Out to Eat: Miso

Hot rock kobe beef accompanies a mangopolitan at Miso in West Chester Twp. (Credit: David Sorcher | Metromix)

It's a Sunday night and I can barely feel my hands as I drive along Tylersville Road - despite having the heat on full blast. My parents, tailing me, probably feel the same way. We've decided to bear the cold this evening to dine at Miso, a new Thai and sushi bistro nestled near Meijer in West Chester Township.

We know it's a good idea from the moment we walk in. The sound of light jazz, the smell of fresh sushi, the trickling of water from a fountain, no dinner rush - this is an ideal atmosphere.

MISO SUSHI

The seemingly Arctic winds have kept everyone away this evening, so we have the undivided attention of our kind-eyed server. When we ask for sushi roll recommendations, she calls on her fellow server, who suggests the special Miso ($12) and Crouching Tuna ($10) rolls.

Excellent choices. The Miso roll, the bistro's signature roll, consists of shrimp tempura, asparagus, tuna, salmon and avocado topped with crunchy crabmeat, tempura flakes, spicy aioli and sweet teriyaki sauce. To my dad and I, it's a total winner.

This is not to slight the Crouching Tuna, a fried, spicy tuna roll flavored with a "pinch" of jalapeño and sweet avocado sauce. While we enjoy it, my mom loves it, soaking several pieces in soy sauce.

MISO CURRY

Next come our orders of Miso soup ($1.99) and the Miso Bites ($5.99 per set). My mom shares her bowl with Dad; neither think it's anything too special. I, however, enjoyed my choice more, I think, because I ordered the Miso seafood soup ($3.99), which basically means the chef dropped mussels, shrimp, snapper and mushrooms in it.

The Miso Bites surprises us because it's advertised as "designed for two" - yet it includes a chicken satay, a spring roll, a chicken potsticker and, respectively, peanut sauce, Thai chili sauce and soy sauce. It seems like a great sampler for newbies who wish to save room for the wealth of exotic dishes here - but, order two sets.

Before dessert comes out, we find ourselves finishing off the yellow curry entrée with onions, carrots, potato with garlic, ginger, lemon grass spiced in coconut milk and served with fried rice. We aren't sweating, but we agree we should be after eating a Thai entrée with a spice level of 6.

MISO FULL

We've had a decent amount of food, but we have a craving for Miso's dessert. Ice cream is the specialty; the options are red bean, ginger and green tea. My parents share a combo, a scoop of each ($5.99), and favor the red bean, which reminds Mom of strawberry ice cream. I favor the green tea ($2.99 for single flavor) and finish my serving with ease, unfettered by the cold weather taunting us outside.

MENU SAMPLER

Appetizer: Miso Lettuce Wraps - minced chicken, beef and tofu mixed with carrots, cucumber, tomato, scallions and peanut dressing and served with crispy lettuce cups ($5.99)

Special roll: Spicy Tuna Sensation - Layer of salmon and avocado on top of chopped yellowfin tuna with spicy mayo and ponzu sauce ($12)

Stir-fry: Buddha Delight - Stir-fried broccoli, snow peas, cabbage, carrots and asparagus in yellow curry spiced and coconut milk (lunch $6.99 with chicken, pork, beef or vegetable, $7.99 with shrimp, $8.99 with seafood; dinner $9.99-$12.99)

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