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Rocket Science

By: Marsha Fottler

Clever kitcsh at Johnny Rockets, sea views and seafood at Snug Harbor, and more.

The menu at Aya can serve as an introduction to sushi for someone who isn't sure about diving right into raw fish. Many of the sushi rolls have cooked fish or shellfish at their layered centers. Grilled eel, fried soft-shell crab, boiled shrimp, broiled salmon skin, even breaded, deep-fried fish can be found in a roll called Katsu. Some of the cooked fishes are surrounded by a mayonnaise mixture similar to a tartar sauce. Others combine sesame, lettuce, avocado and cucumber. Sushi rolls range from $3 for just cucumber up to $7 for a California roll with eel. Two rolls are plenty adequate for one person.

Besides these sushi variations, Aya offers the traditional raw-fish rolls as well as thinly sliced ribbons of delicately hued raw fish (sashimi) like tuna and salmon. Additionally, the minuscule kitchen turns out salads, soups, noodle dishes, soups, syogayaki (meat or fish marinated in ginger sauce) and gorgeous combination platters that range in price from $12.50 up to $65 that will generously serve a party of four. The menu has an amazing range for such a small space. And the space itself is a delight.

Aya Japanese Restaurant

3300 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 949-3640. Credit cards. Mall lot parking. Call for times since they shift with the seasons.

Ask Marsha

Q. Atkins, smatkins, I'll eat protein but what I really crave are homemade breads and muffins. I'll do an extra 30 minutes on the treadmill for the right loaf. Got a good bakery in Fort Myers for me to try?

A. Jog over to the Gulf Shore Bread Store and just spend a few moments inhaling when you enter. Then browse the wire racks where the baker sets out a dozen or so bread selections every day, including scrumptious-sounding combinations like pumpkin nut, cracked pepper parmesan, spinach and feta, onion-dill, golden cheddar, crasin, molasses wheat and plenty more. The muffins are big and flavorful and share space with cookies and scones. Pick up a special monthly calendar that details which breads and sweet treats come out of the ovens on which days. Then, you'll always know the day you need to schedule extra time exercising ... and eating. Gulf Shore Bread Store, 13261 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 433-3363.

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