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We heard about this place through friends and bookmarked it as one of the spots to try. Securing a reservation was quite easy, depending on the time.
Upon arrival, we noticed the sushi bar dominating about one-third of the eatery. The ambiance is best described as elegantly minimalistic. The host greeted us warmly and led us to our seats at the sushi bar. As we browsed the menu, we chose the following:
Appetizer - Winter Special:
Miso braised leeks - 3.5/5 stars. The outer leaves were still intact, making it less than ideal as we consumed this appetizer. Thus, I deducted half a star for that. I did enjoy the char on the leek and the sauce.
The Signature Set, which includes 5 temaki rolls (U-shaped):
1. Tuna poke - 5/5 Stars. Simply divine. The crispy shallots gave it a textural contrast to the tuna temaki itself.
2. X.O. Scallop - 4/5 Stars. The scallop should have been the star; however, the X.O. sauce was used too generously. It overpowered the scallop, preventing us from fully appreciating its sweet, buttery, and briny notes.
3. Coconut Shrimp - 3/5 Stars. The shrimp was made into a paste and deep-fried. While this is a favorite among many, according to the itamae, the flaked coconut and breadcrumbs provided plenty of crunch, but the shrimp’s natural sweetness and juiciness were lost.
4. Salmon Serrano - 5/5 Stars. Fresh and perfectly balanced by the sharp and delicious heat of the serrano peppers.
5. Cucumber Black Sesame - 4/5 Stars. Bold in flavor, which surprised me since it was the final temaki in the set. I was expecting something lighter and sweeter, as most Japanese restaurants end their sushi with the final piece with sweetness. The sauce is plum-forward, and the black sesame masks the cucumber’s lightness.
The seafood is extremely fresh, but the itamae, at times, drowned the temaki with the sauce. Ideally, the sauce should enhance, and not overshadow, the seafood. The size is their temaki are generous compared to many other sushi restaurants.
The service was polite and attentive. The itamae explained each piece as it was served, and the servers ensured our cups were always full. While the sushi bar occupies about one-third of the space, there are also tables that comfortably seat groups of four or more. Despite the spacious layout, reservations can still be difficult to secure.
Street parking is available, though the ease of finding a spot varies depending on the time.