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.
