Sushi Bar - Revisit

Just because I want to, I’m writing about my go-to sushi place again-- Sushi Bar. People ask me all the time where I go for sushi now that H2O is gone (we still miss them) and Sushi Bar is what I tell them. There is one caveat though, if all you want is sashimi or nigiri (not rolls), I would choose somewhere else. That is just not their expertise. The rolls are also great because they are not the as big as your head variety. I like to be able to eat a piece without struggling to fit it in my mouth.

We were with the in-laws on this visit, so we got to get all our favorites (we usually get the same two and then vary the third choice) plus one we had never had before. One of the two we always get is the 2009 roll. It has shrimp tempura on the inside and spicy tuna and avocado on the outside with tempura flakes and spicy mayo. We also always get the Christmas roll ($7.99) which is spicy tuna inside and lots of avocado sliced on the outside and then topped with pretty red tobiko. We also alternate between the Spider wig, which is soft shell crab inside with spicy mayo and eel sauce and little piece of pineapple on top that adds a nice little kick of sweetness and acid, and the fantasy roll, which had tempura scallop inside with spicy mayo, avocado and crispy crab strings on top. As far as the spider wig roll goes, I am normally not a pineapple person, but this is just right. Sometimes the fantasy roll really wows me, but this time the scallop tasted a little fishy, so I only ate one piece. But I like the slightly crunchier crunch that it has over the regular tempura.

The new roll we tried was the wasabi roll ($10.99), which we ended up really enjoying as well. It might even go into the regular rotating alternative roll. It had tempura asparagus inside (there were two pieces side by side) and was topped with salmon, spicy mayo and wasabi tobiko. It had all my favorite things about a sushi roll—the requisite crunch from the tempura and a bit from the tobiko as well as the silkiness from the salmon and moisture from the mayo. It was a nice roll and the asparagus and salmon were a nice variation from our usual choices.

In general, rolls are between $5-$14 or so, sorry I don’t have all the specifics on my particular rolls, but I feel like they are comparatively well priced for rolls. Obviously, the more ingredients, the more expensive they become. The service is very friendly, particularly when you become a regular (they worry when only three of the four of our family comes in). They know what we drink and tend to bring them quickly. They are generally busy on weekend nights (when we tend to go), but I have never had to wait very long, if at all.

Anyone else a regular here?

Sushi Bar

911 Broad Ripple Avenue

Indy  46220

317/257-7289

www.sushibarindy.com 

Sushi Bar - Revisit

Hubby and I had hit our limit of decadent holiday dinners just after Christmas and decided to go back to Sushi Bar and see how they were doing. My first visits were both enjoyable so we looked forward to seeing if they have maintained their quality. 

We really just wanted sushi so we ordered several rolls and a couple pieces of salmon nigiri and skipped any appetizers. I did also had a bowl of miso soup ($2). I have to say, they may have one of the better bowls of miso I have had around town. It just seems heartier somehow, a denser broth. It was studded with the usual cubes of tofu and some seaweed.

We had the Christmas roll (seemed appropriate) ($7.99), the Phoenix roll ($10.99), and the Hoosier roll ($4.50)—and as I mentioned, an order of salmon nigiri ($4.50).  Honestly, I think our favorite was probably the Christmas roll. It had spicy tuna and crunch on the inside and lots of sliced avocado on top, as well as some masago. Even though the spicy tuna was more of the less identifiable pieces of fish (almost more like a paste), it had a nice crunch with the tempura bits and you know how much I love avocado. The flavors and textures were nice together. 

The Phoenix roll is one we often get in some variation in a lot of sushi places. It had shrimp tempura inside—and they were generous on the shrimp—there was quite a bit of shrimp sticking outside the ends, not just the tail. It was topped with eel and avocado and unagi sauce, which is a soy based slightly sweet sauce. We like a bit of crunch, so we like the ones with fried stuff in them.  It hit the spot.

I kind of threw the Hoosier roll on at the end of our order worried we wouldn’t have enough. And it was only $4.50 so I figured it would be small. It was only 6 pieces vs. the larger 8 piece rolls that are topped with stuff. It was simple with just plain tuna and avocado and drizzled with spicy mayo. It was a good addition and for the price, you can’t really go wrong.

The only real complaint we had about the rolls overall was there was something just a little off about the nori (seaweed). It was just a little too chewy. I am not sure what causes that, but from my cursory search online, it can be from just too much moisture –like if the rice is moister than normal. All the rolls suffered a bit from it. It didn’t ruin the meal or anything, but we both noticed it right away. The salmon nigiri was one of the best things, probably because it was a great piece of fish and because it didn’t have any of the nori on it.

