Sushi connoisseurs have a multitude of options, from small and intimate, to large and trendy in St. Louis SIZE=1 NOSHADE> by Elizabeth Slonim Macanufo
Growing up in St. Louis in the 1980s, going out for sushi wasn’t an option. Although Chinese restaurants were in abundance, the Japanese fare hadn’t yet made it to this mid-western town. Post-college on the sushi-friendly East Coast, I moved back to my hometown craving the raw fish, which I’d learned to love. The possibilities were plentiful. Sushi restaurants had popped up across St. Louis from Downtown to the Chesterfield Valley. Sushi connoisseurs have a multitude of options, from small and intimate, to large and trendy. Diners can visit strictly Japanese restaurants, or those offering other Asian fare as well. Whether eaten with forks, chopsticks, or your hands, these sushi selections are sure to please.
NOBU’S JAPANESE RESTAURANT 8643 Olive Blvd St Louis, MO 63132 (314) 997-2303 Hours: (Mon-Thurs) 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Fri) 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Sat) 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Sun) 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Nobu’s Japanese Restaurant is located just west of St. Louis’ Chinatown in what was an abandoned IHOP. While the chain’s signature blue roof remains, no smell of bacon and eggs linger at Nobu’s. Created in 1993 by Noboru Kidera, the sushi chef oversees the longstanding sushi spot, one of St. Louis’ first. While Nobu’s offers sushi favorites such as maguro (tuna), ebi (shrimp) and sake (salmon), those with an adventurous palate may wish to try the awabi (abalone), hirame (fluke) and aoyagi (orange clam). The salmon belly or jaw and mackerel are also highly recommended for those who like more fatty fish.
MISO ON MERAMEC 16 North Meramec Avenue St. Louis, MO 63105 (314) 863-7888 Hours: (Tues-Wed) 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., bar closes at 1:30 a.m. (Thurs-Fri) 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., bar closes at 1:30 a.m. (Sat) 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., bar closes at 1:30 a.m. (Sun) 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., bar closes at midnight Located in the heart of downtown Clayton, Miso on Meramec’s chef Hayes Green used Pacific Rim influence to create his menu. Catering to the Clayton business crowd and socially mobile twenty-somethings, Miso’s lounge atmosphere includes regular seating, cocktail tables, and plush sofas. In addition to sushi, Miso’s seasonal menu includes Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese-inspired dishes. Nigiri and maki sushi are available. Those who are wanting to try several varieties can try one of the many combo suggestions, including a sushi and sashimi offering. Complimenting the dinner menu are diverse drink choices consisting of sake and exotic cocktails. Diners may wish to stay to hear soulful house music or music themed nights with a live dj.
CHA YOON ELIXIR AND TEA BAR 4 North Euclid Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 367-2209 Hours: (Mon-Thurs) 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Fri-Sat) 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Cha Yoon Elixir and Tea Bar is an intimate sushi restaurant located in the lively Central West End. Each seat views the sushi bar, and the chefs behind it creating the main event. Soup and appetizers are available, but the focus of the small menu is the sushi. The menu is separated into sections including sashimi, nigiri, thin rolls, medium rolls, and thick rolls. Creative specialty rolls are also available, ranging from the dragon roll (crab, cucumber, avocado, and eel) to the spicy red dragon roll (shrimp, asparagus, spicy smoked tuna flakes, and spicy tuna). Tea is also a main feature of the menu. Varieties include bubble teas, specialty blends, herbal tonics, and traditional teas.
MODAI SUSHI LOUNGE 6100 Delmar Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63112 (314) 725-8330 Hours: (Sun-Thurs) 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., bar closes at 1:30 a.m. (Fri-Sat) 5:30 – 10:30, bar closes at 1:30 a.m. Modai Sushi Lounge is amongst the latest restaurants in the popular University City Loop. The sleek, urban décor lends itself to an upscale, yet relaxing dining experience. In addition to sushi, Modai offers appetizers, soup and salad, as well as vegetarian and meat-based entrees. Sushi varieties include sashimi, nigiri, and rolls. The specialty rolls give a shout out to the surrounding area as a “SLU Roll,” “Wash U Roll,” and “U City Roll.” All sushi rolls are served with Miso soup. Modai also offers a variety of cocktails, some of which are served with muddled cucumber or kiwi. The downstairs portion of the restaurant serves as bar with a live dj on the weekend.
Open all major holidays.
