Hidden jewel shines in East Rockaway

The Fin Asian Fusion
10 Davison Plaza
East Rockaway
(516) 823-1168/1169
www.TheFinAsianFusion.com

Somewhat off the beaten path, The Fin may well be one of best-kept secrets around. Every table was filled at this new and intimate restaurant on the evening we dined there, even though a hurricane was on its way! And, most patrons seemed to be “regulars” — proof of the pudding (or sushi) that management has been consistently pleasing the clientele.

Open since May, The Fin is run by KB Wong, and his manager, Daryl Thai. There are seven tables and a small sushi bar. But surprises are big, if not magnificent. Cuisines of Japan and Thailand dominate the menu. Photographs of creative dishes have been taken (by KB) and fill an album. Each is a visual masterpiece, and whatever you order will, indeed, be an edible replica of its image.

Asian style fried calamari joined Thai chili mango sauce for dipping. Duck salad was a mountain of greens, tomatoes, pineapples, scallions, shallots, cashew nuts, and crisp slivers of fried duck, drizzled with zesty citrus vinaigrette.

Sushi lovers will be wowed by Yellowtail Guacamole. Yellowtail tuna is wrapped around spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado and eel, sliced into six pieces. Each section is served on a separate Japanese porcelain soup spoon.

Crisp green curry soft shell crab arrived in a luscious sauce with green beans and eggplant, and rice on the side. Shrimp Pad Thai — stir fried rice noodles with bean sprouts, egg, ground peanuts, plump prawns and tamarind sauce — was as authentic as it gets. Alternatives to shrimp are tofu and vegetables, beef or chicken. Siamese crispy red snapper looked as amazing as it tasted — a whole fish, de-boned, sectioned and re-sculpted, finished with sweet pineapple sauce.