Captain Y.
Yelp
It's rare that I'm so moved by a restaurant that I review it the same day. My party of two ate at Sura Sunday evening, 4/13, and it was stellar.
We were heartbroken when our favorite Korean eatery, Koryo Kalbi, closed and then returned with a very different theme and menu. I'm sure their current offerings are just fine, but all the dishes we loved from their huge, fascinating menu are gone.
So, we set out to find a new favorite. I've never eaten a bad Korean meal, so this proved to be quite a fine adventure, as Royal Koreatown is packed with good food and service that tends to be acceptable or better.
For years occasionally shopping at Komart, I eyed Sura, but we never made it there until today. Canvassing the area online for a new place to try, I checked them out after dismissing many other choices and was stricken by their AYCE menu.
What a tantalizing concept with all those choices. How did I overlook Sura for so long? I mean, we've eaten at the neighboring fried chicken place several times. Silly me.
We were immediately greeted graciously by a kind gentleman I assume is the proprietor. Upstairs we went to an AYCE rampage. Everything, right down to the condiments, was stellar. The sesame oil was a nice touch. Banchan was quite good.
Our server Kevin was distinctly friendly and effective. I don't think any empty plate sat on our table for more than 3 minutes. He watches over that dining room like an eagle.
For what we enjoyed, the bill was almost embarrassingly scant. I've paid twice as much for half the pleasure many times.
On the way out, I had a quick chat with the proprietors and they simply radiate humble good will, appreciation, and grace. These are the exact types of fundamentally fine people I enjoy giving money to.
I've been chasing great food around the world for many years. As shabbily-dressed rock and roll white people, the quality of service we've received in our adventures has...well, let's just say "varied." Here, we were treated like family.
Among all that great food we've enjoyed over the years, I can't think of a meal I've enjoyed more than our Sura experience. It now stands tall on a list of the best 15 or so places ever we've beheld.
Thank you, Sura. See y'all next time. It shan't be long from now, methinks.