FOOD: The Sushi Bar

Few foods have the instant cool
factor that sushi does. Inherently exotic, wildly artistic and begging to be
shared, sushi is a tried-and-true trendsetter reigniting today’s fashionable
food scene. Just try ordering a Triple Bypass, OMG or Naughty Girl Roll without
summoning a bit of your inner swagger.

Glamorized as a celebrity food
of choice, this chic delicacy and its urban fanfare have spawned an almost
cult-like culinary following in recent years. As rookies and connoisseurs flock
to metro havens in a quest for the freshest nibble of this succulent cuisine,
knowing the hottest spots to nosh is paramount.

One local neighborhood haunt
quickly earned the loyalty of sushi devotees after its opening a few years ago in
Edmond. Tucked in a comfy strip-mall setting, The Sushi Bar delights at first
sight with big city sizzle. Sleek bamboo, amber lighting, spacious seating and oversized,
lounge-like chairs set an easy demeanor by day and a moody ambience by night.

Serving up the freshest seafood
flown in several times each week from Japan and around the world, The Sushi Bar
also delights non-sushi diners with a superb offering of steaks, pan-seared
duck, chicken, rack of lamb and vegetarian and noodle dishes. Whether you’re
dining as a family of five, cozy couple, group of friends or clan of
colleagues, the diverse lunch, dinner and late-night menus appeal to a variety
of tastes. The New York Strip, Garlic Fried Shrimp and King Crab are favorite
dinner entrées, along with the generously portioned Chicken Teriyaki—delicious
when paired with a side of wasabi mashed potatoes and baby bok choy with
shiitake mushrooms.

One of the restaurant’s two
managers, Cory Copeland, notes that The Sushi Bar is ideal for business lunches
and family dinners because “even those who don’t want sushi can enjoy a truly
excellent meal. With six chefs on staff, each with their own specialty, it
leads to a well-rounded menu.” Even the appetizers are exquisite, including
their sensational, oversized crab cakes with the perfect crab-to-crunch ratio.
For lunch, a selection of salads, sushi and Bento Boxes—featuring select
entrées served with miso soup, salad, rice, fruit and gyoza—are served from
opening to 4pm.

Seafood-lovers know that quality
isn’t just a catchy buzzword but a defining necessity in the world of sushi.
Master Chef, Tak, who was trained by a chef from Japan and has 30 years of
expertise to his credit, remarks that his style focuses on “quality prep with
lots of technique over showiness.” Yet watching him sculpt each luscious
ingredient into a mosaic marvel is pure artistry. Take a seat at the sleek,
curved bamboo bar and enjoy a chat with the chefs who are happy to help with
your selection. Restaurant co-manager, Henry Lee, explains that “sushi rolls
can be made with or without certain ingredients, cooked or uncooked, giving the
customer full control.”

By night, this sophisticated hot
spot really comes to life with Late Night Happy Hour Thursday–Saturday from
10pm-1am and live music Friday and Saturday. With an extensive late night menu
of sushi and appetizers starting at just $2, the Sake Bombs aren’t the only
after-hours attraction.

The Sushi Bar is located at 1201 NW 178th St. in
Edmond. For more information, call (405) 285-8484 or visit thesushibarok.com.
Open Mon.-Wed. 11am to 10pm, Thurs.-Sat. 11am-1am and Sunday noon-9pm.