Bites Nearby: Taku

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea: Garden City Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Taku: With a fresh and innovative décor, this traditional Chinese, Southeast Asian and Japanese cuisine locale brings a chic style to the Garden City dining scene. Nestled on Seventh Street, Taku opened its doors on Jan. 18, 2012.

Owner Qiu Lin, a restaurant industry veteran, said he was excited to be in Garden City and that he likes the area, especially Seventh Street. The location, which was formerly Omoto, added a set of double doors in the front of the building. During the warmer months, Qiu Lin said that there will be about five tables outside for diners to use.

Qiu Lin said that, thus far, everybody has liked the food and ambiance at Taku. “We serve quality food,” he added.

The extensive menu boosts dozens of different selections. Guests can dig into sushi entrees – all served with miso soup or salad – which range in price from $12.95 to $37.95, special rolls, sashimi a la carte, tempura, and much, much more.

Chinese influences come into the menu with general tso’s chicken, crispy tangerine beef and sea scallop with coconut curry sauce. Taku also serves Southeast Asian eats. The combinations of dishes at this spot are endless – perfect for diners with wide a variety of taste.

Kitchen appetizers feature staples like edamame for $4.95, calamari for $6.95 and cold sesame noodles for 4.95, while sushi bar appetizers offer up tuna tartar for $7.95 and baked mussel for $5.50.

One of the most popular menu sections, according to Qiu Lin, is the Taku Specialties. This section includes grilled Chilean sea bass with black bean sauce for $19.95, sizzling filet mignon with fresh mushrooms for $17.95 and crispy boneless duck with honey walnuts. All of these specials are served with a choice of white or brown rice.

Lunch specials are available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Ranging in price from $6.95 to $7.95, the kitchen lunch specials also come with soup and rice. Sushi bar, roll combination and bento lunch specials are also available.

Taku: 100a 7th Street, Garden City. 516-877-9776/8. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. Prices: $12.95 to $37.95 for sushi entrees, $1.95 to $10.95 for appetizers.

Found a great place to dine? Let us know about it in the comments section below.