Category: Food Reviews

Mass Foodies is dedicated to consuming everything that the commonwealth has to offer. The food review portion of Mass Foodies is written by independent group of wandering consumers from different backgrounds. Foodies come together once a month at a predetermined restaurant, order off of the menu, and share their experience Learn more »

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Smoked Salmon Sashimi à la Baba

Smoked Salmon Sashimi ala Baba Sushi on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Smoked Salmon Sashimi ala Baba Sushi on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Baba Sushi is a fun place to go. The atmosphere is bright, cheerful, friendly, clean, open, inviting and casual yet elegant… what more can I say? Go and experience it for yourself—you won’t regret it.

It’s been at least two years since I’ve been to Baba Sushi on Park Ave. but Wilson, the owner, recognized me immediately and greeted me with a big smile— fantastic!

Not sure why I have been away for so long because I always enjoy the lively atmosphere and the delicious food.

Our server, Brad, was friendly, polite, and charismatic. He was there when needed and perfectly absent when not. The orders all came out correct—not one mistake. He gets an A-plus from me.

I ordered three types of sashimi—salmon, tuna, and smoked salmon. The portions were more than I expected—four large slices of each. The presentation was gorgeous and tempting… begging me to dive in.

Brad was prompt and efficient when bringing out our food. Before long I had a beautiful plate full of colorfully displayed tender morsels of tuna, salmon, and smoked salmon sitting in front of me.

The plate looked so appetizing I couldn’t resist the temptation to dig in.

My chopsticks seemed to have a mind of their own. I watched as they began mixing chunks of wasabi with the soy sauce. Then a succulent chunk of salmon was plucked from the plate, dipped, and in my mouth before I knew what was going on. I don’t remember talking to anyone—all I remember is pure deliciousness filling my mouth … and then it was over.

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Everything about Baba Sushi is top notch. So know this: I won’t let another two years slip by before going back for more!

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Cucumber Sashimi from Baba Sushi

Cucumber Sashimi from Baba Sushi on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Cucumber Sashimi from Baba Sushi on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

When thinking about Baba Sushi, I was a bit nervous about fitting in the tiny restaurant. I sat snugly in the main dining area during past visits to the popular establishment.

For this week’s Foodies gathering, we found ourselves on the back patio—an enclosed space that was both comfortable and beautiful. The dim lighting and relaxing music add a bit of romance to the room. This new seating location, which could easily accommodate 20 people, was definitely a wise expansion.

One thing to note is that there is only one restroom, which is not easily accessible from the patio. I would recommend adding another bathroom in the back so patrons can avoid passing through the main dining room’s tight quarters.

Prior to eating at Baba, I took a quick glance at their menu online. With an array of selections from starters to soups and salads, sushi plates and a number of entrees, several menu items struck my fancy.

I opted to split the King Maki and the Cucumber Sashimi along with a traditional Philly roll.

My better half’s selection—the delicious King Maki—was an obvious favorite in the bunch. The spicy Alaskan king crab and avocado were stuffed in a soy wrap tempura-style topped with eel sauce. The crunch of the tempura wrap perfectly accompanied the texture of the smooth avocado and crab.

I went for the Cucumber Sashimi because the unique ingredients and flavors stood out to me unlike any other on the menu. What really excited me was the sheer amount of seafood in this roll. Tuna, king crab, and salmon all made an appearance. The fish was wrapped with sliced cucumber and topped with mango salsa and black caviar.

The Cucumber Sashimi was distinct. The heaping portions of fish were tender. The cucumber was crunchy. The mango salsa provided a nice sweetness. However, I probably wouldn’t order it again.

I found the portion was too much for your standard one-bite sushi roll. When it comes to sushi, I am more traditional and would prefer the tempura or the rice and seaweed wrap. Both rolls were $16. Both provided enough food for a light dinner to share.

To enhance your experience, pair your dinner with one of Baba’s signature cocktails. The Ginger Flower was delicious and refreshing.

Also, if you have room for dessert, there are a handful of indulgences you may enjoy. The Key lime cheesecake was amazing! The tangy Key lime flavoring paired with the richness of the cheesecake and a coconut crust was SO GOOD!

Our waiter, Brad, was wonderful—personable and attentive. When I go out to dinner, it is important, to me, that the server knows the menu. Brad knew every roll and every ingredient without skipping a beat. The food was delivered in a timely manner, which was impressive given that everything is made fresh to order.

Baba is such an incredible place to go for dinner and drinks. I am glad it is in Worcester. With a number of awards including Best Chef and Best Sushi Restaurant, I would recommend making a reservation because this desired hot spot fills up fast. You won’t want to pass up this innovative sushi experience!