One of California's most talked-about restaurants is located on Sunset Boulevard: Sugarfish. This sushi place, run by a family, is committed to quality and excellence. The place has a touch of style where fresh, simple, flavorful and innovative Japanese bites are served. I came from the airport straight to try it.
Sugarfish by chef Tom Nazawa and chef Kazunori Nasawa - father and son - proposes a simple menu based on fresh fish and a rich Japanese know how. The menu is simple yet informative. Printed on a newspaper information includes of course the food, history about the place, information on sushi, food safety and other health related details.
Sugarfish is a typical Japanese house with wood covering the ceiling where lanterns are installed. A wall of bricks, glass facades and an open kitchen... Although it feels grandiose, it is still simple. With warm lights and a wooden feel, the place is relaxing.
They offer three packages on their menu, “Trust Me”, “Trust Me Lite” and “The Nozawa”. Each of them offers a variety of Sugarfish bites. Of course you are welcome to choose and make your own selection “a la carte”.
- Organic Edamame served cold and cooked al dente leaves a certain crunch with just the right amount of salt and sauces. I tried the Tuna Sashimi, a small portion, but intensely tasty. The red raw fish lay beautifully on a thin layer of yuzu sauce.
- Now for the Albacore sushi, salmon and snapper sushi, two pieces of each order. Oh my God! I never enjoyed sushi this good. Tasty and well prepared on all fronts… right amount of rice, a generous portion of fish…. fine dining bites! The rice is warm and has character, thick slices of fish, no soy needed…. a pure pleasure for to the senses. It’s super clear why this place is famous.
- Halibut and yellow tail, more sushi, nothing with nori or mayonnaise, pure fish and some sauce, a lightly spicy intensely tangy sauce. Warm rice, pure fish, redefined perfection.
- When you see hand-rolled bites land on the table expect to scream. WTF followed by a WOW! Crunchy nori leaves majestically wrapped around warm rice and fish. I tried the Toro Hand Rolls and the Blue Crab Hand Roll... Oh my goodness, this is what real Japanese is all about. I have discovered a new cuisine I didn't know existed.
- Words are not enough to describe the pieces I tried tonight. Scallops or Yellow Tail… how the fish melts under your teeth in style, how the nori lightly crunches and this magical sauce...
- Rolls, hand cut in eight pieces are simple; rice and lobster. No sauces, no mayonnaise. This is the only order I added soy to with a bit of their hand brushed wasabi.
- Best for last, the warm and sweet unagi left me speechless.
It was an amazing experience I highly recommend.
