Kyatchi

Kyatchi is quite possibly the best sushi I've ever had.

Of course, I offer the caveat that I live in Minneapolis, MN, so what do I know about sushi? Well, let me tell you... I know a lot about sushi and I'm offended by the accusation I just made about myself, and the midwest in general. I've been eating sushi for most of my adult life. I've eaten at nearly every sushi restaurant in the Twin Cities over the past decade, many of which I would rank among the best places I've visited in New York City and San Francisco. I'm not saying I'm some kind of sushi expert, just that I love sushi and eat it every chance I get, and also that I'm probably some kind of sushi expert.

Before dining here last night, about three weeks after they opened on the corner of 38th and Nicollet, I probably would've named Nami as the best sushi I've had in the Twin Cities, or possibly the downtown Origami location, both of which are still strong contenders for the title, but I dunno. The quality and flavor of the fish at Kyatchi was akin to visiting Shangri-La... and then going to a really good sushi restaurant, or something. Anyway, it was good sushi. I would definitely say that the menus at places like Nami or Origami, or even Tango, Fuji-ya, et all, are larger and more extensive than the one at Kyatchi, but when you taste compare the fish you'll understand why that's some what unimportant.

I don't even think you need to get any rolls at Kyatchi, just sashimi, since the fish is so good. Our waiter said something about where their fish is from, how it's shipped to ensure freshness or something, but I'll admit I didn't really pay attention. It's not him, it's me. I generally don't listen when people talk. I'm an asshole. Maybe my sister, with whom I dined last night, listened and will post what he said in the comments, but I have a sneaking suspicion she wasn't paying attention either. Anyway: The sashimi tasted like candy, and was just perfect. Literally from the first taste I knew this place was special. I don't remember exactly what we got, but there was something white, some kind of tuna, and scallops, which were amazing. We also got some rolls too, which somehow had the best rice I've ever had in a sushi restaurant. It was flavorful without being overpowering, and was warm and soft and not chewy like 99% of the rice you get elsewhere.

We also got a side of "Japanese potato salad," which seemed to be just mashed potatoes. They were fine, but bland. I don't need to get those again. They menu also has hot dogs, which seems odd, but they actually look really good, and I suppose are "japanese-ified" (my word, not theirs), with odd toppings. I'll try one of those next time.

The tap list was surprisingly huge, and possibly the most extensive at any sushi restaurant in the twin cities, with some local selections and imports. It was happy hour when we dined, which I think got us $2 off taps, and a few cheaper starters.

Although, to be perfectly clear, cheaper didn't mean cheap, since this isn't a cheap dining experience, but then again, sushi never is. The drink selections for happy hour are great, but I would like to have seen a few more sushi rolls and discounted prices. The only happy hour food we got was the potato salad (more out of curiosity than because it sounded good), and the sashimi combo, which had (I think) four pieces and cost 9 bucks, which is really expensive in my opinion, but it was so fucking delicious I'll totally get it every time I go and have no regrets. We also finished things off with some donut the waiter recommended, which was fine. Hell, it was good even, but it was also just a donut.

Our server's name was Tim, and he was also worth raving about. If you've ever had dinner with me or my sister, then you know how embarrassing and awkward we are, and Tim just rolled with it, and even made a pretty convincing performance of finding us tolerable. He even laughed at some of our jokes, which makes him something of a hero right there. Anyway, if you go to Kyatchi, make sure you sit in Tim's section. He's the nice guy who looks like Crispin Glover.

Here's the highest compliment I can pay to the food at Kyatchi: I forgot to take pictures of almost all of it because it looked so good I just had to eat it. If you've ever eaten with me (or just follow me on instagram), you know how extraordinary that is. I eat a lot of cold meals because I take so many pictures first. But we were nearly done before I realized I didn't take any pictures. Luckily we got another roll so I could take a picture, but I do wish I had gotten more shots of the sashimi since it was as beautiful as it was delicious. But I guess that just gives me one more reason to go back.

Sushi Tango

The new Sushi Tango has finally opened its doors, right across the hallway from the location of the old Sushi Tango. The menu is more extensive, the space is larger and more comfortable, and the ambiance is brighter and looks more trendy. So rest assured that the wait is over and it was well worth it. Sushi Tango is back and, I'm happy to say, it's probably going to be better than ever.

Die hard fans of the old location might need a period of adjustment as they get used to the new decor and a vibe that, frankly, seems like a different restaurant all together, but much of the wait staff is the same and the food tasted as good as ever. The sushi still tasted fresh and delicious and even though the egg rolls are now called spring rolls, they tasted the same, albeit with a different sauce. The service was quite slow -- and the appetizers arrived along with the main course, which I absolutely hate -- but they did just open their doors a week or so ago, so I'm willing to give them time to work out the kinks of the new establishment. Though, to be sure, Tango's service has never been particularly fast, which is fine because the servers are friendly and personable and the food is always worth the wait. However, the new location is larger which might make it harder to flag down your server when you're ready for that second bottle of sake.

