M Lee
Google
First free day in Sao Paulo after 5 days of business. Google says that SP has the 2nd largest population of Japanese people in the world here, ~2 million, after Japan. Expectations were high as 1.2K folks gave this place a 4.5 average. This combined with the large Japanese population only drove our expectations higher.
When we arrived without reservations, we were told that there was no seating available for the rest of the evening. As we waited outside to search for another restaurant, a server came out and told us that they could squeeze us in. They separated a 2 top from a 6 top to accommodate us (yay!).
We ordered the grilled squid, but later were informed that they were sold out. We ordered the grilled sardines and fried oyster appetizers. The sardines weren't sardines, but they were flavorful and well grilled. The fried oysters were overcooked and dessicated, but fresh. Our entree was the large sushi sashimi platter. Everything was fresh and flavorful, but maybe due to our expectations, as previously stated, we were underwhelmed. The knife skills, presentation and plating were sadly lacking and below supermarket or airport quality sushi. The rice was hard and some grains were undercooked and all the rice was under vinegared. Again the seafood ingredients were almost as good as that in Tokyo, Osaka, NY or LA, but the plating, cutting skills and overall presentation was not representative of the art of sushi. Trying hard not to sound like a sushi snob, but the training required to be a Itamae, then Taisho is admirable. A major part of the allure of sushi is that half is art for the eyes, half for the pallet. Only the pallet side was represented on this evening.