Matt U.
Yelp
It actually took much longer than expected to be able to draft the review for this place. After the news broke that Wahluke would be closing, we were seriously in mourning for about a week. Ironically, the day the news came out of the closing and then the subsequent re-opening of this restaurant, we had been discussing how nice it would be to have some better Asian cuisine in town. At the heart of all this, it's nice to know that there is a restaurant group that is excited about the prospects for the area and is committed to good food!
We initially came in for the soft opening and were able to sample some of the menu items. Since then, we've been back twice and have explored the menu a little further. We've definitely like what we've seen.
Of all the items we've tried, the ones that really stuck out as superb we're the Ahi Poke, the fried rice, the Szechuan ribs, the ribeye, and the pork belly buns. The Ahi Poké Is supremely fresh, paired delightfully with a citrus sauce and some awesome crispy rice - the dichotomy of textures is delightful! The fried rice is reminiscent of bibimbap with crispy rice at the bottom, an egg stirred in and tons of veggies - excellent! The pork belly buns were the best I've ever had - amazing flavor (it was very similar to Peking Duck!) and some cloud soft buns that cradled said pork belly like a newborn child! If you didn't catch it, those were the favorite item.
The ribs were perfectly done with Szechuan peppercorns that gave just enough spice without tons of heat. The ribeye was equally awesome - medium rare, sliced thin and served with wasabi and dumpling sauce. It was magic!
The Dan Dan noodles are solid with a really nice sauce and the EZ Tiger noodles were very good as well. The spot where they'll improve are the dumplings. The inside of the shrimp dumplings was just a bit soft and the noodle was just a bit chewy. We found this was the case for both the shrimp/pork and the veggie dumplings. Easy fixes and didn't detract from the overall experience.
Drinks are excellent and the same as during the Wahluke days! The rolls is my best half's favorite drink and I've taken a liking to the non-alcoholic options. The paper tiger and the tora unhinged are two of my favorite drinks currently! I've enjoyed the St. Anjou, the Laughing Crow and the Joel, but found the "kid" drinks as I've come to call them, exceptionally refreshing and really nice to sip on. It's great to have something other than a Shirley temple when I'm not in the mood for a libation! Also, if you're thinking - This dudes going soft! Worry not, we had some Sake and all three options were excellent.
The dining area is split into the chefs counter where everything is prepared and the dining are (formerly the lounge) is perfect for a relaxed dinner. The ambiance is left coast chill with nice background music and sliding walls that open into the courtyard. There are currently a few tables outside with more coming. It's a great spot to eat as the sun is going down!
The folks here have produced another fantastic restaurant that fills a huge culinary need in the area. We're really excited to see them continue to innovate and thus far have largely loved what we've seen - Go check the place out, it's worth your time!