Along with the familiar menu of fantastic, original sushi rolls and traditional Japanese entrees are new Benihana-style hibachi tables which I did not try, nor did anybody while we were there. There is also a patio overlooking the Calhoun Square parking garage which looks cozy and big, but also completely devoid of tables. When I asked the server when the patio was going to open, she told me they still haven't received the ok from the city to serve food on the patio, so it remains to be seen when that will happen. I hope they sort it out soon, because nice, comfortable patios that aren't just tables set out on the sidewalk are few and far between in Uptown.

The bathrooms were also a little strange, with two mens rooms, one with just a urinal and another with just a toilet. I don't want to sound crass, but if you find yourself having to seriously take a number two, make sure you choose the door that says "mens/handicapped." A long sink under a dual-sided mirror separates the bathroom areas, allowing men and women to wash their hands across from one another. I suppose this might be fun for coeds on Saturday night, but I found the placement of the faucets right under the mirror to be quite awkward. I had to lean back as I ducked down to keep my face from hitting the mirror as I reached for the faucet. You'll see what I mean when you go there and wash your hands.

But little quirks aside, it's a lovely space housing a fantastic restaurant. If you've never been to Sushi Tango, it's one of the best sushi restaurants in the city and you're in for a real treat. If you have been to the old location, rest assured that there has been no noticeable decline in quality in their move to a bigger, better location. Sushi Tango remains my second favorite sushi restaurant after Nami, and my very favorite in Uptown. It also has a fantastic happy hour, which I discussed here.

5 out of 5

Bagu Sushi

Bagu Sushi is a wonderful selection of Japanese delicacies in search of a better restaurant. It's a hallway lined with a few tables along both walls, illuminated by strange, orange lights that makes every patron's complexion resemble that of an Oompa Loompa. The seating arrangement is vastly superior in the summer, since they finally open up their wonderful, spacious backyard patio, but even then you have to stand blocking the front door as you awkwardly wait for the hostess to finally find you a table, a process that takes far too long whether you have a reservation or not.

But perhaps I'm being a bit too harsh. Sure, the lighting and the décor are garish, the seating is awkward and cramped, and the service is usually really, really slow, but it's all worth it because the sushi is really, really good. Oh, and if you live in South Minneapolis like I do, it's the only game around if you don't want to drive into the city or to uptown. The restaurant's distance from the city probably explains why they don't have a happy hour of any kind.

To be honest, I go there for the sushi so I can't really comment on their regular Japanese fare, for which there is a full and complete menu. I've had a bit here and there from what other people I was with ordered, and it all seemed pretty good if not all together outstanding. But the sushi is usually fantastic. They have the usual rolls and sashimi, and a handful or more creative, special items that you might not find anywhere else. One of my favorites is the Three Wise Guys, which is a blend of tuna, and salmon wrapped in rice and coated with tempura flakes. It's crunchy on the outside and tender in the middle, offering a wonderful flavor and texture that you don't usually find from sushi. I also recommend the Sunrise, which is a roll filled with tuna and wrapped in mango. Also, Bagu has the best Philly roll I've had in the Twin Cities. The Philly is usually filled with too much cream cheese, but Bagu is the only place I know of that actually gives you more salmon to counter the flavor of the cream.

And while the rolls are creative and well put together and the fish is always fresh and succulent, the appetizers are a bit unappetizing in my opinion. Stay away from the Japanese Bagel Balls, which are deep-fried blobs of salmon and cream cheese. Then again, with a name like "Japanese Bagel Balls," they shouldn't be too hard to avoid ordering. The salad is the usual ginger dressing you get at most Japanese restaurants, but I thought it was filled with a bit too much broccoli and onions for my tastes. The miso soup is quite good, but come on. How do you screw up miso soup?

My last of complaint is about their lack of sake. I don't mean to imply that their selection of sake is too limiting, but that their selection of sake is nonexistent. The first time I tried to order sake from Bagu I was told that they were currently looking for a distributor. This was over a year ago, and still no sake. They have a rather impressive wine selection and the usual assortment of beers, but no sake. This is a sticking point for me because I love a nice hot sake with my sushi. It would be like going to a sports bar that doesn't serve beer. Just get your sake problems sorted out already, Mr. Bagu. Every other sushi joint in town has it.

It may sound like I'm giving Bagu a mixed review, but I'm actually quite fond of the place and recommend it highly. In fact, it's because I'm so fond of it that I'm being so critical. I go there a lot because I love the food, and I would love to see it taken to that next level of exceptional cuisine. For starters, they need to create some sort of waiting area so you don't feel like a complete jerk hovering over other peoples' tables while you wait for your own. Or, at the very least, speed up the service and learn to actually have reserved tables ready when you arrive. Oh, and get some sake already, but I don't want to harp on that point too much for fear you'll think I'm an alcoholic.

4 out of 5