There are parts of this job—beyond eating at some wonderful restaurants and getting paid to write about them—that I truly enjoy. Every independent small business has a story to tell, and I enjoy those stories as much as the food.

Alex Pareja is a very young man in a very competitive business, and he’s swinging for the fences. His first restaurant, Mikasa Asian Fusion, is a family affair—skilled, veteran sushi chef Bernabe is Alex’s father, and his mom, Maria, makes the Chinese fare. Now you may have noticed that Pareja is not an Asian last name, which shows the family’s depth in the industry. With a menu of Japanese and Chinese offerings and a subtle nod to their heritage (Mikasa=mi casa, perhaps?), young Alex is off to a hot start.

I kicked my meal off with one of the fusion starters: ceviche presented on wonton chips. The well-executed appetizer was a compilation of flavors you’d expect to find on a beach resort in Cabo—fresh lime, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeños, and red snapper. I loved the citrus, mild seafood flavor, and crunch of the wonton chips (I also fry them up when I make ceviche at home—give it a try!).

Next up was a more traditional Chinese/American favorite: Mongolian beef. I’m not always someone who orders this dish at a Chinese restaurant, as it’s usually too sweet. This version, however, had just enough sweetness to complement the rich beef. I also appreciated the crunch of the onions and bell peppers—a welcome change from the sugar-bombgolian beef I often encounter.

Enough of the fusion side, I needed some sushi! I couldn’t help but notice a plate of rolls with a lobster shell making its way from the sushi bar out to a customer. A lobster roll looked and sounded like just what I needed. Beautifully presentated, the sushi wasn’t covered in too much sauce, allowing the delicate crustacean flavor to shine. There’s nothing worse to me than ordering an expensive piece of seafood and burying it in a thick, overpowering sauce. Nice job, chef (and thank you for the salmon and ahi snacks)!

Good luck to Alex and the Pareja family on this and future endeavors (yes, there may be more to come according to the young entrepreneur). I have no doubt you’ll be successful!

Hours: 4-9 p.m. (Sunday); closed Monday; 4-9 p.m. (Tuesday); noon-2:30 p.m., 4-9 p.m. (Wednesday-Saturday)

Try This: Jalapeño Bomb, Japanese Egg Rolls, Red Snapper Ceviche, Seared Tuna Salad, Mongolian Beef, Lobster Roll, Tiger Roll, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Churro Balls

Drinks: Beer & wine

Tab: $$

Heads-Up: Vegan options; curbside pickup; kids’ menu; sushi boats; generous portions; non-raw rolls available