Fujisan Maki, $10.50 Dragon Roll, $11.75 Shrimp & Sweet Potato Tempura Udon, $10.50 Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box, $8.50 18-piece Party Platter, $23.00 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Scout Notes: There’s a certain magic to the art of sushi-making; you select the right fish filet, combine it with bold flavors, fuse it with sticky rice, and roll it all together. When executed properly, all components come together to form the perfect bite – or eight bites, in some cases. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I spied the storefront of Sushi Express (perhaps I’d been burned by a certain Panda), but as a sashimi-savvy sushi enthusiast, I couldn’t wait to give their maki a whirl. As it turns out, the food is fast – but also fresh, and fabulous. You know how some restaurants look like postage stamps on the outside, but open out into huge caverns once you cross the doorway? Sushi Express is not one of them. The place has five tables, max, making it quite the cozy dining spot. From my perch in the back corner I could see all the action; I expressly (get it?) ordered the Boston [seared tuna] roll so I could watch one of the chefs man a blowtorch. And it was awesome. The manager Minechan tipped me off to the crowd-pleasing Fujisan [salmon and squid] roll, so naturally I had to try that, too. Toss in a can of peach-flavored aloe juice, and I was one happy Scout. Aside from the fantastic crunchy/sweet/salty flavor combinations, what surprised me the most about my visit were the prices. Other than the Party Platter (perennially popular with BU students), I couldn’t find a single menu item over $14.95! Brookline, you’ve done it again.