RESTAURANT REVIEW: Sugarfish

Sugarfish is the perfect name for this Japanese gem of a restaurant. The fish is so fresh and delicious that the diner does not need to douse it in sauce for taste. Sugarfish is located throughout the city. I went to the one on San Vicente. They have free 2 hour parking in the lot just outside of the small restaurant.

Once inside, it was crowded, and we had a 20 minute wait. But it was definitely worth it. Sugarfish is a niche restaurant that caters to the authentic Japanese cuisine experience. The chef prepares mostly raw sushi and sashimi (a couple rolls which include crab, are cooked). The restaurant purposefully excludes any rolls that are Americanized such as tempura rolls, philadelphia rolls, etc. Similar to Father's Office, you are not allowed to ask for additional or different types of sauce. The chef prepares the food the way it should be eaten, coupled with the "correct" sauce and garnishes. 

When I went I ordered an iced green tea (it was the real stuff, it wasn't from a tea bag), edamame, which were boiled and salted, a cucumber roll (silly, I know - but it was THE BEST cucumber roll I'd ever had - the rice was sticky and somewhat sweet, and the ingredients were extremely fresh), Tuna sushi (so fresh and delicious!), and Yellowtail sushi (perfectly cut slices and melted in my mouth). My friend ordered a special (where you are presented with each roll/course right after the other, based on chef recommendations), and I tried some of her blue fin tuna handroll, which was also very tasty. 

I've gone back a couple times since then to get the sushi to go (they have a special to go menu, namely items that won't get soggy - so no handrolls). I ordered the blue fin cut roll to go, and all the same things I'd had before. I have to admit the fish didn't taste as good "to go" versus in the restaurant. The cucumber roll, was amazing and weirdly filling. 

The design and ambiance of the restaurant is cool, a bit trendy, but mostly traditional. The way they present the food is clean, sleek, and modern, as well as the way they package their to go orders. If you order "to go" the sushi comes in a paper bento box, separating each item with the appropriate sauce, ginger, and wasabi. It also comes with a small index card describing how to best eat the sushi and the sauce it comes with. 

This restaurant gets an A+ from me. I will certainly go back and try different dishes. Another added bonus for me personally: on the menu it says to alert your waiter or waitress of any food allergies. This added awareness provides for a comfortable dining experience for food allergy sufferers. 

You can learn more about Sugarfish here: http://www.sugarfishsushi.com/