B2, the sleek Japanese restaurant on City Line Ave in Bala Cynwyd, is the ideal place for city dwellers to meet Main Liners. It also happens to offer the exciting Japanese cooking of
renowned chef Yong Kim, who launched the decorated Bluefin in East Norriton in 2000.
Kim is known for superior quality, innovative twists on Japanese classics and modern creations of his own using traditional ingredients.
B2 is located in the ground floor of an office plaza, with ample parking out front. The entry is unassuming, but the interior is huge and impressive. The waiting area houses a floor-to-ceiling sculpture, and the expansive dining room culminates in a busy sushi bar. There is a large, inviting bar off to the side, and a private dining room adjacent to the main dining room. The space was spare, bright and understatedly elegant.
The menu is expansive, with hot and cold small plates, tempura, handmade dumplings, sushi and sashimi, grilled meats, poultry and fish. Prices range from $3 for edamame all the way up to $120 for the Wagyu ribeye, so the menu meets virtually all budgets and preferences.
We headed straight for the lunch special, which was a great deal; my friend and I each had miso soup, a house salad and a signature roll and the total bill was $38.
The miso was hot, flavorful and laden with bits of tofu and scallion, and the salad was fresh and crisp, lightly tossed with ginger dressing. My boathouse roll — spicy tuna wrapped with rice and topped with sliced salmon, tempura crunch and roe — was delicious. My friend’s Philadelphia roll was Jewish deli meets Japan: smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese.
The service was attentive and courteous, and the kitchen was extremely accommodating. My companion has several food allergies, and the server took great care to ensure that the chef eliminated all onions, scallions, garlic and alliums from her meal.
Although we did not partake, B2 is known for its craft cocktails, having been named 2017 “Best of Philly” Suburban Cocktail destination.
If you go:
B2
401 E. City Ave
Bala Cynwyd
610-227-1507
b2bluefin.com/#home-top-page
Monday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 11:30 a.m. to midnight
Saturday 4:30 p.m. to midnight
Sunday 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.Lunch at B2, Sushi on City Line
