The first time I ever had sushi was at the Shogun restaurant in Salt Lake back in the early 90's. I was in this play and the director took all of us out and said we would love it. I kept waiting and waiting to love it but it never happened. Now that I've been in the business world the last 15 years sushi has moved from a novelty act to a full scale circus. Sushi places are popping up quicker than Walgreen's. Try as I might I can't help but think of sushi as an appetizer. I don't mind a few pieces but to eat a whole roll is a real stretch for me. But I need to make mention of a few places locally and nationally that I have really enjoyed the sushi. Here they are:
Ginza http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/54/590851/restaurant/Downtown/Ginza-Salt-Lake-City
For the longest time I had driven by this restaurant thinking it was a hair salon studio as their is a large marquee of a woman with a fashionable bob cut on the front of the building. I finally figured out it was a Japanese restaurant when some co-workers dragged me along. They were raving about a spicy roll called the Mars Twist. Needless to say I couldn't give into their hyperbole from past experiences. What a surprise it was for me that I enjoyed eating the whole roll by myself with a side of Edamame. I highly recommend this place if you count yourself a sushi connoisseur.
Ahh Sushi http://utah.citysearch.com/review/35671840
It's funny that the first comment on the citysearch site mentions the Funky Vegas roll as it is probably the 2nd best roll I've eaten. This is a cool little spot right down by the new City Center that will be completed shortly in Salt Lake.
Teriyaki Grill http://t-grill.com/menu-page/
First off I must say I always get the combo (steak and chicken) rice (if I'm really hungry) or noodle (if I'm almost really hungry) bowl. But I always get a roll to share with whoever I'm with. Why not have the best of both worlds with Japanese fusion establishments (fusion as far as sushi and rice bowls are concerned). You will love this place that is starting to franchise through Utah and just opened one up the road in Clinton.
Kona Grill http://www.konagrill.com/
For a national spot I will go with Kona Grill in Denver but I imagine their other locations are the same. I mentioned the pot stickers in my Denver post a while back but wanted to make sure I mention I have also enjoyed their sushi rolls as well. They have a sushi menu second to none and will have just about every type of sushi you can imagine on there.
So there you have it. From someone who is a timid sushi eater I stand by these selections if you want to impress your savvy sushi eating friends. Unless they are from mainland Japan you will be able to impress them. If you have some excellent choices I would love to hear about them and keep broadening my horizons.
Before I go I really have to say I need to try the Shogun again as it was a long time ago and people downtown really seem to like it so here is their link:
http://www.shogunslc.com/Shogun/Welcome.html
Sayonara for now!
