Jacqueline C.
Yelp
The skinny: Fresh fish, but overall price and vibes don't measure up to other similar better places in Denver. Yummy but there are better spots for the price (Go to Uchi, Sushi Ronin, or Sushi/Izakaya Den instead)
Overview:
We came here with reservations for a bday celebration on a Saturday night. Had heard some good things so were excited to try it out. The overall experience left me a bit disappointed and I honestly was contemplating a 3 vs 4 score. Overall, there are just better overall experiences at other sushi spots. For food we had a variety of nigiri which were great. The other sushi rolls & apps left a little to be desired.
Standouts: Uni, Hotate, Hamachi, fatty tuna. Fresh, flavorful, melt in your mouth.
Left something to be desired: Wagyu sushi roll, Jalapeño yellowtail sashimi. Wagyu roll, while you could tell the meat was good, it didn't quite balance for me. Maybe the nigiri where there was more meat to rice ratio would be better. The rice was a bit too packed and almost smooshed (vs fluffy with the ability to feel out the different grains of rice). Jalepeno yellowtail was decent but in terms of flavor combos - I've had much better at places like Uchi, Sushi Ronin.
Ambiance:
While the spot looks really cute, the service and vibes left a bit to be desired. The host was super friendly, but the staff otherwise felt a lot more transactional than friendly. Normally this isn't an issue for me but for a pricey spot I expect a certain level of service. For example, most high end sushi spots focus on detailing the menu, telling you what is freshest, and provide recommendations. The overall experience of going through the menu is a part of a higher end sushi place - Sushi Sasa lacked this. They also came by after we finished our food and asked if we wanted to order more, we had said no to food expecting to see a dessert menu. Instead they cleaned the table and brought over the check. Finally, I would have expected at least something small done for a bday celebration but that did not happen either. Again, normally not a big deal, but for the price, I would have expected more.
Would I come back: With so many great sushi spots at a similar price point, I probably wouldn't come back. The overall food quality didn't make up for what was lacking in ambiance and service. I'd hit up Uchi, Sushi Ronin, or Sushi/Izakaya Den!