Sushi by Scratch Restaurants
Sushi restaurant · Congress Ave District ·
New-wave omakase with inventive nigiri and engaging performance
New-wave omakase with inventive nigiri and engaging performance
"Just when we thought Austin’s omakase scene had reached critical mass, Sushi by Scratch has opened a second location, this time in Downtown Austin (the original is close to Bastrop). Much like at their original location, dinner consists of about 17 or 18 pieces of “new-wave nigiri,” but here there’s a round of canapés and a welcome cocktail to kick things off." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs
"Sushi by Scratch is tucked away on the eighth floor of the Adolphus hotel, where they’ve fashioned a sushi bar from a hotel suite. The omakase spot serves unexpected courses like flounder topped with bright-green salsa, leading into heavier dishes and a few touches of showmanship—chefs torch bone marrow, letting it slowly drip onto waiting unagi for the evening’s most decadent bite." - kevin gray
"A national group co-led by Phillip Frankland Lee that helped fuel the ten-seat speakeasy omakase trend, now operating about a dozen locations across the country. The brand trains staff more on personality and stagecraft than on traditional kitchen hierarchy—treating service like a three-shows-a-night band performance—so teams actively engage guests, feed off diner energy, and use scripted conversation-starters to build camaraderie by the end of dinner." - Erin Russell
"How Far In Advance Should You Book? The 7:15pm omakase is still a tough ticket, so plan at least two weeks out for that. But the 5pm and 9:30pm slots are frequently available last-minute. This South Lake Union omakase counter closed down for months due to a licensing issue, which they say is now resolved. After a quiet re-opening, bookings are way more obtainable than when the restaurant first opened (when there were months-long waitlists). Though, with only three seatings per night, it helps to keep an eye on the calendar." - gabe guarente
"An omakase concept that is part of the couple’s family of restaurants (they operate multiple spots in Austin, including two locations of this omakase), presented as a tightly curated, chef-driven experience that fits into their larger portfolio; the couple notes that operating many restaurants together has been challenging but that their complementary roles — his savory work and her pastry — make the culinary programs feel aligned and help sustain excitement in both work and family life." - Lane Gillespie