Rolling ocean tides. Upbeat, trancelike music. Fresh, traditional sushi prepared by knowledgeable chefs. You would think such an atmosphere could only exist on the upscale Hollywood Boulevard. Now Omaha has that luxury as well.
The restaurant Blue Sushi Sake Grill, which opened in the fall of 2008 in the Old Market, offers a sultry blend of Asian fusion cuisine and a tranquil pacific vibe to create a unique dining experience. Since I am a fan of both Asian cuisine and skilled sushi artists that prepare their masterpieces in front of an audience, I decided this restaurant was worth “wading into.”
Upon entering the restaurant, my eyes are immediately drawn to the images of the melodic surf on the large flat screen. The sushi chefs, silhouetted against the screen, are intently focused on their creations. The soft blue ember lighting and trendy music, complemented by a large aquarium, are soothing to the soul and I can already see that Blue’s mission is to provide its customers with the ultimate sensory experience.
To begin the evening, my party orders steamed and salted edamame, which is a light and refreshing prelude to our meal. Choosing a sushi roll proves to be a more difficult task, as Blue offers several rolls on its menu. These exquisite dishes were born from the culinary vision of executive chef Tony Gentile and executive sushi chef Tom Buder.
After much debate, I decide on the Spicy Popeye, partially because of the name and partially because I am in the mood for a spicy tuna roll. It contains spicy tuna, spinach and avocado wrapped in a sticky rice blanket. The fish does not have a “fishy” taste to it, indicating the catch must have been fresh and properly prepared. The smooth combination of the flavors makes the roll literally melt in my mouth. I also try the Rainbow Roll, complete with tuna, white fish, salmon and shrimp, in short, a seafood-lover’s dream dish. The presentation of the rolls is equally impressive, each piece of the roll delicately assembled on the plate, topped off with a sprinkle of caviar and adorned with colorful wasabi and ginger on the side. The Crunchy Blue roll, which is a simple yet satisfying combination of crab and cilantro, is their signature roll.
Besides the sushi bar, Blue also has a grill that prepares other pacific-inspired seafood delicacies, like white sesame crusted calamari and miso and mirin broiled black cod. For those customers not as indulged by seafood, the grill also offers a wide range of vegetarian rolls, chicken and steak dishes and salads. To end the evening on a sweet note, the menu displays dessert rolls, like the strawberry maki with chocolate sauce, among other tempting desserts.
Just as the ambiance and cuisine are reminiscent of the West Coast, so too are the prices. The General Manager, Anthony Hitchcock, says the average check amounts to about $24 per person, and cocktails can easily push that amount closer to $40. However, Blue does have a popular happy hour every night and all day on Sundays. Sushi rolls, appetizers and even select cocktails are all reduced in price if ordered in the lounge area upstairs.
Some sushi-lovers believe that the price of eating in a trendy atmosphere actually diverts attention away from the authenticity of the sushi itself.
Nathan Hieb, an Arts & Sciences sophomore, said, “Honestly I was not a big fan of Blue. It is kind of a bad plan in my opinion to combine sushi with a dance club. I feel that Blue targets a group of people who normally would not eat sushi, but eat it because it’s trendy and not because it’s actually delicious and good for you.”
If you are looking for a young, hip dining scene, creative food and a place to splurge that last paycheck, then Blue is definitely worth checking out.
* Happy Hour is Monday – Saturday 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
* Sushi rolls range anywhere from $5 to $12.
* Check out the Web site for menu details:
www.bluesushisakegrill.com
* For reservations call
402-408-5566