommended the roll said it was a personal favorite, as well as a popular menu choice. As my husband pointed out, the way they highlight the fish on top means that they're confident about their product. Good ingredients get a starring role. It was enhanced by a swim in soy sauce and a dab of wasabi.

Grade: B+
Price: $11.95