SEKISUI 3024 South Grand Avenue St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 772-0002 Hours: (Sun) 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Mon – Thurs) 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Fri) 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Sat) 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Diners at Sekisui are treated to one of the most unique features in all of St. Louis restaurants – a calming waterfall dividing the restaurant into two parts. The waterfall forms an open and relaxing atmosphere for sushi lovers to enjoy chef Kenji Nemoto’s creations. Chef Nemoto is notorious for his devotion to St. Louis Cardinal’s player So Taguchi, and has created a Cardinals Roll (smelt roe avocado, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber) in his honor. Sekisui’s menu includes a section of “Chef Kenji’s Specialties,” listing varieties of Sashimi Salad to squid and octopus with miso sauce. Chef Nemoto is known to wander among his diners, inquiring as to how they’re enjoying his rolls. The answers are inevitably positive.
SANSUI 4955 West Pine Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 367-2020 Hours: (Tues-Thurs) 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Fri) 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Sat) 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Outside of Sansui restaurant is a working water wheel. This feature is a clue to what lies inside: the restaurant’s aesthetics and menu offerings are all Japanese-oriented. One of the older sushi restaurants in the city, Sansui offers over thirty appetizers. Nightly specialties come in the form of omakase sushi and traditional Japanese dishes include the grilled head of sea bream or the monkfish liver. Keeping with the Japanese theme, sushi is served in wooden boats. Meats such as chicken, lamb, and shrimp, and for the more adventurous, squid, duck, and cows tongue are also available. These selections come with a choice of sauce, consisting of a miso-based sauce and special soy sauce.
THE RITZ CARLTON LOBBY LOUNGE 100 Carondelet Plaza St. Louis, MO 63105 (314) 863-6300 Hours: (Tues-Thurs) 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Fri-Sat) 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. If you have ever wanted to eat sushi with chandeliers hanging over head, the Ritz Carlton Lobby Lounge is the place. Plush chairs and beautiful wooden tables provide seating at this upscale establishment. The sushi bar selection includes traditional appetizers such as miso soup, and the more unique scallops brulee. Sashimi and nigiri are offered, as well as sushi rolls and specialty rolls. While the prices may be higher than the average sushi joint, the quantity and quality are above average. Hand rolls come in cone shapes, and a fun variation of sushi. The Lobby Lounge also has a selection of more that 200 martinis and live entertainment Thurs-Sun. While dining, don’t miss out on the people watching as sports teams and celebrities often stay at the hotel.
Open all major holidays.
SUB ZERO VODKA BAR 308 North Euclid Avenue St. Louis, MO 63011 (314) 367-1200 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 4 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. (Sun) 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. Sub Zero Vodka Bar is located on prime real estate in the Central West End. The bar specializes in vodka, offering 170 styles kept at 0 degree temperatures. While they’re known for their vodka, they’re also a hot spot for sushi. The menu includes nigiri as well as temaki, or hand rolled sushi. Tamaki varieties include California, salmon, tuna, and eel avocado. Combination plates are available, as well as rolls. The owners put their personal stamp on the menu by creating their own roll. The Lucas Roll contains eel, yellowtail, avocado, and cucumber. Beyond sushi, the Sub Zero menu includes appetizers, such as tempura shrimp and sashimi, fried rice, and for those uninterested in Asian fare, pizza.
OISHI SUSHI BAR AND STEAKHOUSE 100 Chesterfield Valley Drive Chesterfield, MO 63005 (636) 530-1198 Hours: (Mon-Thurs) 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Fri) 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Sat) 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Sun) 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Oishi is a Japanese word which translates into English as “delicious.” This upscale sushi restaurant is located in the outskirts of St. Louis in the Chesterfield Valley. Oishi Sushi Bar and Steakhouse serves sushi staples such as salmon, tuna, and yellow tail as well as specialty items including sea urchin and Toro, or fatty tuna. Rolls and a-la-cart offerings on the menu are supplemented with photographs and descriptions of each item. For the couple who can’t decide between sushi and steak, high-end items, such as filet mignon and lobster tail, are also available, as well as chicken and salmon.
THE DRUNKEN FISH 612 North 2nd Street St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 241-9595 Hours: (Sun-Thurs) 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Fri-Sat) 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. With three locations in St. Louis (the Landing, the Central West End, and Westport Plaza), the Drunken Fish attracts those looking for a club-like atmosphere in which to enjoy sushi and martinis. In addition to its extensive menu, the Drunken Fish offers 30 signature cocktails. The sushi menu includes both sashimi and rolls. Those feeling adventurous may try the “Chef’s Choice.” The menu incorporates other Asian specialties including udon noodle bowls, fried rice platters, and teriyaki dishes. Following dinner, those who are feeling festive may want to stick around for live music and karaoke. Although The Drunken Fish came along to the St. Louis sushi scene in 2003, it regularly wins readers choice awards in area publications.
The Top List of Sushi Restaurants - St. Louis, MO