Sushi now available in Chatham at Tikki Tornado. Photo courtesy of www.tikkitornado.com

By CKDP Staff

Raw fish. That’s what you think of when the word sushi crosses your line of vision. For those who have never experienced the succulent, mind-blowing, incredible experience of this bite-sized treat, sushi represents a frightening new world. But for those who are aficionados, sushi has, until recently, been a craving that could only be satisfied out of town. (I know what you are thinking – you can get sushi at the grocery store. My friends, let’s not even go there.)

Good news, sushi-lovers; you can now find your favourite raw treat right here in Chatham city center. “Where?” You may ask? Why, at 103 King Street West, of course.

Tikki Tornado is owned by local chef George Krumov, who has many years of international experience in Europe, Middle East, the cruise line industry and Canada. It is the first sushi restaurant in Chatham, but also the first to use a reverse osmosis water purification system for cooking, tea and coffee. That means that you do not have to worry about drinking pool-water, tainted water, or adding to the mass of plastic water bottles that have accumulated in the Pacific Ocean. Reverse osmosis water is purified directly from the tap, and believe me why I say, it is deliciously tasteless. Owner Krumov says Tikki Tornado “strives to provide more choices for health-conscious people and sushi enthusiasts in the Chatham-Kent area with great service and high quality ingredients.”

For those who already know the joy of sushi, the menu includes a variety of rolls (maki), salads, soups,nigiri and for those who are not ready to delight in the joy of raw fish – there are a variety of vegetarian rolls. My standby – the Chef’s Choice: 22 pieces of sushi selected by the chef. One of the great things about Tikki Tornado is that when ordering the Chef’s Choice, I am asked if I have any preferences. As someone who detests peppers, I am able to request an absence of these horrid creatures within my heavenly rolls or nigiri (a rice patty upon which a piece of fish is draped). My friends adore the Fireworks roll (one of Chef George’s creations), thus always request this be included in their Chef’s Choice. The Chef’s Choice costs 20.95$ before tax and is enough to keep me full for the afternoon or the evening (I have a large stomach for sushi).

Tikki Tornado staff are ever evolving to fit the needs of Chatham-Kent diners, and Chef George recently informed CKDP staff that Tikki Tornado is now licensed to serve Saki (a Japanese beverage with a flavour similar to strong wine). He also informed CKDP staff that he is working on a variety of combination meals, including ‘All You Can Eat Rolls’ (limited selection) on Wednesday evenings. Also in the works:  Learn how to cook sushi rice and some of your favorite sushi rolls. All the sushi you make during the class is yours. That’s right – Sushi School!

Enough said on my behalf – go visit Tikki Tornado today and let us know what you think. And if you are interested in reviewing a restaurant in Chatham-Kent, please drop us a line by commenting on this article.

Bon appetite!

Tikki Tornado can be reached at 519-352-1777, by email at info@tikkitornado.com, or on the web at http://tikkitornado.com/. Tikki Tornado is also on Facebook.