Gio Gutierrez

Sake Blue Asian Kitchen & Bar Review

// February 4th, 2011 // Food

Sake Blue is from the people that brought you Town Kitchen & Bar and Smoke’t Southern Kitchen & Tap in the old Chispa location.

Sake Blue is chic with DJ on weekend (on opening night), private sake vault adorned w/ graffitti (perfect for private birthday parties – check out the pics) and huge long bar with Asian-style takes on martinis using lychee, plums, etc.

Sake Blue has a Happy hour 4-7pm, 7 days a week – half off everything including bottles of wine (up to $200) with great variety of sake including one of my favorites, zipang which is sparkling sake.

The only complaint is that I hate the disposable chop sticks (generic red like the ones at canton) which kills the cool presentation of the table.

Here’s what our very knowledgable and friendly waiter Matt suggested. Needless to say we ordered half the menu which made the Executive Chef, Robert come out of the kitchen and discuss some of the finer points in the dishes along w/ the philosophy behind Sake Blue. So here’s what filled our happy belly:

* Lump Crab & Pineapple Fried Rice
* S&A Roll – Salmon / Avocado / Ooba Sauce (simple roll but the Ooba Sauce made it special)
* Steamed shrimp Lemongrass / Ginger / Ponzu (nice fresh lobster w/ little filler)
* Tuna Poke Yellowfin / Mango / Kimchee peanuts / Togarashi Potato chips / Poke Sauce (this crudo was probably one of the top 3 )
* Wok Charred Salmon w/ Crisp Bok Choy / Ponzu (probably the best tasting, perfectly seared, impeccable salmon filet w/ a taste crisp side of bok choy)
* Oxtail Wonton Soup w/ Beef Broth / Scallion
* Sweet & Sour Lobster w/ Pineapple / Shishito Peppers
* Fish Tempura Steamed Bun w/ Asian Remoulade (amazing, ordered another dish as it was spectacular)
* Chicken & Leek Skewers w/ Apple Slices
* Banana Spring Roll w/ Salted Toffee, Nuttella, Candied Peanuts and Praline Ice Cream (heaven)
* Candied Asian Pear Confit w/ Hazelnut Cookie, Spiced Syrup and Guanabana Sorbet
* Sushi – Chocolate Rice Pudding, Caramel, Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Crunch in Almond Paper (beautiful presentation and delicious)

The manager/partner John also introduced himself to us and was extremely pleasant and welcomed all feedback which we happily had nothing bad to say – great food, great service, great prices. Here’s to the whole team’s success. Congrats!