Sapporo Sushi

In the early weeks of October (the 7th to be precise) I was lucky enough to have an evening off from the hellheat of the kitchen, and take my girlfriend out on a date. We were both craving sushi, and we didn't want to drive very far. Out of the blue, we remembered a funny little sushi hole-in-the-wall called Sapporo Sushi.

Details:

Name: Sapporo Sushi

Location: 15583 Manchester Rd

Ballwin, MO 63011

Price: $90 (with tip, and we ordered about double of what we could eat)

Wait time: 20 minutes approx.

Parking: Limited, but very close

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As a jaded culinarian, I must say that I have never had a more enjoyable sushi experience. The appetizer was out within a few minutes, which will always reduce stress on the kitchen worker and keep you occupied while you wait for your food. We ordered the calamari rings, which came out quickly. They were tempura battered and cooked just past perfect, and came with a small compliment of tempura fried vegetables on the side. They were not very seasoned at all, but the soy sauce which came out with them seemed to imply that we were supposed to take care of that. We selected a couple of Japanese beers, Kirin Ichiban and Sapporo, and waited for our order.

What came out to us literally astounded us. The rice was perfectly seasoned, sticky and tender, the fish cold and fresh (enough, we ARE in Missouri.) The octopus and squid were world-changing, and being that they usually have to be frozen to be shipped safely, these showed perfect condition. The real show-stopper for us was how it was brought out to us. A picture is worth a thousand words, so

This is a veritable boat-load of sushi. We ate like royalty and had plenty of food to take home to friends.

But the magic didn't end at that. About 15 minutes into our meal we were asked by the manager if it would be alright for another patron to sing some karaoke. We of course said it would be alright, and then they begged s to finish our meal with them at the bar. We were convinced to sing as well, made new friends, and enjoyed a whole new sushi restaurant experience. We were brought a complementary fresh pineapple dessert, carved in the shape of a fish, and a couple more beers, which were practically bottomless. A perfect, once in a lifetime experience.

My final say on this location is to visit it on an empty night. A Tuesday or Wednesday will guarantee one-on-one service, but not a magic karaoke night with the owner and sushi chef.

Seal of approval: Granted. Would eat again!

-The0

Tone setting.

I usually try to be a harsh judge on restaurants. Working in one for a couple of years, with no foreseeable escape, has a tendency to horribly jade a person. As an angry culinary graduate, coming from the lap of luxury to the dust of the grinding stone, I think I can carry a bit of clout and a semi-sensitive palate. I take my word on a restaurant seriously, and though I show mercy on workers and the horrific days the kitchen renders, I put forth the best product I can offer daily. I expect the same. I hate food service. Hate it. Make your own damn dinner. Quit killing us and making us bend backwards simply to try and pay rent.

I apologize to every worker whom I make work harder, but this is me trying to get our word out.

-The0