Whether you’re a timid eater who won’t venture outside the comfort zone of a teriyaki bowl, or the adventurous type who wants to try everything under the sun including eel, octopus and fish roe, there’s likely something for you at Tora Sushi Lounge in Seaside.

I fell in love with sashimi (very fresh, raw fish usually prepared in an aesthetically pleasing way) and sushi (dishes containing vinegared rice and any manner of accompaniments including raw fish, cooked fish, vegetables, tofu, etc.) the first time I tried it so many years ago.

So many wonderful combinations exist within the realm of these Japanese staples, but inventive sushi chefs have found many ways to incorporate contemporary and local influences and ingredients as well.

Those unacquainted with (or fearful of) traditional raw fish sushi rolls might start off with a Philadelphia Roll ($7.25), which contains smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado. The Asparagus Roll ($4.95) is fresh, crunchy and completely vegetarian, not to mention a great showcase for what is probably my favorite vegetable. And the vegetarian options don’t end there. Tora offers six vegetarian rolls, several appetizers and five salads.

I tried most of the rolls offered at Tora Sushi, some of which were old favorites, some of which I’d not seen before. I stayed away from the California Rolls and anything else containing imitation crab (a.k.a. Krab) for two reasons: 1) Dungeness crab is a major part of Oregon’s economy, and was recently crowned as our state crustacean. It is readily available and with the amount used in a sushi roll, still quite affordable. 2) I had a summer job after high school at a local surimi factory, and saw how it was produced.

The rose roll at Tora Sushi Lounge includes tempura shrimp, imitation crab meat and avocado, topped with spicy shrimp. Photo by Alex Pajunas.Despite my personal tastes and reasons, the California Roll remains most American sushi restaurants’ most popular item, and I heard it being ordered by numerous tables during my visits to Tora. As for some of the many exciting items I tried:

? Fugi Roll ($12), a large spicy tuna roll topped with yellowfin and avocado.

? Salmon Skin Roll ($5.25), salty, crisp-fried salmon skin, cucumber, gobo roots and spiced sprouts.

? Octopus Sashimi ($8.95), cooked, chilled octopus slices with thinly sliced lemon wheels.

? Scallop Roll ($5.25), cooked scallop, smelt eggs and avocado.

? Eel Roll ($6.50), cooked freshwater eel meat, avocado and cucumber.

? Oshinko Maki Roll ($3), Japanese pickled radish.

? Sushi Sashimi Platter ($15.95), containing albacore, ahi and salmon sashimi, prawn, tuna and yellowtail sushi, and a spicy tuna roll. Great value.

? Tora Boat ($29.95), an attention-grabbing presentation that serves two. Wonderful miso soup and a crisp salad dressed with sesame-ginger vinaigrette precede this wooden boat filled with teriyaki chicken, teriyaki beef, tempura vegetables and prawns, beautifully deconstructed pineapple and Karaage (marinated, fried chicken chunks), with steamed rice on the side.

Although Tora Sushi doesn’t serve fresh wasabi root (and in fairness, few affordable sushi bars do), I do appreciate the un-dyed pickled ginger, as the neon pink variety that many places carry is just so artificial looking.

Although two people can easily spend $25 to $30 apiece trying various sashimi and sushi, Tora can also be quite affordable, with combo platters, inexpensive udon noodle dishes and great lunch specials. A Teriyaki chicken bowl with a bowl of miso to start is only $6.25 at lunch time, which for the winter is 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Dinner runs from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.

– The Mouth

Angelina’s Pizza – Great hand-tossed New York style pizzas and calzones and great service. 300 S. Roosevelt Drive, No. 8, (503) 717-1230

Dundee’s Bar and Grill – A sports bar with above-average food, lots of fun and games, and now delicious doughnuts and baked goods. 414 Broadway, (503) 738-7006

Fultano’s Pizza – All the pizzas are good, but I especially recommend the Taco and the Combination. 215 Broadway, (503) 738-5612

Golden Horse Chinese Restaurant – Great Americanized Chinese food. I love their pot stickers, barbecued pork and fried rice. Located in the Seaside Carousel Mall at 300 Broadway, (503) 738-9666

Maggie’s on the Prom – Wonderful worldly food with an ocean view. Recommended are the curried oysters, the potted Montechevre, the wild mushroom penne and the pan-seared sea scallops. Located in the Seaside Oceanfront Inn, 581 S. Prom, (503) 738-6403

Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant – Fantastic Tex-Mex style cuisine with big portions and affordable prices. Some of the best margaritas around. 1445 S. Roosevelt Drive, (503) 738-9678

Wine Haus and Pub – In addition to the many, many wines offered here, there are more than 300 beers as well. Located in the Seaside Outlet Mall at 1111 N. Roosevelt Drive, Suite 200, (503) 738-0201

Zinger’s Ice Cream – A 100 percent green operation (right down to the spoons and take-out containers), it’s also the best ice cream in the area. Recommended are the Blue Moon, the Oregon Black Cherry and Coffee Bean. Reopens for the season in February. 210 Broadway, (503) 738-3939