Aiko - Review - First Ward - Houston - The Infatuation

"Although you can order Aiko’s 14-course omakase anywhere in the restaurant, the sushi bar is the best place to experience it. It’s just more enjoyable to watch the chefs cut pieces of suzuki than to stare at the rogue rubber ducks on the dining room tables. This omakase feels casual as if the chefs are in your kitchen, but using their knives instead of your dull hand-me-downs. The first few warm-up courses are forgettable, but the nigiri—like smoked cuts of shima aji—pumps you up for the rest of the meal. You’ll be excited that you sat solo at the bar so you can wax poetic about wasabi-topped hamachi with the chef." - Gianni Greene