samurai blue in ybor
mattThis past Friday night, before catching Alonzo Bodden at The Improv comedy club, we headed upstairs for dinner at Samurai Blue. The original Samurai Blue is located in the Centro Ybor entertainment complex in Ybor. A new location has opened in Westchase on Racetrack Rd.
We had dined once before at Samurai Blue about two years ago and had an okay meal. The kind of experience where you might try the place again if you’re in the area, but you aren’t in a rush to go back. After last week seeing Times restaurant critic Chris Sherman name Samurai Blue one of his five “best sushi” restaurants, we decided it was time to give the place another try.
Located inside the historic Centro Espanol building, the atmosphere of the Ybor location is hard to beat with its old-meets-new mix, which includes lots of exposed brick and towering 30-foot ceiling. On this visit, we decided to sit up at the sushi bar to be closer to the action. We started with a bottle of a refreshing cold sake and a grilled beef roll appetizer. The beef could have been more flavorful, but was solid. Little did we realize this dish would set the pace for the rest of the meal.
For our main course, I ordered three different kinds of sushi rolls and Traci went with the mango chicken. This large dish came with several chicken breasts served over white rice topped with diced fresh mango. I sampled the chicken, and it was juicy but not particuarly flavorful. While my sushi was fresh, it certainly wasn’t among the best sushi I’ve ever had. Maybe this was just bad luck on my part in the selections I made, but out of three sushi rolls, I’d expect one to be a knock-out.
Sushi joints aren’t cheap, and when you add just average-tasting sushi, and a fast, but unfriendly server to the mix, the net result is a fairly mediocre experience. Unfortunately, I felt like we did after the first time we visited Samurai Blue - in no rush to go back. The only other local sushi joint I’ve tried is Cafe Japon in International Plaza and I’m in no rush to revisit it either.
Note that Samurai Blue did average on its last health inspection report with 5 critical violations.
I’m not a big sushi person, but I would like to find one or two really good local sushi places. In my experience, some of the best sushi comes from small litle places where the sushi bar doesn’t feel like a giant assembly line. Fellow Sticksian Jason, has recommended I give a new restaurant called Sakana on south Gandy near MacDill a try. So what’s your favorite local sushi joint and why?
Bottom-line: Samurai Blue’s sushi didn’t knock my socks off, but the restaurant’s Ybor location, with its towering ceiling and old-meets-new vibe, still makes it a unique destination.
Inspection Scorecard: Last Inspection - August 2006 - Violations - Critical (5) , Non-Critical (2).
Tags: restaurant, review, tampa, ybor
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January 3rd, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I left a comment on your blog, but in short - Samurai Blue = Highly Overrated.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:12 pm
David, thanks for the feedback, yours and others confirm that i’m not missing something-
cheers
matt
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Try the place on MLK in St. Pete, across from Hook’s.
I don’t remember it’s name because one time I went there with Mark and the waitress totally ignored us *every* time she walked by. She kept being all friendly and helpful to other people, though.
I was fine with it, but Mark was starting to get really annoyed in that passive-agressive, overly-polite way he has and finally he couldn’t take it anymore and he shouted across the dining room, “EXCUSE ME!”
The whole place went dead silent and EVERYONE turned to look at us. I thought it was absolutely hilarious, and we had to take a break from going there until we decided the waitress was probably back in college or working at Wing House or something. Since then we’ve called it “The Excuse Me Place.”
Also, though, fresh, crunchy cucumber salad, nicely balanced negamaki, tasty veg and cooked options, and pleasant service every other time.
Lemme know if you wanna go and I’ll meet ya over there.
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Fuji Sushi on South Dale Mabry (next to Blockbuster in the strip next to the Neptune Publix). Hands down the best Sushi anywhere around. Lee, the sushi chef, is the friendliest guy. He will make things any special way you want them. The TD roll and white tuna tataki are to die for… I dream about them.
January 3rd, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Anonymous: thanks for the Fuji sushi suggestion, I tend to like smaller places like that. There is a sushi place is So. Pasadena (St. Pete Beach) we used to go to that is like that, chef talks to you etc.
