by Rami Mallis
Daily Lobo
Hungry students desperate for a healthy alternative to burgers and burritos need look no further than Sushi & Sake.
The all-you-can-eat restaurant has been open for a little over a month and offers decent sushi within the lime green walls of a comfortable but unglamorous environment.
The dÇcor has a modern feel to it, and the minute but stylish sushi bar acts as the centerpiece to the eatery. The walls are adorned with colorful and cheap-looking Asian decorations and ornaments, which project a vibrant and quasi-authentic vibe.
There are two dining options available, all you can eat and individual selection, which is cheaper for a quick snack or light meal. The all-you-can-eat option includes a huge variety of maki, which is rolls, and nigiri, which is raw fish on a finger of rice, as well as miso soup, teriyaki chicken and other optional side plates.
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We were assured the chefs were the best in town.
For individual choices, the menu boasts a large range of reasonably priced sushi dishes that will satisfy the more adventurous diner.
The more Americanized versions of sushi such as the Philadelphia roll, which is salmon and Philadelphia cream cheese, are available.
Sake proves to be a popular but strong drink to complement sushi, but for the less brave, the usual Japanese beers as well as a couple of domestic brews are also on the menu.
Guests opting for all you can eat are given the freedom to order as much sushi, soup and side orders as they can physically manage but are advised by the servers that waste is an issue. To prevent excess, guests have a one-hour time limit and two chances to order, which is more than enough to take full advantage of the deal.
We ordered a huge selection of different types of rolls and nigiri. As a result of the all-you-can-eat concept, I anticipated the food wouldn't be fantastic. The sushi itself was a little disappointing and too fragile, almost sloppy in composition. The teriyaki was served cold.
Despite this, the fish seemed fresh and the array of different combinations easily made up for the slight downfall in quality.
Sushi & Sake is not for the connoisseur, but if you're looking for a simple and economical way to discover sushi, give it a chance. For a feast fit for a samurai warrior, go for the all-you-can-eat option, which costs around $15 at lunch and $20 in the evening. The menu also offers smaller and cheaper combination deals to make your decision easier and less hard on the pocket.
Our waiter was accommodating and useful but informed us that any food ordered under the all-you-can-eat principle could not be shared with friends who had chosen their dishes individually. Although this seemed a fair point, it was not enforced too strictly.
Nevertheless, the overall selling points of the restaurant are undoubtedly the variety and quantity of food you get for your money.
Sushi & Saki
Central Avenue and Bryn Mawr
behind Korean BBQ
Grade: B
