Torpedo Sushi, Sushi Burritos in Oakland

Torpedo Sushi
25 Grand Ave., Uptown Oakland
Phone: (510) 228-4111
Web: torpedosushi.com
Status: Opened yesterday

Torpedo Sushi, Oakland's first sustainable sushi spot, is open in Uptown as of yesterday. Like SF-based mini-chain Sushirrito, its menu is based around "torpedoes," giant handheld sushi rolls that use nori in place of a tortilla. Owner Luis Sanchez is a 15-year veteran of the Boston restaurant scene, former chef-owner of a sushi bar, and recent Bay Area transplant, and he plans to buy 80 percent of his fish from Water 2 Table, which sources from day boats off the Northern California coast. For the remaining fish, he's promised to follow the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch guide.

The torpedo rolls are fun and nontraditional, with options like the Cali Roll (Dungeness crab salad, avocado, lotus chips, cilantro, jalapeño, cucumber) and the Holy Trinity (fried oysters, prosciutto, shiitake mushrooms, pickled red cabbage, shallots, cucumber, Racer 5-anchovy aioli). Most items are under $10, and Sanchez also offers catering with a $50 minimum. A beer and wine license is forthcoming, with craft beer, wine, and sake on offer. Torpedo is currently open for lunch, with plans to expand to dinner as soon as the license comes through. Hours are Monday-Friday, 11 am-3 pm.

· Torpedo Sushi Opens on Grand Avenue [East Bay Dish]
· Oakland's first sustainable sushi restaurant opens [Oakland North]
· Torpedo Sushi [Facebook]