"Money Sea" or "Sea Money" as Okane Umi translates to English...or maybe it's "Show me (see) the money!"
I've been here a few times now and I always enjoy myself. Really, my only complaint is the prices but then, sushi everywhere is pricey so this gripe isn't solely about Okane Umi. Still, I do think they could lower some of the prices to attract more clientele but maybe they don't need to because Okane Umi is quite popular. I guess I miss the old Club Sushi (Hermosa Beach) days with my Dad. We were monthly regulars of their amazing Happy Hour which included 1/2 price sushi and specials on drinks. I'd love to see that at Okane Umi and I'd definitely frequent it more often. But I digress.
The restaurant itself is modern and attractive and the staff is friendly and attentive.
Our most recent visit was for my birthday and my Mom was treating us. I'd made sushi at home multiple times of late so I let her pay for us this time. It is DEFINITELY cheaper to make sushi at home (I paid $6.75 for two pieces of salmon sushi at Okane Umi and I can get a big hunk of sushi grade salmon at Tokyo Central for $10-$12 that makes about 16 pieces), that's for sure, and I've gotten quite good at it, I must say. But every once in awhile, it's nice to turn it over to the professionals.
And professionals they are. In addition to regular sushi (which is of very good quality), Okane Umi's menu is large with many creative rolls being offered. I really like how the menu has pictures and full descriptions of each roll.
Of the more expensive rolls, we ordered the Hulk Roll ($17.50 - Inside: Spicy smashed Softshell Crab, Crab Meat / Outside: Avocado, Spicy Smashed Soft Shell Crab / With: Sriracha on the Top, Eel Sauce on the Side), Yellowtail Cilantro Roll ($18.50 - Inside: Cucumber, Yellowtail, Cilantro / Outside: Yellowtail, Serrano Pepper / With: Ponzu Sauce on the Top) and two of the rather ridiculously costly Umi Handrolls ($24.50 each - Inside: Cucumber, Chopped, Bluefin Tuna, Sea Urchin, Black Tobiko, Cilantro, Jalapeno, Green Onion / Outside: Wrapped with Soy Paper).
Aside from the Umi Handroll, I'm not sure why the other two rolls were priced considerably higher than 'Premium Rolls' which are priced higher than the 'Basic Rolls'. Basic rolls (like California ($7), Spicy Tuna ($8.50), Salmon Skin ($8.50) seem fairly priced; we orderd a Salmon Skin roll and it was tasty. But then the Premium Rolls are $12 - $17. Then the Okane Specialty Rolls are $14 - $24.50 with most being in the $18 average range. Okane Chefs Special Rolls are around the prices of the Okane Specialty Rolls. Oh, and I looked up what Okane means...MONEY!
Again, I'm just bitching about high prices in general and these are pretty average compared to other good sushi bars of the same calibre. I just think the Hulk Roll and the Spicy Yellowtail roll could come down a few bucks...and well, the Umi Roll...it was definitely special but I too think that could come down a few bucks as well.
As for the taste of the rolls, everything was great. I'd say the Hulk Roll was my least favorite and the my favorite is always the Yellowtail Cilantro Roll. The Umi Handroll was new for me and really delicious but I keep thinking about that $49 charge for the two of 'em.
We also ordered the Honey Salmon Roll ($15.50 - Inside: Crabmeat, Fresh Salmon / Outside: Deep Fried (Seaweed Outside) / With: Eel and Spicy Mayo on top) and it was tasty as well as a couple veggie rolls (veggie tempura roll and a cucumber, avocado, cream cheese roll) in soy paper ($1.50 upcharge) for my non-seafood eating wife ($12 & $12.50) and she enjoyed them very much. We ordered a Salmon Roll for $9.50 and it was good.
The sushi was great...three of us had 2 pieces of salmon ($6.75 each order) and 2 pieces of yellowtail ($7.50 each order). I had wanted an order of Ankimo sushi but they brought sashimi for $19.50; honestly, I didn't catch the mistake at the time but I certainly would have preferred the $7.50 charge for 2 pieces of sushi or even $11.75 for 3 pieces of sashimi. I mean, 5 pieces of monkfish liver for the only guy who would eat it is a bit much and I LIKE Ankimo....sushi.
Our attentive server brought us free ice cream for my birthday which was a nice touch.
Now, we ordered a lot and the bill was high for the 5 of us, in my opinion, especially with 1 non-fish eater and no booze. 3 of us ordered non-alcoholic drinks and the total with 20% tip was $306. One of the reasons we ordered so much is that my Mom (with memory issues) kept saying she had had only 2 pieces of sushi and she was still hungry. My kiddos quickly learned to also say that they had had only 2 pieces of sushi so they could get Grandma to order more. I had to put an end to this rather quickly but we were stuffed when we left.
Bottom line: Great sushi, service and ambiance at standard (yet high for me) prices.
Rock bottom line: We'll definitely be back next time this home sushi chef (ME) needs a break. lol read more