LOOK MICHIRU, I'M TRYING HERE. I'M REALLY TRYING TO LIKE YOU.
YOU ARE'NT MAKING IT EASY THOUGH.
WHY YOU GOTTA BE LIKE THAT?
I so wish I could do half stars because honestly the 3 I'm giving is probably a little too nice. My reviews are generally positive and full of love, and I do believe there are some good things here otherwise I wouldn't take the time to review it.
But this has to be the most frustrating place in the area for me to write about because it's inconsistency made manifest. Every time I go here it's a roll of the dice, and I'm a man who HATES GAMBLING.
The first time I went the food did not remotely agree with me. All I had was an order of fried rice and a few bites of Sushi that I picked off my companions plates. The rice was greasy and had a funny taste to it and the Sushi I have to admit tasted pretty good. I left very confused but optimistic that further attendance would be better. About 30 minutes later..... well you can fill in the rest.
You'd think I surely wouldn't go back and that would be it right? That is not the case. Had that Sushi not impressed me I wouldn't have, but it was pretty damn good.
So I went back and ordered just Sushi, and it was great, not like top 5 great but good for the price. The kind of Sushi that dominates the menu here is that newschool showy, fusioney, drizzly affair. While it succeeds in originality and is a testament to the skill of a good chef, it strays away from the kind of contemplative experience traditional Sushi engenders. There is just such an excess of flavors and textures in these rolls, it's really cacophonous and hard to get that zen like moment where flavor and texture intermingle and an act becomes more of an "experience".
Come the third time back I decided to branch out again and try something not Sushi. Perhaps my first experience was just bad luck. I ordered a yellow curry that struggled to keep it's head above bland waters. I left disappointed and with jacked up guts 40 minutes later.
I'VE GONE BACK SEVERAL MORE TIMES. Not on my own accord but as a companion. And yes each time has been a crapshoot. And my food was paid for, and its really hard to hate on free food, but alas even that could not save it.
It's really difficult for me to recommend this place. I would say go for the Sushi, because it's probably the thing they do most well consistently. But even then I think there are better places in the area. Both for the traditional and the newschool styles. And it's a shame too because it's quite a lovely place. It's got a very comfortable and inviting vibe, the wait staff is pretty ok, and the food doesn't take forever, but it doesnt come out suspiciously fast either.
I wouldn't have any gripes with the pricing (which is reasonable) but I don't go out to play "food roulette". With such finicky quality it makes the place seem more overpriced than it really is. Hell I feel hard pressed recommending their lunch specials, which anywhere else would be absolute steals.
I think there is potential here. On it's best days it out does places like Masa (the 646 one which I think is overrated tripe) easily. Hell it gives Sushi Coast (which I would say is it's chief rival) a real run for it's money too. Sushi Coast's rolls tend to be on the messy side and wait times there are not as good as Michiru's. But, you guessed it, Sushi Coast is FAR MORE CONSISTENT.
It's been a while (about 6 months or so) since I've been back. And for all I know the place has improved and totally worth it. I just don't feel confident enough to venture back and I'm not sure I ever will.
So I guess that speaks for itself... read more