If it seems that sushi bars are popping up like mushrooms after a month of rain, know that they are. Western St. Tammany Parish has had a particularly large number of openings--too many, I'd say. I hope (and believe) that Kazoku will be one of the survivors. Chef-owner Wilson and his family run a sharp, delicious and entertaining operation.
In sushi bars that have established themselves well, there's a camaraderie around the sushi bar. The regulars know the chefs and vice-versa, and there's a lot of kidding around back there. Kazoku is a marvelous example of that. The entire Fung family is welcoming and happy. Their work both at the sushi bar and in the kitchen is first-class.
For years Wilson Fung was one of the chefs at the excellent Little Tokyo on the other side of town. There he built a following not only for his expertise at making sushi, but for his irrepressible joking around with customers. He opened his own place in mid-2010. The name translates into "family." This is appropriate. Wilson's son is the sous sushi chef, while his daughters run the dining room.
Kazoku is in a new strip mall at the junction of LA 59 and 1088. It's a long, bright, colorful room with high ceilings. The sushi bar doesn't seem quite big enough, but I've never had a problem finding a place there. The place is surrounded by convenience restaurants, one of which is a doughnut shop.
Have a conversation with Wilson or his son before ordering anything, and take their advice. As always, steer away from the rolls dominated by crab salad.
| Attitude | 2 |
|---|---|
| Environment | 1 |
| Hipness | 1 |
| Local Color | 0 |
| Service | 1 |
| Value | 1 |
| Wine | 0 |
