b'Rock-N-Rolls Sushi LoungeRock-N-Rolls Sushi Lounge tried it once and didnt like it, this place David Lee brought real (Asian) sushi todeserves a turn. Yes, of course the Gyros The Island a few years ago, in his first soloare fantasticbut order the Naan, which venture as a young, energetic entrepre- most of us think as flatbread, but this neur chef, even amid an aura of confu- is something different and specialsion left by a failed sushi joint down theyou will scorn those doughy, tasteless road that was run by a guy with almostOG breadsticks. The real tests are the the same name. The confusion quicklyTandoori, the Shish Kabobs, and the lifted as one of the Coastal Bends veryShawarma, in beef, chicken, and lamb, best establishments made its name towhich are all succulent and authentic. the delight of islanders and those willingHalal cooking. 15121 S. Padre Island Dr. to ascend the JFK Bridge for big-city foodat Rodd Field Rd.(361) 356-6715$$quality, not far from the edge of civiliza-tion. Chef Lee has taken his talent to Austin, where his second sushi lounge is thriving, and two new Corpus Christi favorites, Mudbugs on Airline and The Bar & Grill in Flour Bluff, have opened this year under his direction. 15121 S. Padre Island Dr. on North Padre Island (361) 949-11101850 S. Lakeline Blvd. in Cedar Creek(512) 649-2222Hawaii PokeRockAndRollsSushi.com$$$Hawaii PokeIn a world where a fried chicken (lets be honest) operation is the fastest growing food franchise in the U.S., it lends hope for our collective health to see the recent boom in small-scale, Asian eateries in Corpus Christi, as their success repre-sents a desperately needed movement toward healthier livinga blessing to Sufi Kabob the city once labeled Americas fattest. Poke (poh-kee) really means sushiSufi Kabob tuna, salmon, shrimp, and so forthin I like clean restaurants, and this one con- this case served in a layered bowl on a sistently scores 100 on its Health Depart- bed of rice or other starch, lettuce or sea-ment inspections. We all love good foodweed, avocado and other veggies and too, and to find both in the same placeeven pineapple and other fruit, topped can be something of a bonus in thewith delicious Asian sauces. Its delicious, Coastal Bend. Sufi Kabob is the real deal,filling and very healthy, as are the stir-fry, and what I mean, is that if you have beenRamen and other offerings at Hawaii so lucky to enjoy well-prepared MiddlePoke. 4002 S. Padre Island Dr. at Weber Eastern food in your lifeor even if youRd.(361) 444-5694$$116 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINEFall 2019 TheCoastalBend.com'