All in all, (hopefully temporary) nori issue aside, I think the Sushi Bar is a solid choice, particularly on Broad Ripple Avenue. The prices are reasonable (and the beers are still $1 for domestic bottles and $2 for imports!), the food is good quality and our service was friendly and efficient. In fact if anyone was slow, it was us trying to make up our minds about what we wanted. The place was doing a steady business as well and I was glad to see it.

Sushi Bar

911 Broad Ripple Avenue

Indy  46220

317/257-7289

www.sushibarindy.com 

Sushi Bar

I feel like I have been in a rut lately and wanted to try something new. I have heard some good things about the new Sushi Bar on Broad Ripple Avenue and wanted to check it out.  We were both impressed by how cute the interior of the place was when we walked in (ok, hubby would not use the word “cute,” but whatever).  They have done a really nice job of giving it a feel that is more than just your typical Japanese restaurant.  There’s a bay window in the front with a large sunken booth that was full with a family when we walked in—I can’t wait to take the kids back to sit there, they would love it (and the rest of the restaurant can’t hear them as well—it’s a win-win.)

see the size of the glass?

Anyway, we sat down and ordered some drinks—one of the first perks of this place is cheap alcohol.  They have $1 domestic beers and $2 imports and while the wine list is, um, well, what you expect of most Japanese places, when you order a glass, it is a serious glass. As in HUGE.  So you get your money’s worth here too (I think my glass was $6.99 which was one of the more expensive ones).

We started with an order of veggie tempura ($6.95). They also have an eggplant tempura appetizer that I was intrigued by and asked the server if eggplant was included in the mixed veggie option—she said no.  So it was a nice surprise when she brought it out and told us they had gone ahead and added a couple pieces of eggplant. I appreciate these things.  I also loved that there was a piece of broccoli in there as well (and various squash and a couple of onion rings). The tempura was only ok though—it just wasn’t quite crispy enough.  The taste was good, but it needed another minute or hotter oil.

Next they brought us our rolls—we ordered the “2010 roll” which was a special on the board and was a roll with shrimp tempura inside and avocado, spicy tuna and crispy crab flakes on the outside (around $13).  We both enjoyed the flavors of this one—there was also a light sauce beneath the crunchy crab flavored bits—my only problem with it was it was so tall, it was hard to get it in your mouth.  I also thought it was interesting that the pieces of shrimp tempura that were inside the roll were much crunchier than the ones in the veggie tempura appetizer.  I think a lot of places must fry the stuff that goes inside rolls longer to keep them crunchier once they’re in the roll. I just wish they would fry the other stuff as crunchy.  Loved the crunchy bits on top to give the roll lots of texture.

We also had the red dragon roll (I am almost sure that was its name—around $12) and it was very good. Probably more up my alley because it was a little easier to eat and the tuna on top was great.  It was eel and avocado inside and fresh tuna on top (actually rolled almost all the way around).  There was also a lightly sweet unagi sauce on top.  This one didn’t have the texture of the first one obviously, but it had a great, more simplified flavor. And the ingredients were extremely fresh and well done.

We also had an order of tuna nigiri ($4.50 for 2 pieces) because hubby really likes nigiri (which is just the rice topped with the fish).  It was also very good—a good way to really get a handle on the freshness of the fish—this was melt in  your mouth tender and the rice had that slight sweet/vinegar taste that makes nigiri shine.  I sometimes don’t like nigiri as much because there is wasabi added (often a bit is put under the fish) but this one didn’t have that problem. 

Our server was nice, but had a little bit of attitude—I think she was trying to be funny, but sometimes it came across as a little snotty.  As the restaurant got busier, she was more focused on getting food and drinks out and I enjoyed myself more (the giant glass of wine didn’t hurt either).  I was also entertained by the couple who came in toward the end of the meal and asked the server to explain everything to them—they had never had any type of sushi before (I love eavesdropping on the tables around me).  I have to hand it to them though—way to be bold and just ask for help.  The menu is quite large—I think there are probably 20-30 different rolls alone, not to mention a menu full of other good sounding things, including several noodle dishes that I would like to try.

Overall, while there are certain things that could use some improvement (the tempura for sure, as well as the fact there is no website to be found), this is a good addition to Broad Ripple village proper.  The food is good and the prices are pretty reasonable (particularly for beer-- although it is technically a “special,” the special sign looked fairly permanent).  They have a kids menu, which so few Japanese restaurants seem to have, and I know we’ll be back with the kids to give the place a try as a family.  So who has had the noodles and other dishes?  What else is good?

Sushi Bar

911 Broad Ripple Avenue

Indy  46220

317/257-7289

There is no website (there is a facebook page with nothing really on it).  It is hard to believe in this day and age that a new restaurant doesn’t have a website, but maybe that’s just me.
***Update 11/2/12: they have a website! 
www.sushibarindy.com