I had to get the bad Rusan's out of my brain.

Update (03/05/2008):
Just wanted to update that I had RuSan's again recently -- not sure exactly when -- and they were back up to their normal standards. Phew! I was nervous that I had lost my local, cheap sushi!!
***

I ordered sushi for a second time this weekend. I know, I know, it's obsessive, but I just couldn't shake the disaster that was Rusan's last night. I forgot to mention in my Rusan's post that they did a terrible job cleaning the fish: some of the skin was showing on more than one type of fish, and I actually had a fish scale on one piece of sashimi. Ick.

So, this time, I ordered from Zuma. It's a bit pricey, but I was desperate. Sushi is one of my favorite things to eat, and I had to get my previous night's experience off the brain.

Zuma did not disappoint. The food was ready when I showed up, and when I got home, I was surprised to see so much! I ordered two different types of sashimi, and on the menu, they said that it would be 3 pieces each. Not only were they large pieces, there were 5 pieces of each! Whoa! Note to self: they hook you up here!

I also had the spicy tuna roll. They put a small amount of a creamy sauce on top, but it was totally unobtrusive. Could take it or leave it.

The meal was delicious. All the fish tasted fresh, seemed clean, and looked good enough to eat.

So I did.

Rusans, that was just sloppy.

Update (03/05/2008):
Just wanted to update that I had RuSan's again recently -- not sure exactly when -- and they were back up to their normal standards. Phew! I was nervous that I had lost my local, cheap sushi!!
***

I am finally back in Atlanta, where 37 degrees now feels balmy. I decided to pick up some sushi for dinner because I have no food in the house. Rusan's, of course.

I typically just order one of their sushi samplers, which has nigiri and a random roll. This time, I decided to order a la carte: four different types of sashimi and a spicy tuna roll.

Oh, Rusan's! Bad job this time! Ordinarily, my ratings of Rusan's are high! I mean, it's not top-notch sushi, but it's decent enough, especially since it is so cheap. First, the fish this time just didn't seem as good as usual. Second, and this more of a note for myself for next time, they put a bunch of spicy brown sauce over the spicy tuna rolls. I could do without that. Finally! They forgot to pack any wasabi! Boooooo.

The wait was also a bit long. I ordered from the Midtown location, across from Ansley, and they said it'd be ready in 15-20 minutes. I arrived 20 minutes later, and had to wait another ten. I know it's not a huge deal, but it's out of the ordinary! Just because you are busy does not mean I should have to wait for medicre sushi with no wasabi!

Another note to self: you don't like red snapper. Don't order again.

I am not writing this place off. I'm confident that this incident was isolated. But I feel it's worth noting. Maybe Friday night is not the night to go to Rusans...