Joanna W.
Yelp
We asked a local where to find the best sushi in town, and without hesitation, they recommended Oao--pronounced "wow." Naturally, we had to check it out!
When we arrived, a sign on the door read, "Please wait outside to be seated." Fortunately, the wait was brief. Within a couple of minutes, we were welcomed by our server, Eldon, who let us know we could choose any open seat. We opted for the counter, right in front of the chef preparing a variety of rolls and sashimi. It was fascinating to watch the process up close--the variety of fish and the precision in each preparation made it an experience in itself.
The ambiance at Oao strikes a perfect balance: sophisticated yet relaxed, and instantly inviting.
My husband ordered the Firecracker Roll--lobster tempura with crab, avocado, topped with kimchi ahi poke, cucumber, jalapeño, onions, and unagi sauce--alongside a plate of Tempura Vegetables (including carrots, Okinawa sweet potato, and asparagus). He paired it with the Dream Cloud unfiltered Nigori sake. I went with the Spicy Tuna Roll (with avocado, cucumber, and green onion), a warm cup of miso soup, and a Mai Tai. The rolls were incredibly fresh, with flavors that were vibrant and well-balanced--each ingredient complemented the others beautifully.
Curious about the sashimi, we asked Chef Tak for his recommendations. He suggested the Big Eye, Striped Jack, and Bluefin Tuna sashimi. All three were outstanding, but the Bluefin, with its higher fat content, was especially rich and flavorful.
Eldon, Chef Tak, and another chef (whose name we unfortunately didn't catch) were all wonderfully personable. We genuinely enjoyed chatting with them and discovering some shared interests. It added a warm, personal touch to an already memorable dining experience.