November 14, 2008- The place was hopping when we arrived at Musashi on a Friday night for our first visit. We got the last two seats at the sushi bar. All the tables were taken. A lot of locals go to this place as the hostess knew most of the people. I saw a Japanese man eating sukiyaki. Famlies out for Friday dinner, couples out on a date and friends getting together having a good time blanketed the place with a relaxed atmosphere. A lot of positive signs for this first timer walking in. I was here for the sushi and I was very happy with what I got. The salmon skin hand roll was excellent. A lot of salmon skin fresh off the broiler. The crunchy roll was very popular as I saw it leave the sushi bar and brought to tables several times. We ordered one and definitely loved it. This roll would be a meal in itself. If you like shrimp tempura, I suggest trying the crunchy roll. I also ordered a tempura roll with avocado and eel on top. They definitely did not skimp on the eel which was good quality eel. (Writing this is making me hungry! ) We plan to go back soon and try the other menu items as well as the sushi again. Good service, quality ingredients and a feel at home environment made me one happy and stuffed customer. Open for lunch and dinner daily, closed on Sundays. It is on the east side of Pavillions and not easily visible from Hwy 111.\r
On a side note - We decided to try Musashi because Chef Pierre Pelech from Chez Pierre Bistro (also in Palm Desert) listed Musashi as one of his restaurant preferences during an interview with the Desert Sun in 2006. Well, Chef Pierre worked in the Carribean and Polynesia and would assume knows his seafood very well. On this recommendation, we tried Musashi and were very pleased. We'll also try Chez Pierre and let you know how that went.
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