Admittedly, the phrase “early bird special” is a bit of a turn off, especially if you are not currently running for Condo Board President of Del Boca Vista phase III. However, if you can overlook the designation, the $18 prix fixe menu at Soba-ya, served from 5:30- 7:00 PM, is pretty slammin’.

And what is the proverbial "worm" in this special?

First on the menu is a plate of appetizers that includes lotus root, Japanese sweet potato, cold pickled vegetables and green beans. Perhaps a bit perfunctory, the bites are nevertheless pleasant and certainly kick start your appetite.

The subsequent course consists of two pieces of inari sushi, assorted tempura, plain cold soba and dipping sauce with additional seasoning (hot soba is available as well). The large, sweet shrimp and tender broccoli tempura are stand outs, perfectly crispy and not greasy at all. The soba, with the simple but satisfying dipping sauce, is spot on.

This is just the right amount of food, and capped with a single scoop of vanilla ice cream with strawberries, a damn good dinner. Pair all this with a 22oz. Orion ($8.00), a snappy lager made in Okinawa that goes with pretty much anything, including whatever early birds may eat.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

-Total Cost: About $30 per person for dinner and a drink.

-The special is offered on Monday-Thursday.

NEARBY:

After dinner, walk around the corner to Jebon Sushi to check out Batsu!: improv comedy in the form of a live Japanese game show.