Rachel: Thanks for the idea of the place in St. Pete on MLK, it sounds good too.
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:00 pm
you only waited two years to go back to samarai. i havent been back since ‘01. seemed a tad overpriced then, though, like a lot of tampa restaurants, i liked the decor. obviously, one cannot eat the decor, however.
then again, after youve doused it with soy sauce, ginger and wasabi, i find all sushi tastes pretty much the same. kind of like lobster. what people really like is the melted butter. the lobster is tasteless.
maybe im just not getting sushi as it should be. the stuff from kash n karry seems good enough to me.
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:25 pm
the new englanders on here are just gonna love your lobster comment…lol
January 3rd, 2007 at 9:53 pm
The place that Rachel is suggesting is Sushi Rock, right across from Hook’s on MLK (it’s at 1163 MLK). Despite the quality sushi available in Tampa (we live in Palma Ceia), we still make the drive to Sushi Rock all the time. Sushi Rock is by far our favorite.
We’ve had nothing but good service there and the sushi is WELL worth checking out. My girlfriend lives for the Godzilla roll, but the Red October is my thing. Plenty of great rolls to choose from though.
Also underrated is Matsoi on Dale Mabry. Consistently quality sushi and fast service.
Sakan on Gandy? Unfortunately, a mediocre (at best) experience for us. Though I liked how they used sesame oil (and hot sauce?) in their edamame.
There’s a new place on Seventh (where Xtreme Sushi failed miserably recently) that you should check out, Matt. Haven’t tried them yet, but they talk a good game.
Sushi Rock, though - a guaranteed smile!
January 3rd, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Gregory- thanks for the feedback on sushi rock (that’s two strong endorsements- a good sign!), sakana and the new place in ybor.
January 4th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Well, Water on S Howard was my favorite sushi joint for a long time. Last time I ate at Ciccio & Tony’s Water appeared to be closed and gone, but I drove by a couple nights ago and it appeared the lights were on inside. I’m not sure if it’s still open or not. It’s worth a shot.
I’m looking for any good sushi in south Tampa, too; walked right by Fuji Sushi a couple weeks ago and didn’t go in; I’ll have to try it. Has anyone tried Yoko’s on S Macdill?
January 4th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Smitty - we live very close to Yoko’s and never go. I haven’t been in years, so maybe this isn’t fair, but I recall it being mediocre and what really bothered me was always walking out smelling like tempura (small space and open cooking area). While you’re looking for sushi on Howard, check out SoHo Sushi next to Sangria. We’ve been there about 3 times and have never been disappointed. Just the obvious parking (and sometimes waiting) issues, depending on when you go.
January 4th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Yoko’s gets lots of raves, but my favorite by far is Koba, on S. MacDill, a few blocks north of Bay to Bay. Everything is very genuine and fresh. They even put “training wheels” (a rubber band) on my chopsticks!
January 5th, 2007 at 1:04 am
t.c. choy
January 5th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
T.C. Choy used to be one of my favorite Asian eateries, but they’ve suffered bougie disease in the past year or so and I’ve watched the menu get smaller, the prices higher and the portions smaller. Sushi is a high-priced way to eat to start - it doesn’t need Howard Ave. prices attached to it. (For those into Dim Sum, there is a GREAT Dim Sum joint on Fletcher Ave.)
Yoko’s really used to be our favorite spot, but I had one bad experience there in regards to a reservation and I’ve never been back. After a while of not going, I don’t even miss it. I won’t knock the food though.
Ichiban has always been a favorite. I’m not saying I’m an authority, but it always strikes me more as a family-style place, and I always like the service, food and prices. I’ve never been disappointed there.
January 14th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
If anyone want to try out a new sushi place, there is a new on on Dale Mabry north of bears in the TGIF plaza before Sams Club. Sushi alive. Try the Volcano Roll.
January 14th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
opps, forgot to say hi to everyone. Was searching for great food places in tampa and stumpled upon your blog. Have to say that I have a ways to go to try all the restaurants you guys mentioned.
January 16th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Long, thanks for the sushi restaurant suggestion. I don’t know that one.
