South Florida has several phenomena -- for instance, it's warm in the winter. That warm weather motivates us to eat lighter. Mainly because it's year-round bikini season around here.
When we first started spending time here, we noticed that all of the sushi restaurants also served up Thai food. Perhaps it's to please everyone in your dining party -- we can't all love everything --so the Thai/Sushi combo eateries are smart for a South Florida audience.
We recently heard of a new (at least for us) sushi place right on the beach on the Galt Ocean. There aren't many places serving food on the beach, so we checked it out.
It's in the Ocean Manor Resort Hotel. Honestly, the hotel has seen better days and smelled a little musty when we walked in the lobby but we weren't there to stay, so we quickly walked through the lobby and headed for the welcoming doorway to the restaurant.
Owner Chef Mai honed his sushi skills at the venerable Nobu in Miami. Nobu Matsuhisa deserves his reputation as the premier sushi restaurateur, so when one of his disciples decides to leave the flock -- pay attention. Even our enthusiastic waitress, Tammy is an authentic import from Japan.
We asked Tammy for her recommendations, and she did not disappoint! The tiny lobster tacos had a tangy ceviche on top, and needed nothing added -- the spicy vinegar and zesty lime were perfect.
These tacos restored our faith in Fort Lauderdale sushi. We've spent years looking for Sushi down here that compares to Miami's finest or what we are used to up north.
Next up was their tuna tartare. Look at these popped chips. More than a festive plate, Tammy explained that they were made from shrimp and rice balls, and they magically expand when they hit the hot oil.
We asked what her favorite dish was. She recommended the slow roasted duck, which is first flash fried. What an inventive dish. Tasty sauce, easy to eat with chopsticks, and so tender that the long strips fell apart into perfect bites as I picked one up. I have found that brown food, especially meat does not photograph well, so you have to trust us on this and just order it!
Our dining companion wanted a sushi roll without rice, as she was avoiding carbs. Tammy suggested this one, the Salmon Naruto Roll, which is stuffed with fish and wrapped in refreshing, crisp cucumber. Good option, however they missed the mark on this slightly by adding too much sweet vinegar -- the roll drowned in it. A good tip would be to ask them to serve it on the side.
Those four dishes were enough for that night, but we aren't satisfied. We plan on going back to try their black cod in Miso sauce. This was originally created by Matsuhisa and once voted "Best Dish of the Year" in Los Angeles.
Not open for lunch, closed Mondays, but they have a happy hour Tuesday-Friday. They have all-you-can-eat lobster on Wednesday nights starting at 5PM. It's $39,95 per person, and Tammy suggested we always make a reservation. Not only is it popular, but if they start to run out of lobster, only those with reservations are safe and will be seated.
They have a nightclub offering a DJ and other live entertainment. The decor is fun and well-done. There is an outside tiki-bar near the beach, too. Valet parking is free with the restaurant's validation.
Tammy was the best side dish of the night -- she is a fun waitress, truly excited about their food. What welcome, refreshing attitude!
Great experience all around. We all have reasons to eat out. One of ours is to try things we either can't or won't prepare at home. By offering that, and doing it well, Tokyo Blue should enjoy a nice, more than seasonal run.
When we first started spending time here, we noticed that all of the sushi restaurants also served up Thai food. Perhaps it's to please everyone in your dining party -- we can't all love everything --so the Thai/Sushi combo eateries are smart for a South Florida audience.
We recently heard of a new (at least for us) sushi place right on the beach on the Galt Ocean. There aren't many places serving food on the beach, so we checked it out.
It's in the Ocean Manor Resort Hotel. Honestly, the hotel has seen better days and smelled a little musty when we walked in the lobby but we weren't there to stay, so we quickly walked through the lobby and headed for the welcoming doorway to the restaurant.
Owner Chef Mai honed his sushi skills at the venerable Nobu in Miami. Nobu Matsuhisa deserves his reputation as the premier sushi restaurateur, so when one of his disciples decides to leave the flock -- pay attention. Even our enthusiastic waitress, Tammy is an authentic import from Japan.
We asked Tammy for her recommendations, and she did not disappoint! The tiny lobster tacos had a tangy ceviche on top, and needed nothing added -- the spicy vinegar and zesty lime were perfect.
These tacos restored our faith in Fort Lauderdale sushi. We've spent years looking for Sushi down here that compares to Miami's finest or what we are used to up north.
Next up was their tuna tartare. Look at these popped chips. More than a festive plate, Tammy explained that they were made from shrimp and rice balls, and they magically expand when they hit the hot oil.
We asked what her favorite dish was. She recommended the slow roasted duck, which is first flash fried. What an inventive dish. Tasty sauce, easy to eat with chopsticks, and so tender that the long strips fell apart into perfect bites as I picked one up. I have found that brown food, especially meat does not photograph well, so you have to trust us on this and just order it!
Our dining companion wanted a sushi roll without rice, as she was avoiding carbs. Tammy suggested this one, the Salmon Naruto Roll, which is stuffed with fish and wrapped in refreshing, crisp cucumber. Good option, however they missed the mark on this slightly by adding too much sweet vinegar -- the roll drowned in it. A good tip would be to ask them to serve it on the side.
Those four dishes were enough for that night, but we aren't satisfied. We plan on going back to try their black cod in Miso sauce. This was originally created by Matsuhisa and once voted "Best Dish of the Year" in Los Angeles.
Not open for lunch, closed Mondays, but they have a happy hour Tuesday-Friday. They have all-you-can-eat lobster on Wednesday nights starting at 5PM. It's $39,95 per person, and Tammy suggested we always make a reservation. Not only is it popular, but if they start to run out of lobster, only those with reservations are safe and will be seated.
They have a nightclub offering a DJ and other live entertainment. The decor is fun and well-done. There is an outside tiki-bar near the beach, too. Valet parking is free with the restaurant's validation.
Tammy was the best side dish of the night -- she is a fun waitress, truly excited about their food. What welcome, refreshing attitude!
Great experience all around. We all have reasons to eat out. One of ours is to try things we either can't or won't prepare at home. By offering that, and doing it well, Tokyo Blue should enjoy a nice, more than seasonal run.
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