After a month of nights (and therefore very little time devoted to eating), we decided to rejoin society on a date night. We chose Sky, located on Cantrell in the Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center, on the recommendation of a friend (Tony). I'm always a little anxious when eating at a sushi restaurant for the first time, and this was no exception. We were seated outside which was lovely, and ordered a few rolls and a few nigiri. For those who are not sushi fanatics, I've listed some definitions below. It's safe to say that those who love sushi know these definitions and are likely the more adventurous types, and therefore don't need to know the difference between sashimi and nigiri, but here they are none-the-less.
Sushi Ladder-- for those who have never taken the dive into sushi, I present to you my sushi ladder. This is how I've helped introduce friends to sushi. While I think that some might just take the plunge, or enter at different places, pretty soon you'll be downing carpaccio, tartare, and oysters like you're starving to death.
1) California Roll (or other veggie rolls)-- gets you used to the rice.
2) Cooked Roll (fried, etc.)-- helps you add some protein.
3) Raw Roll-- get one with something raw buried inside. Realize it isn't going to kill you. Realize it actually tastes fresh and bit like the ocean.
4) Raw Roll #2-- get one with a slap o' fish on the outside. Realize it isn't going to kill you.
5) Nigiri-- Here you go. Nothing but you and the fish/rice. Dip that sushi in some soy (fish side down). If you can eat the whole piece at once, do. Savor the textures and the umami.
6) Sashimi-- At this point you don't need my advice. You are the fanatic. You see a slab of fish and your mouth waters.
- Sushi-- Sushi actually derives from "sour-tasting" and the modern take vastly differs from it's previous origins. You still get a little of the "sour" from the rice-vinegar applied to the rice. It's two most commonly eaten forms in the U.S. are rolls and nigiri.
- Nigiri-- Nigiri means "hand-formed." If you are new to sushi and are making your way up the sushi lover ladder (see below), this will likely be your hardest step. The rice and the fish are the stars here. There are some subtleties to the rice, yes, and a slight bit of wasabi hiding under the fish, yes, but the texture, the flavor, and the experience arises from the umami of the fish and rice. It's simple and beautiful.
- Sashimi-- Sashimi comes from the phrase "pierced-body." Apart from it's samurai origins, it probably refers to the way the fish is killed. The fresh fish is killed upon arrival to shore with a spike through the head and immediately placed on ice. This prevents lactic acid release and "spoiling" of the fish for several days. Sashimi in the sushi sense means "raw meat." And it is just that: meat and nothing else. If you are climbing the sushi ladder, this is the epitome. Nothing but the fish and a touch of soy. Experience something that dates back thousands of years. It is carnal but delicate. Sensuous and primitive. And it is AWESOME.
Sushi Ladder-- for those who have never taken the dive into sushi, I present to you my sushi ladder. This is how I've helped introduce friends to sushi. While I think that some might just take the plunge, or enter at different places, pretty soon you'll be downing carpaccio, tartare, and oysters like you're starving to death.
1) California Roll (or other veggie rolls)-- gets you used to the rice.
2) Cooked Roll (fried, etc.)-- helps you add some protein.
3) Raw Roll-- get one with something raw buried inside. Realize it isn't going to kill you. Realize it actually tastes fresh and bit like the ocean.
4) Raw Roll #2-- get one with a slap o' fish on the outside. Realize it isn't going to kill you.
5) Nigiri-- Here you go. Nothing but you and the fish/rice. Dip that sushi in some soy (fish side down). If you can eat the whole piece at once, do. Savor the textures and the umami.
6) Sashimi-- At this point you don't need my advice. You are the fanatic. You see a slab of fish and your mouth waters.
Menu: ★★★★☆
Apart from sushi has a wide variety of offerings. Several good appetizer choices fit right in the Pleasant Ridge experience. Roll selection is varied but delightfully limited (Not Honaroo's pages and pages), and offer some exciting deviations from the normal. Pricey (think Sushi cafe) but not prohibitive.
Food: ★★★★☆
I expected to be disappointed. Our rolls arrived first and I thought the Mexicali and Sky rolls were delightful. The Cherry Blossom had a ton of fish but was somehow bland. I had medium feelings. And then the nigiri arrive. Yellowtail, Red Tuna, and Salmon. The trinity. Would they hold up? The were outstanding. Huge, delicately sliced, melt in your mouth slabs of fish over perfectly cooked rice. The rice was not gummy, neither did it fall apart. Perfect. Amazing. Outstanding nigiri. Don't waste money on rolls here, get the nigiri.
Atmosphere: ★★★★☆
The interior is warm but has flat screens on the wall. The exterior is nice but they only had a couple heaters fired up on a cool evening. Overall pretty inviting.
Service: ★★★☆☆
The struggle. Our waitress tried hard, she really did. The evening began with a very confusing exchange between my wife and our waitress over whether or not they had diet Coke. But she did try so hard. A more comfortable staff and a more experienced staff will set customers at ease. Given a little time, I think that the service will likely improve.