Sushi? (Austin, Anderson Mill, Anderson: floor, foods, station)

[IamInShape]

I like the sushi at HEB>

[atxcio]

I have to say, despite having many choices in Austin, there are only 2 good spots: Musashino on Uchi. And I prefer Musashino. As far as rolls and other stuff, their Texas Hybrid rolls and avacado Kama are great... but I usually stick to sashimi. I think those 2 restaurants are the only ones that get fish shipped daily.

As someone said earlier, there is nothing worse than less-than-perfect sushi. Especially if you tend to stick to sashimi -- if you are going to eat a large chunk of raw fish, it better be perfect. You can't really cover flaws when there is no cooking / seasoning involved. Only the temperature, freshness, and cut of the fish.

Life is too short for bad sushi. Just pay the money for the good stuff.

[jwb123]

I just had Beluga in Round Rock for the first time. Wow, it's overpriced for basically being supported by the Dell lunch crowd. It was "average" but seriously overpriced. Lunch was $50 for two and a child! The child's plate for lunch (which was basically a minuscule amount of teriyaki chicken and a couple of tempura pieces) was $10!! For lunch!! Drinks were near $4!!

If it was amazing sushi, I would deal with it - but NOT worth it.

[l8blumr]

Here's my take on the local sushi; none are as good as Katsu in San Marcos, CA

Sushi Sake is my personal favorite, but still a little overpriced
Oragami is mediocre at best and overpriced
Beluga has both awful food and service as well as being overpriced
Kenichi had a bad fish smell so we left without ordering

Happy Eating!

[ResidentialAustin]

Chalk up another vote for Uchi...and for Umi...and the best kept secret, which is Shogun.

[b. frank]

Not as good as Uschi, but still good.

What's with all the bashing?
Sure, Kenichi is overpriced and caters to the warehouse district crowd, but only a little bit more than other good Japanese places.
Seems that people think it's "too hip". Well, who cares?
You can still eat there looking however you want (as per the usual in Austin).
I'd venture to guess that if you think it's too hip, then you are self-conscious about your own hipness. I see all "types" eat at Kenichi. And I'd say the food is much better than mediocre.

I also would choose other places, but I wanted to stand up for Kenichi because I like it.

[Tom Williams 9]

the bar at Bistro 88 on Bee Cave Road

[TonyBinCO]

Another vote for Tomo on Parmer. Rumor is the guy who opened it was the chef at Nobu of Howard Stern/NYC fame.

[achtungpv]

Can anybody explain sushi to me? I just don't get it. I've had it probably 2 dozen times...Uchi, Musashino, Umi, Sushi Sake, etc...I'll eat anything put in front of me so I let my sushi-lovin' friends steer the way so I'm not sticking to California rolls. I just don't get it. It's fine. I still think any cooked fish dish is better. Cerviche is better. I've never thought, "man! he cuts so well! That 47.4 degree angle does wonders for the flavor! It is so much better with the avocado on the left side of fish instead of the right!" I keep feeling like if it wasn't trendy there'd only be about 10% of the sushi restaurants out there. Maybe it's just me.

[atxcio]

Raw fish, when absolutely fresh and just the right temperature, has a delicious mild flavor (depending on the fish). It's especially good with some wasabi and cold beer. That's what I like -- rolls are fine, but I mainly go for sashimi.

The biggest problem sashimi/sushi is that if it isn't the freshest and best, it's terrible, and will ruin it for you. Unlike cooked fish, you can't use sauces or cooking techniques to hide the flavor or texture.

However, having been to Uchi and Mushashino, you've been to the best. It just may not be your style. I don't like cajun food, for example.

If you ever did try it again, I'd tell you to go for sashimi -- get an order of hamachi (yellowtail) and an order of sake (salmon). Just have that with soy sauce, wasabi, and cold beer.