Evangeline C.
Yelp
I used to frequent Kyara when it was an izakaya and decided to give it try since the prices seemed reasonable. However, when I visited on April 20, I was surprised to find that the prices had increased, as this information wasn't updated on their website or Yelp.
Opting for the $100 course, as it was the only one offering sashimi, I found it amusing that the priciest option included a chirashi bowl instead of sashimi (I don't eat rice). Comparing the quality and price, I realized I could have gone to Sushi Hiroyoshi, which offers far superior quality for a similar price. Nonetheless, Kyara offers a more casual dining experience.
The meal began with a beet salad and asparagus, which were average and nothing extraordinary. Then came an oyster and poached egg dish with ikura, which was overly salty for my taste due to the shoyu + ikura sauce and ikura itself is already salty.
Thrid dish was chawanmushi and steamed pork belly. The chawanmushi with shrimp and ikura had a salty sauce, but the egg itself lacked flavor. Shrimp was pretty chewy but the steam pork belly skewer was the best in town.
But at this point, I was super duper full after eating so many egg dishes.
The sashimi course, accompanied by seaweed and rice (which I wasn't interested in), featured mediocre quality. While they offered fancy fish like otoro, itoyori, and sawara, the otoro tasted typical, and the sawara differed from what I've had elsewhere. Unfortunately, there wasn't much variety for fans of white fish or snappers.
Towards the end, we were served a fish bone soup, which I wished had been served earlier, followed by a delicious chocolate cake for dessert.
The service was alright, I didn't feel rushed, although the server seemed rushed, if that makes sense. I found it strange when she asked if we wanted her to explain the sashimi. I mean, I've been eating sushi for 30 years and even have some experience working in the industry, so I know what kinds of fish they are. But it's still her job to explain, regardless.
Overall, the meal left me feeling extremely full, particularly after the chawanmushi. I felt that the appetizers could have been lighter and better, as there was an overwhelming amount of egg. While the sashimi could have been improved, I understand that Kyara is more of a casual omakase spot.