Mosun, Club M ... food, fun in one

Dining Out

The word spectacular is the only way to describe the grand opening

of Mosun two years ago at the brink of the new millennium. The

magnificent Japanese-theme restaurant/nightclub, in fact, celebrates

its debut on Coast Highway this weekend.

The inspired concept of enterprising restaurateur Moe Gazi, in

collaboration with general manager Hansen Kamci, Mosun is a

fascinating two-story showcase of fine dining and entertainment with

the added attraction of friendly camaraderie.

For starters, authentic Japanese chefs exclusively are on tap to

wield their magical skills at the sprawling sushi bar over which the

deft Akira Sun presides grandly. Opposite this reposes an equally

bustling cocktail bar replete with retractable windows to allow a

fresh air view of passing traffic while imbibing.

To enjoy the enticing menu of Zen Sai (appetizers) and Shu Sai

(entrees), step across a small footbridge leading into the main

dining room. This is adorned with attractive soji screen windows, a

massive stone fireplace and a spacious parquet floor that attracts

the dance contingent when tables are rearranged once the music

commences. Mosun was recently described via Zagat ratings as

featuring “one of the best sushi/Pacific Rim cuisine restaurant and

night clubs in L.A. and Orange County.”

The menu goes beyond sushi and cut roll offerings, two-dozen

appetizers run an adventuresome gamut from luscious crab cakes

drizzled with wasabi cream and succulently plump wok-seared scallops,

to filet mignon wontons and lobster spring rolls. Appetizingly

presented on an ebony tray, these are tabbed from $2 to $14, the

latter for oysters on the half shell seasoned with sake-lime and

ginger.

Renowned chef Chris Felippa, imported from L.A.’s prestigious

Citrus, reigns supreme in the immaculate kitchen from which come a

quartet of bento boxes bearing garlic teriyaki shrimp, sweet

soy-glazed salmon and beef or chicken teriyaki.

Save for cilantro-seasoned Australian lobster presented with

asparagus spears and salmon mashed potatoes at market price, entrees

are tabbed at $9 to $24.

Among the imaginative repertoire are tiger shrimp with ramen

noodles and jullienned vegetables and miso-yaki Chilean sea bass with

vegetable tempura roll. The New York steak, one of Black Angus

certified beef selections, is served with wasabi potato puree and

garlic spinach.

Above all this bounty, Mosun has gained a faithful following

locally for the myriad specials prevailing every day. Begin the week

with “After the beach party Sundays” when Common Mind performs from 7

p.m., Coors lights are $2, cut rolls $3. “Never ending Monday” means

all-you-can-eat sushi until the kitchen closes for a bargain $19.95.

There’s Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday translating to a 2-hour

all-you-can-eat sushi feast for $9.95, 5 to 7 p.m. And for Laguna

Beach residents (bring ID), Wednesdays garner a super 50% discount on

all sushi and Pacific Rim cuisine, 5 p.m. until closing.

The highly sophisticated Club M upstairs comes alive Fridays and

Saturdays with the hottest DJs. Resident DJ is Alley Cat and tonight

Club M is featuring DJ Hardware. Doors open at 9 p.m. with a $10

all-night cover.

* GLORI FICKLING is a Laguna Beach resident who has been writing

restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be contacted at

494-4710 or [email protected].