So far, I don’t detect one hands-down favorite for sushi based on feedback.
Enjoy the rest of the week-
January 16th, 2007 at 10:25 am
I would reccommend Sakana on Gandy as well! The sushi chef, Hunter, has delivered the goods at such Tampa sushi highlights as Sushi on 7th, Jackson’d=s Bistro, and Bacchus. He definitely is a welcome sight back in Tampa after opening a couple succesful Japanese joints in Orlando with the group behind the new Sakana. I have been 3 times already, and will be back this weekend. Good stuff!
February 26th, 2007 at 1:34 am
Zen Bistro in Westchase is phenomenal and moderately priced. The decor is trendy and clean and the service is very friendly. The place is not big so the wait can be annoying when you are hungry but the wait is definately worth it. I used to go to Water sushi on South Howard but now the chef is at Zen and so my wife and I drive all the way across town to eat at his place. There is even a glass floor with a neat rock garden that you walk over to get to your table!
February 26th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Thanks for the heads up on Zen Bistro - sounds like a winner.
March 24th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Hi,
I would like to name a few sushi places that I enjoy eating at:
1) Corea Won on Fowler Ave
2) Sushi Alive on N. Dale Mabry
3) sushi lunch buffet at Ginza on Waters ave.
March 25th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for the sushi suggestions!
That’s at least the second vote I’ve seen for Sushi Alive.
April 1st, 2007 at 9:51 am
There’s a restaurant on Fowler near USF that I have been recently going to called Corea Won. From the outside it looks mediocre, but the inside looks totally different and unexpecting- nice decor, clean. Their sushi looks and tastes great, I have tried their korean food which is also worth trying.
April 1st, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I am still searching for ‘the One,’ an authentic-type sushi place that has a fairly large and unique variety of *fresh* fish and seafood to choose from. How come there are none that take advantage of the fresh caught spanish mackerel, pompano, yellowtail snapper and other locally available fish?
Sushi Rock (9th Street, Downtown St. Pete) and Blue Fugu (Dolphin Village, St. Pete Beach) are both pretty good. Blue Fugu has good selection, such as raw conch, uni, escolar and a few others. Sushi Rock had Bluefin toro, uni and amaebi, which were all really high-quality.
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Shiki Sushi Clearwater local fishes
September 10th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Zen bistro in westchase is hands down the best sushi place ever. Friendly staff, great music, BEST mixed drinks!! and best of all thursday nights, ladies drink free!! =) go try it out!
September 25th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Sushi alive is good, but I guess I am the odd man out.. I love samurai!
February 13th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I’ve had nothing but fantastic food there. I had sub par service one time out of 7 or 8 visits.Volcano roll one of the best rolls in city.Soho Sushi very friendly and great location.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I had dinner at Sakana and would not recommend it. The sushi was way overated, and they were out of almost everything. I accidently walked into the kitchen area while looking for the bathroom, and have to say “very questionable”! My friend had the baked tilapia which was not cooked properly and was very bland. I was even more dissappointed when the chef failed to remedy the issue, not what I was expecting. I will never again waste my night there. For great sushi try Yoko’s.
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Was just at Sakana, worst experience of my life!!!! Worst service ever. I was very unhappy with food and service. Hidden secret? I don’t think so. More like hidden nightmare.
March 20th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Samurai Blue is the worst sushi restaurant I have ever been to. Service was unforgivable, considering the sushi was not the best.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Just ate at Sushi Alive for the second time-both times were great-atmosphere-decor-service and food are excellent. The music is always interesting-asian-techno-dance and a Japanese movie is shown (silently) over the sushi bar area. Try the Godzilla roll for a tasty treat.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Very disappointed with my experience at Sakana Sushi restaurant. Service was awkward and bad. I felt like I was being hustled for a tip,definitely would not recommend it.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Have to honestly say Samurai Blue is my ultimate not only is the food amazing but the but chefs like Rich and servers like soomi stand out and make it what it is. Whenever I go i always try to sit in front of Rich he always knows the people who sit in front of him and always gives something new to try. Have to say I’ll probally stick to Samurai Blue as long as Rich is there.