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East Passyunk Avenue wasn’t what it is today in 2008 when Corey Baver and wife Lynn Rinaldi opened Japanese restaurant, Izumi, 1601 E. Passyunk Ave., which readers have voted as having the best sushi. Baver worked for Stephen Starr at Morimoto, Buddakan and Pod, before landing at Paradiso, 1627 E. Passyunk Ave., as Rinaldi’s executive chef. Then one time at the end of the night at Paradiso, the pair talked about launching another venture.
“I had a lot of background, especially with Asian cuisine,” he said on how Izumi came to be. “Also, when the space became available seven years ago, [we thought] ‘why don’t we do Japanese sushi? There’s nothing like it around in South Philly.’”
Izumi, which offers sushi, sashimi and maki choices, including popular picks such as shrimp tempura maki, caterpillar roll and uni/sea urchin sushi and sashimi (The latter arrives alive from Santa Barbara, Calif. at the restaurant.)
“The compliment that we always get on our sushi and sashimi is the freshness,” the Berks County native, who now resides at 17th and Porter streets, said.
Baver believes the combination of having those fresh ingredients, which also include those found in the garden and from the honey bees on Paradiso’s roof, and being a BYOB restaurant makes it appeal to locals.
“I’m glad people in the community are appreciating what we’re doing here,” he said. “We have a lot of repeat South Philly residents [as customers]. They’re the reason we’re here.”
Johnny Chang’s rolled into second, and Terryin was wrapped up in third.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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