OKINAWA JAPANESE RESTAURANT: 39-32 Bell Boulevard,
Bayside, NY 11361, 224-5622,
FAX 224-7163

CUISINE: Japanese with sushi and sashimi bar

HOURS: Open 7 days a week, Mon.-Fri lunch from 12 noon until 3p.m., Dinner from 5p.m. until 11p.m. (midnight on Fri.), Sat. from 2p.m. until midnight and Sun. from 2p.m. until midnight.

CREDIT CARDS: All major cards.

Parking: curbside or nearby municipal parking lot.

Japanese food has gone beyond fad stage and is now an integral part of American dining. For authentic proof, Okinawa serves the classic dishes as well as the freshest and most attractive sushi.

We started with Miso soup and then ordered the extraordinary house special "The Love Boat"-an incredible array of freshly made Sushi mounted on a large facsimile of a Japanese sail boat. There were Kappa Maki (cucumber roll), Tako (octopus), Hamachi (yellowtail fish), Ebi (shrimp), Sake (salmon) and Unagi (eel). All in all, there were approximately 24 pieces of Sushi and Sashimi bedded with shaved ginger, hot/green wasabi, tendrils of white radish and a fan of sliced cucumber artistically presented and more than enough for two. We had our Sake iced to accompany the fish.

Also available at Okinawa are a number of other favorites: Tempura (breaded and deep fried vegetables, fish or chicken) Teriyaki (marinated and grilled fish, meat etc.) and Yakibori (grilled marinated/skewered meats and vegetables). Or try the famous Bento Boxes which give a sampling of some of the best of Japanese cuisine.

The Kimono-clad servers and affable owner, Andy, will be happy to offer suggestions and see to your requests.